The thermostat for your Jacksonville, FL home’s heating and cooling system is responsible for controlling your comfort. To do so, this crucial device must be properly calibrated. Read on to find out what proper thermostat calibration involves, why it’s important to your comfort, and signs your thermostat may not be properly calibrated.

What Thermostat Calibration Is

All thermostats have some form of control element. It senses the indoor air temperature and communicates to the heating or cooling system when to initiate a cycle. Proper calibration ensures that this sensor correctly reads your home’s temperature. The process involves matching adjusting the control element’s reading to the room’s temperature. You can check your thermostat’s calibration with a room thermometer. Place the thermometer a few inches away from your thermostat. Allow it to take a reading. If it’s more than 1 degree Fahrenheit different from what your thermostat shows, your thermostat may not be calibrated properly.

Why Thermostat Calibration is Key to Your Comfort

An improperly calibrated thermostat can read the temperatur4e incorrectly and cause your system to malfunction. This may lead to you constantly adjust the thermostat. Frequent readjustment of your thermostat could increase your electricity bills by 10 percent or more. Proper calibration ensures that your home’s temperature is the same as the reading on the thermostat. A properly calibrated thermostat helps to eliminate hot and cold spots in your home and ensure consistent comfort.

Causes and Signs of an Improperly Calibrated Thermostat

Excessive dust buildup, bumping the thermostat, or a loss of power may cause it to lose calibration. According to the Department of Energy, poor temperature control and erratic behavior of your air conditioning system are signs of improper thermostat calibration. An improperly calibrated thermostat may trigger too many or too few cooling cycles. If you notice any of these signs, arrange an HVAC service call.

To learn more about HVAC thermostats and availale upgrade options, take a look at our control and thermostat services or contact Willman Air today.