On occasion, you should test your thermostat with a thermometer to verify that it is giving accurate readings. Place your thermometer next to your thermostat for around ten minutes, and then compare the readings of each. As long as they read within 5 degrees of each other, then your thermostat is functioning properly. If the readings are greater than 5 degrees from each other, then it needs to be replaced (if electronic) or recalibrated (if Mercury switch based).

Many people make the simple mistake of lowering the thermostat by too much in the evening. If the thermostat change is greater than ten degrees, it could incur a greater cost than expected. When the morning comes, the furnace will have to work even harder to make up for that 10 degree drop. Also of note, if the temperature outside is going to be around 0 degrees or colder, then you should not even bother lowering the thermostat on that night, as it will prove unnecessary and cause inefficiency.

Check the position of your thermostat in the room, even if it has been in that position for awhile. The installer may actually have made a mistake, and there is a chance that the thermostat has not even been installed in the proper location. There is also a chance that something has been changed or added later on that is allowing for a false reading to be given. You should be checking your thermostat in order to make sure that you are not getting a draft from somewhere else. You should also make sure that nothing hot is present around the location of your thermostat, such as a radio or a television for example, as these items are more than capable of forcing false readings out of your thermostat.

If you do realize that your thermostat is in need of being replaced, or if you realize that you need to change the location of your thermostat, then this can be done quite easily. If you need to relocate your thermostat, then you should make sure that you are checking the specifications by the owner for each unit. All you are going to have to do is run some brand new wiring to the chosen location. This is going to take a little bit of time and some decent labor, but it can definitely be done. If you are replacing an older thermostat, the process is much simpler. There are typically two pieces to a thermostat, the base and the body.

The head or body is the unit that you actually see on the wall, containing the controls. The base is the piece that is screwed into your wall. Make sure that you turn the power off to your thermostat before you remove it, and follow all manufacturer instructions when installing the new one. If you don't follow the manufacturer instructions, there is a good chance that you will end up causing damage to your home, your thermostat or yourself, which means that being careful is definitely necessary.

Photo Credits: Roadsidepictures

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Air Conditioning, Handy Man, Heating, Thermostats

Tags:

accurate readings, degree drop, false readings, furnace, inefficiency, mercury, mercury switch, mistake, proper location, radio, television, thermometer, thermostat