Tools and Materials
Tools
Types of Thermostat
Before you learn how to adjust a thermostat, you must understand which type of thermostat you have. Calibrating is different for each type.
Non-Programmable
- Most commonly used for air conditioning or furnaces, they come with only one heating and one cooling setting. Standard digital display, hot and cool buttons to control temperature and last is an on-off switch for the fan.
- Specially made for heat pumps. They have two heat settings and one cool setting.
- The first switch is for heating the room gradually and normally, but the second one is for emergency heating.
Programmable
- They are energy-saving and have two hot-two cool modes. You can just switch them according to the temperature of the day. In this one, you don’t have to adjust the temperature manually.
Touchscreen
- Simple to install and easy to use, just like your phone.
- There is no hassle with buttons, so you don’t have to worry about buttons getting jammed.
- On the other side, they are not connected to Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi Connected or Wireless
- It is one of the most top-tier options available and can be used from anywhere across the home.
Learning Thermostat
- They are the most advanced ones available. You will have to change the temperature for the first few times manually, but after that, it will alter the settings according to the room’s temperature.
Does your Thermostat need Calibration
Before you learn how to calibrate a thermostat, you should know if it needs to be calibrated. These are some of the signs that something might be wrong with your thermostat.
- The first one, and the easiest one to notice, is the spike in energy bills. If your thermostat has gone bad, it will give different readings that might not match the temperature or might be running without your knowledge, leading to higher bills.
- Second, the thermostat's varying temperature. If your room temperature is not what you’ve set on the thermostat, it is another sign that it needs to be calibrated.
Safety Measures
Before you start working, ensure you have taken all the necessary safety measures.
Step-by-Step Guide
Different types of thermostats have different ways to be calibrated.
Manual Thermostat
- First, use a screwdriver to take out the cover of your thermostat. After this, clean off the dirt using a brush or blow dryer. Next, check if all the wires are intact and not damaged. If damaged, take them out and change them.
- Next, we will adjust or fine-tune the temperature. Use the manual to find the screw for calibration. Turn the screw to match the temperature of the thermostat to the room temperature.
- Turn the HVAC system and the power back on, and the power. Turn on the thermostat and wait a few minutes for it to adjust to the temperature.
Digital Thermostat
- Check the room temperature using an infrared thermometer and compare it to the thermostat to see the difference.
- Go to Menu button > Preferences > Advanced Preferences> Keep hitting ‘next’ until you see ‘ Indoor display offsets ‘showing indoor temperature and humidity.
- Adjust the temperature according to the difference that was recorded with the thermometer, then press ‘Done’.
- Check if the temperature matches with the thermometer. If not, then repeat the process again.
Maintenance and Storage
Cleaning a thermostat is not the only thing that comes under maintenance, there are various other factors that need to be included.
- Place the thermostat away from direct sunlight and doors or windows. If kept under direct light or in contact with outside air, it will give a higher or lower temperature reading depending on the temperature outside.
- Keep checking the temperature of the thermostat with a thermometer from time to time. And calibrate it. If you have to calibrate it too many times in a month, then it might be faulty and need to be replaced with a new one.
- Brush the insides of the thermostat properly to remove all the debris and wipe it clean with a normal cloth or tissue.
- Check if the wiring is intact.