While the location is most important, you could be making some other mistakes with your smart home technology. Keep reading to learn what you can do to avoid common issues and keep your thermostat working perfectly.
Causes of an Incorrect Temperature Reading
- Picking up interference from an outside source Dirt or debris accumulation on the device’s interior Issues with the connection to your HVACConfigurations within the provider’s app
How to Correct Inaccurate Temperature Readings
That being said, the user does not have control over what other devices are being used. If you’re experiencing issues, doing some troubleshooting is your best bet for solving them.
Install Your Thermostat in the Best Location
Like in the real estate industry, the most important factor when installing a new thermostat is location, location, location! The openings on the back of your device are used to sense temperature and humidity. If this area is blocked or influenced by outside sources, the temperature may not read correctly.
When deciding where to put a new device in your home, look around and see what items may produce hot or cold temperatures. Even things like high-wattage lightbulbs can affect the temperature reading if the thermostat is placed close enough.
Regularly Clean the Interior of Your Device
You’ll need the following items to clean your thermostat:
- WaterA soft brushRubbing alcoholA microfiber cloth
After removing the faceplate, take a soft brush and cloth, dampen it with water, and pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto it. Gently wipe away any debris from all visible areas.
While cleaning your device, it is important to inspect the wiring and technical parts. Corrosion, lint, and dust can build up on the wiring and prevent the electrical current from passing through. We recommend calling an HVAC technician if you are uncomfortable with this part of the cleaning process.
Ensure Correct Wiring to Your HVAC
Some common mistakes are not turning off every other thermostat in your house during configuration or selecting the wrong time when manually setting up the temperature schedule. For example, if you normally wake up at 8 AM and want your home’s temperature to rise a few degrees at that time, you may be surprised when your home warms up at 8 PM instead!
Recalibrate Your Thermostat
The simplest way to calibrate your thermostat is to utilize a very accurate thermometer. Take this thermometer and place it on your thermostat to see if the reading matches. You may also purchase an AC-specific thermostat to compare readings.
Ensure that neither the thermometer nor the thermostat is affected by sunlight, an air vent, or any other appliance that might produce hot or cold temperatures. Once you’ve compared these readings, refer to the product’s manual and follow instructions to reset the device.
