Has this ever happened to you? You’ve got the air conditioning on in your home, but the air still feels too warm or sticky. The issue might not be with your HVAC unit itself, but with your thermostat. Is Florida’s high humidity to blame?
The short answer is “yes”. High humidity can affect your thermostat, which in turn can make your air conditioning less effective.
How Thermostats Work
A thermostat has a built-in temeprature sensor that reads how hot or cold the room is, so it can decide if the room is at the correct temperature or if it needs to be hotter or colder. However, these thermostat sensors are also very sensitive and can easily be tricked.
If you’re wondering how thermostats work with sensors, it’s important to know that there are two types. A mechanical thermostat uses bimetallic strips to gauge temperatures, while digital models use digital sensors to give thermostat readings.
What Causes a Thermostat to Lose Accuracy
Several factors can result in a thermostat not reading correctly, including:
- Dust buildup
- The age of the unit
- Excessive exposure to sunlight
- Electrical surges
- Location issues (i.e., too close to windows, kitchens, vents, etc)
Many thermoatat issues Florida are caused by one or more of these issues, although it’s also important to consider humidity, which is often overlooked as a contributing factor.
Florida’s Humidity: A Silent Saboteur
High indoor humidity levels can trick the sensor into thinking a room is warmer than it actually is. A room at 70 degrees and 60% humidity will be warmer than a room at 70 degrees and 35% humidity, even though they’re both at 70 degrees.
This Florida humidity thermostat trickery means the device’s sensors will misinterpret a room’s warmth, which leads to AC short cycling or AC that runs constantly. This wears out the machine faster and can make a room too cold or too hot.
Signs Your Thermostat May Need Calibration
Here are a few major thermostat calibration signs to consider:
- Room feels warmer or colder than it should because of inaccurate thermostat
- Some rooms are hotter/colder than others
- Your energy bills are higher than they used to be
- AC system cycling (i.e, turns on and off too much)
If any of these sound familiar, especially energy bill AC issues, it’s time to get your thermostat calibrated.
How to Check If Your Thermostat Is Off
For thermostat troubleshooting, here’s a simple DIY test. Get a room thermometer not connected to your thermostat and set it on a flat surface for about 15 to 20 minutes. If this room thermometer comparison shows a difference of more than a degree or two, it’s time to get your thermostat calibrated.
How to Calibrate Your Thermostat (or When to Replace)
Although the exact instructions to fix thermostat Florida will vary by model, here are a few basic tips that should apply to most units. For mechnical units, you’ll need to manually adjust the screws. Digital units can be calibrated through settings or a phone app, if you have one.
However, if the thermostat is more than 10 years old or you keep having issues regardless of the number of times you calibrate thermostat, it’s probably better to replace the unit.
Preventing Future Thermostat Issues
There are a few steps you can take to prevent thermostat issues in the future. First, the unit should be placed away from sunlight, vents, and appliances, as the additional heat these generate can interfere with performance.
Additionally, here are a few HVAC maintenance tips you can use: dust regularly, check the battery once a month, and undergo an annual HVAC inspection.
It’s also a good idea to find a smart thermostat Florida dealer who can set you up with a unit. These devices have improved sensors and can often be used with phone apps and even voice commands.
When to Call a Professional
If the above calibration tips haven’t worked, it’s time to call a thermostat professional service. They can inspect your thermostat, its sensors, and check the humidity balance within the device.
Even better, these Thermostat repair Florida services are often bundled into other season tune-ups for your home, which saves you both time and money.
Don’t Let Humidity Win—Book Your Thermostat Service
If your thermostat is having problems in Tampa, Florida, or the surrounding areas, you need Tampa One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating. Our experts have plenty of experience with Florida climate-specific HVAC challenges and provide a wide variety of thermostat-related services, including local calibration.
Don’t wait until it’s too late! Pick up the phone and contact us to schedule your fast, on-time thermostat repair service today!
Remember, with Tampa One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating, if we’re not on time, you don’t pay a dime!
FAQs
Can humidity affect my thermostat reading?
Yes, high humidity can trick a thermostat into thinking a room is hotter than it actually is.
How do I know if my thermostat is off?
If rooms are hotter or colder than they should be, if your energy bills are more expensive than usual, or if the AC is running too often, your thermostat may be off.
Should I replace my thermostat in Florida?
If your thermostat is more than 10 years old or has repeated issues that require constant fixes, it should be replaced.
What’s the best thermostat for high humidity?
The best thermostat for high humidity is one that has been properly calibrated. Ideally, a smart thermostat system should be used.
How often should I calibrate my thermostat?
With Florida’s climate, it’s a good idea to calibrate your thermostat at least a few times a year, especially at the beginning of summer and the beginning of winter.