What would make a thermostat read higher than the actual room temperature? Does it mean it has an issue or is it usually just acting up? Let’s look at the causes and reasons a thermostat reads higher than actual temperature.
There are several causes of your thermostat reading a higher temperature than the room temperature. We will discuss all of them at length and offer solutions to help you fix them. Let’s dive right in.
Why Is Your Thermostat Reading a Higher Temperature?
The most obvious reason this would happen is that there is a problem with your thermostat. However, different things could make a thermostat read a higher temperature than the actual room temperature.
Let’s look at them.
- You Have Placed It at the Wrong Place
While true the thermostat reads the surrounding temperature before guessing the room temperature, that can only happen if you place it centrally. If it is at a place with high temperatures, you will see it record a higher temperature than other areas.
Say, for instance, you have your thermostat next to the fireplace or the window. The temperature will consistently be higher than your actual temperature. At the window, the thermostat will be susceptible to temperature changes on the outside. Therefore, if it is hot outside, the thermostat will have a higher temperature than the actual temperature.
The location of the thermostat does matter, after all.
- The Sensor Has Malfunctioned
The sensor is an integral part of the while thermostat’s system. It is the one that reads the temperature before the thermostat can respond accordingly. Therefore, if it has an issue, then the thermostat won’t read the temperature correctly.
It is common to see a thermostat with a malfunctioning sensor read a higher temperature than the actual temperature.
- The Air Filter Is Choking with Dirt
An air filter in any HVAC system forms a barrier between dirty air and clean air. The filter rids the air passing through of all kinds of debris to avoid spreading it across the room. When too much dirt accumulates in this filter, the thermostat cannot read the room temperature accurately.
That means it might read a higher or lower temperature than the actual one. That will mess with the way the Ac unit will work.
- It Is not Level
This might surprise you, but an unlevel thermostat might read a higher temperature than the actual temperature. The tilting interferes with the thermostat’s sensors and makes it harder to match the current room temperature.
That might cause the thermostat’s temperature to be higher than the room’s actual temperature.
- Low Battery
If your thermostat works with batteries and you detect it reading a higher temperature than the actual temperature, check its batteries. That should be among the first things you check out for before doing anything else.
A low battery messes with the proper function of the thermostats causing it to read higher temperatures.
- The Thermostat is Becoming too Old
Like humans, thermostats are also susceptible to the vagaries of old age. The only difference is that thermostats have a shorter shelf life than humans. If you see your thermostat reading a higher temperature than the room temperature, it could mean that it’s getting too old.
Even appliances that have served us best tend to lose some of their functionality after becoming old. It, therefore, might just be the case that your thermostat has lost its fine touch to old age.
Read Also: How To Remove Old Honeywell Thermostat from Wall – 6 Easy Steps
How do You Solve This Issue?
Whenever you encounter this problem, the first thing you should do is check the batteries. If your thermostat uses batteries, you can quickly tell whether it’s the batteries that are the issue or something else.
- Move it to the Best Location
The thermostat shouldn’t be at places such as the fireplace, window, or a heat-emitting machine. It would help if you placed it as centrally as possible and away from any appliances that might affect its temperature reading ability.
- Make It Level
If you have determined that the unlevel pacing has made your thermostat malfunction, then make it level. That might mean getting something flat to place it on so that the sensors are working in good order.
- Get an HVAC professional To Check the Sensor
It might take a pro to know if the sensor is the problem. That’s why it’s a good idea to call a professional to check it for you. They are the best bet on your understanding, whether if it’s the sensors with an issue or another part.
Most likely, they might recalibrate it or recommend you replace it.
- Clean the Air Filter
Check the air filter for dirt and clean it. A soft hand brush will help clean the filter easily. Regular maintenance should help prevent the thermostat from reading the wrong temperatures from this issue.
- Replace it With a New One
How long ago did you buy your thermostat? If the answer is long enough, then maybe it’s time to part with it. You might have gotten attached to it, but you don’t need to hang on too long if it isn’t working for you.
How Does a Thermostat Reading a Higher Temperature Affect the Room Temperature?
If you have a thermostat in your house, then it means that you need to warm up the house, especially in the winter. Therefore, if it reads higher temperatures, then it won’t do its work that well. You will have it struggle to warm up your house, and you wouldn’t like that.
That’s why it’s a big deal when a thermostat reads higher than the actual temperature. The same goes for when it reads lower than the room temperature.
In The End
It goes without saying that if you properly maintain your thermostat, it should spring up issues. Clean it regularly, change the location from time to time and call an HVAC professional to check it if you see any issue.
That way, you won’t ever be in a situation where the thermostat reads higher temperature than actual temperature.
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