Understanding How Thermostats Work

Person adjusting thermostat to 68 degrees during Atlanta winter

Many people don't know how their thermostats work, and as a result, they may not be getting the most out of them. This article will explain what your thermostat is telling you about your home's temperature and how to adjust it for maximum comfort.

The Sensors

Sensors are central to how thermostats work. If you are using a programmable thermostat, the first thing to understand is that your new gadget takes information from two different sensors. One sensor reads the temperature in one spot of your home while another measures it at a second point. It then combines this information with some other numbers before telling the furnace or air conditioning system what to do.

The Data

This is the information your thermostat gives to the furnace or air conditioning system. The numbers you need to look at are: what temperature your home is, how long it will take for that temperature to occur and whether there's significant humidity in the house. From those three pieces of data, a programmable thermostat can figure out just how long it will take to get your home to the temperature you want and whether turning on the AC or furnace will help dehumidify your home.

There are a lot of different numbers on thermostat screens, but these three pieces of data are the most important for setting up your thermostat correctly and understanding how your thermostat works. You'll need to find out what each one means for your climate and set the thermostat accordingly. Different climates have different ideal temperatures, so don't be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you. With a little bit of experimentation, you can ensure that your thermostat is always working as efficiently as possible!

What About Manual Thermostats?

If you're using a manual thermostat, all of this information is still important, but you'll need to use a little more intuition. You'll want to find the temperature that feels most comfortable for you and set your thermostat accordingly. Again, don't be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for your home!

As with anything else in life, getting the most out of your thermostat requires a bit of knowledge and experimentation. Once you understand how it works, you can start adjusting it to fit your needs and save yourself some money on heating and cooling bills!

If you're still having trouble understanding your thermostat, or if it's not working properly, don't hesitate to call the professionals at Moncrief. They will be able to help diagnose any problems and get your heating and air in Atlanta & Roswell working well.

Want to learn more about the heating system in your home? Read: Boiler vs. Furnace vs. Hot Water Heater – What's the Difference?