Check Thermostat Calibration
Why It Matters
An inaccurate thermostat wastes energy by running your system when it does not need to, adding up to hundreds in extra costs per year.
Quick Guide
- 1
Gather your tools and materials
You'll need: Separate thermometer for comparison. Materials required: necessary materials.
- 2
Perform the check thermostat calibration
Verify your thermostat reads the correct temperature and adjust or recalibrate if needed.
- 3
Verify and clean up
Check that the work was completed correctly and clean up your workspace. If if thermostat is more than 3 degrees off, consider calling a professional.
Tools & Materials
Tools
- Separate thermometer for comparison
Community Tips
Place a separate thermometer—such as a ThermoPro Digital Thermometer ($15-25)—in the room being monitored and let it stabilize for 15 minutes before comparing it to your thermostat's display; a variance of more than 2°F indicates calibration drift that will cause energy waste and comfort issues.
A dual-probe thermometer like the Extech TM500 ($40-60) allows simultaneous measurement of thermostat reading versus actual room temperature, eliminating the guesswork and providing data to share with an HVAC technician if recalibration is needed.
Calibration errors exceeding 3°F typically signal a faulty sensor that cannot be corrected through user adjustment alone; attempting repeated recalibrations without professional inspection can lead to short-cycling and premature compressor failure costing $1,500+ in repairs. ---