# Three S’s That Prevent Your Thermostat from Reading Accurately

- Link: https://alpscomfortair.com/three-ss-prevent-thermostat-reading-accurately/
- Published: 2018-01-24T17:54:22+00:00
- Author: kathypuig

It’s another beautiful day in Southern California. Outside the sun is shining and
the birds are singing. But inside, it feels more like a cold night in December. 
If your thermostat displays a reading of 75 degrees, but it feels more like 65 degrees,
it may be time for an inspection.

There are several factors that can affect the accuracy of your thermostat. As the
temperature gatekeeper, it is the thermostat’s job to keep your home comfortable.
If it is unable to correctly read the room, it will deliver the wrong information
to your HVAC system. This will force your unit to cool or heat too much, or too 
little, which will not be a comfortable experience for you or your family.

The following three S’s are the most common causes of thermostat misreading. Find
out how to correct them before they mess with your home.

### Site

The position of your thermostat will have a major influence on its readings. For
example, if it is located in a hallway with inadequate airflow, it is not going 
to be able to provide an accurate reading.

Make sure your thermostat is far from the kitchen. A hot oven or cooking on the 
stovetop will raise the temperature of the surrounding areas. If your thermostat
gets wind of this heat, it will instruct your A/C to turn on.

If you realize that your thermostat and your kitchen are too close for comfort, 
we can help!

### Source

Heat sources are not just a problem in the kitchen. Fireplaces and washer/dryers
will heat up whatever rooms they are in. Light bulbs emit more heat than you would
expect. Large televisions and appliances also emit heat energy. Your thermostat 
is delicate and needs its own space. Make sure it has room to breathe, away from
sources of heat.

If your thermostat is too cozy with a hot appliance, let us know.

### Sunlight

Sunlight is a great way to warm up a room without turning on your HVAC system. But
it is not so great for your thermostat. Direct sunlight will cause your thermostat
to think it’s warmer your home than it actually is. Your A/C can switch on and not
know when to turn off because the thermostat won’t cool off until the sun goes down.
This can cause your A/C to work too hard or too long to cool down your home.

On the flipside, if you’re trying to warm up your home, and the heat from the sun
is on your thermostat. The unit may shut off before your home has actually reached
a comfortable temperature.

If you suspect your thermostat is no longer providing accurate readings, [give us a call](https://alpscomfortair.com/contact-us/)!

For more helpful tricks and tips, follow us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AlpsACandHeating/)!