When your room feels too hot or too cold, you simply reach for the thermostat. But how does it really work? We don’t really think about it, but it pays to be aware of how this device controls your home’s temperature. Your trusted heating and air conditioning contractors discuss how it works in simple terms.
The Mechanics Behind the Thermostat
To better understand how a thermostat works, it’s worth noting its mechanical aspect. After all, most devices start out as such before electronic ones came along with programmable features and Wi-Fi capabilities.
Non-electronic thermostats use substances that change size or shape as the temperature increases. An example would be those with bi-metal coils or strips. Here, the combined piece of brass and iron move with the changes in temperature, causing a vial of mercury in it to tip to one side. The heating and cooling functions turn on and off once the liquid metal flows to one end of the vial.
Another example would be the gas-filled bellows placed between a pair of metal discs. The large surface area of the discs allows for the gas to respond quickly to temperature changes. In fact, this works better than bi-metal ones, which take a long time to heat up or cool down.
Important Reminders
Any thermostat, whether it is mechanical or electronic, must not be subjected to too many changes in temperature. Turning it up or down every now and then can cause energy waste, not to mention potentially irreparable damage to your system. When this happens, obtaining HVAC replacement services would be necessary.
To ensure that your heating and cooling systems are in good working condition, turn to Lone Star Comfortaire. Our certified HVAC technicians promptly respond to service calls, repair existing systems, and install new systems, with our clients’ satisfaction in mind.
Give us a call at (972) 578-1701 to learn more about our services or inform us about your concerns, including HVAC repair costs. You can also fill out our contact form for a free no-obligation quote. We serve residents of Texas, including McKinney, TX.