Did this question ever cross your mind how does a thermostat work in a house? For most people thermostat is a device that is used by setting the temperature once and barely touched again until the temperature isn’t suitable for the people of the house. A thermometer is used to calculate the temperature of the room but the thermostat is used to control it.

The thermostat is an important device for regulating your home’s heating and cooling system. So you must know how it actually works. In this article, we have tried to give you a clear concept of how does a thermostat work in a house.

What is a thermostat?

Before knowing how does a thermostat work you should know what is actually a thermostat. A thermostat is a device that is connected to the home’s main heating system. It is used to control the whole temperature system by regulating the temperature of the house. The thermostat word came from two ancient Greek words “Thermo” which means HEAT and “Statos” which means STANDING.

There are a number of features in a thermostat. They are:

• Some thermostats are battery-operated and wireless.
• Others have wires connecting them to the boiler.
• Programmable thermostats run the heating on a specified schedule at specific periods of the day.
• Thermostats that learn and adapt to your routine are known as smart thermostats.

Types of thermostats

There are basically two types of thermostats. Such as:

• Traditional analog temperature dials:  This kind of thermostat basically uses two strips of metal. They are called bimetallic strips in the thermostat’s sensor. While the house’s temperature raises and reduces again the two types of metal expand and contract and this turns on and off the electric circuit that is connected to your heating system.
• Modern digital thermostats: These kinds of thermostats use more sensitive electronic sensors that help to read the temperature of the rooms and control the heating system within 1 degree of the chosen setting. There are also electromechanical thermostats which are mechanical and digital.

The temperature you should select

For different kinds of people, the correct setting can be different as the different temperature is comfortable for different people. Some people like a hot environment whereas some people like a cooler environment. Most people like to set the central heating system between 18 to 21 degrees. Particularly the old age people in the winter season like to have the temperature a bit higher than this.

It is advised to start from a lower range and go higher from there. The main reason for this is to save energy costs. Even a one-degree reduction can save a lot of money throughout the year. So setting a lower range has a clear advantage.

How a thermostat works

The working principle of a thermostat is simple. As the thing’s heat raises, they expand and when it gets reduced they contract and it is called thermal expansion. Most people have an electronic thermostat in their homes. But the older houses have electromechanical thermostats and each of them works differently.

Electronic thermostats are simple to understand. They basically work like a small computer using sensors to calculate if your home is at the right temperature or not. They also come with the features like programmable settings and wifi settings that allow you to keep your home at various temperatures during the day or night.

Electromechanical thermostats are a bit harder to understand. They basically contain a bi-metal coil or a metal strip. When the temperature alternates this coil will get moved and will cause a vial containing mercury. The mercury flows to one end of the vial, indicating that the heating or cooling system must be activated.

How to set your temperature to save energy

While the thermostat working it will be really helpful if it saves energy. There are several ways to set the temperature of the thermostat to save energy. Such  as:

1. Know the temperature outside

While your thermostat is regulating the temperature inside your home it will be fighting against the outside temperature. It means the bigger the temperature difference between the two temperatures, the harder it will be for the system to work. So to save your energy make sure that the temperature of the outside is as you expect.

2. Keep patience 

If it is extremely hot or cold you might crank the temperature of the thermostat up or down and hope that it will help you to get comfortable as fast as possible. For this reason, you might end up using much more energy than usual time. Your home won’t warm up or cool down faster as you set the temperature extremely high or low. So be patient to get your home to the correct temperature and it will help you to save energy

3. Make the most of your programmable features

Do you have an electronic thermostat?? Then make the most use of the programmable features that comes with it. Set your thermostat temperature near to the outside temperature when you are away from home. The programmable features will help your temperature to change after you are away from home and will set back before you return home. This will help you to save energy.

4. Make use of energy-efficient alternatives

When you really want to save energy, the amount you use on your heating and cooling system can make a huge impact here. There will be some days when it will be difficult for you to pass without the air conditioning or heat, energy-efficient alternatives can help you cut back the number of days while the system is running. As a result, your energy will be saved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the best way to replace a thermostat?

Answer: This is a DIY project that is not for the faint of heart if you wish to convert an analog thermostat to a digital or smart thermostat. It necessitates unrivaled electrical safety, so don’t attempt to replace your thermostat unless you’re certain in your knowledge of safe electrical protocol. If you’re handy with electronics, check out our step-by-step instructions on how to repair a thermostat.

2. What is the purpose of a radiator thermostat?

Answer: A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) is a cylindrical gauge with numbers ranging from 0 to 6 that sits on one side of the radiator at the bottom. These TRVs let you control the set point of each individual radiator they’re installed on. This means, for example, that you can turn on all of your radiators in the house except those in areas that aren’t frequently used, saving energy and money.

3. What is the purpose of a thermostat?

Answer: Metal strips stretch and contract, switching your heating on and off, in an analog thermostat. A more accurate electronic sensor is found in a digital thermostat.

4. When it’s cold outside, do you adjust the thermostat up or down?

Answer: Set your thermostat to the lowest setting that you feel comfortable once it’s been fitted. This will be between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius for the majority of individuals. You shouldn’t have to fiddle with it; it’s the thermostat’s responsibility to keep the temperature where you want it.

Final Words

Thermostats are very important devices when it comes to regulating your home’s temperature properly. So if you know how does a thermostat work it will be beneficial for you to handle it properly. We hope that if you read this article properly you will have a clear idea of the working principle of a thermostat in your home.