Thermostat is a common aircon term that we come across often. This is an air conditioner component that is responsible for temperature controlling. To know the function and working process of the aircon, knowing about thermostat is important. Let’s know what thermostat is on aircon, how it works and how to control the aircon with this component. Let’s get started.
What Does Thermostat Mean?
A thermostat is a small device inside your aircon that controls the room temperature. It checks how warm or cold the air is. Then it tells the aircon when to start or stop blowing cool air.
In simple terms, a thermostat helps keep your room at the temperature you want.
Components of Aircon Thermostat
Below are the main components of an aircon thermostat:
1. Temperature Sensor
- Detects the current room temperature.
- Usually a thermistor or a digital sensor.
2. Control Board (Circuit Board)
- The brain of the thermostat.
- Processes temperature data and sends signals to the aircon system.
3. Display Panel
- Shows the set temperature and mode.
- Found on digital and programmable thermostats.
4. Adjustment Buttons or Dials
- Lets users set their desired temperature and modes.
- Can be buttons, touchpads, or rotary knobs.
5. Relay or Switch
- Turns the air conditioner’s compressor and fan on or off.
- Works based on signals from the control board.
6. Housing or Casing
- Protects the internal components.
- Often wall-mounted or built into the aircon unit.
7. Battery (Optional)
- Some thermostats have internal batteries to retain settings during power cuts.
Why Is the Thermostat Important in an Aircon?
The thermostat is the brain of your air conditioner. Without it, your aircon wouldn’t know when to cool the room or when to stop. That means your room might get too cold or stay too warm.
Here’s why aircon requires thermostat:
- It needs to stop the cooling when the temperature reaches to the desired level.
- It keeps your room comfortable without needing you to adjust the remote all the time.
- It prevents overcooling, which can waste electricity.
How Does an Aircon Thermostat Work?
The thermostat starts working by checking the air temperature around it. For example:
- You set your desired temperature on the remote, for example, 25°C.
- The thermostat reads the room temperature. If it’s hotter than 25°C, the aircon will keep cooling.
- Once the room reaches 25°C, the thermostat tells the system to stop cooling.
- If the room gets warm again, the thermostat will turn the cooling back on.
This cycle keeps repeating to maintain the temperature you’ve set.
Types of Thermostats in Air Conditioners
Air conditioners may use different kinds of thermostats depending on the model and technology. Here are the most common types:
Mechanical Thermostat
- Uses a physical sensor like a metal strip to detect heat.
- Found in older aircon units.
- Less accurate but still works fine in small rooms.
Digital Thermostat
- Uses electronic sensors to detect temperature.
- Common in modern aircon units.
- Offers better accuracy and often comes with a display screen.
Programmable Thermostat
- You can set different temperatures for different times of the day.
- Great for saving energy.
- More common in central or smart aircon systems.
Smart Thermostat
- Works with Wi-Fi and mobile apps.
- Learns your habits and adjusts the temperature by itself.
- Not common in regular wall units but used in advanced systems.
What Happens If the Thermostat Stops Working?
If the thermostat in your aircon fails, your air conditioner may:
- Aircon turn on and off automatically at the wrong times.
- Not cool the room at all.
- Keep running without stopping.
- Show the wrong temperature on the screen.
How to Know If the Thermostat Is Faulty
Here are some signs that your thermostat may not be working properly:
- The room feels too cold or too hot even after setting the right temperature.
- The aircon shuts off too soon or keeps running.
- The display screen is blank or shows the wrong temperature.
- Your electricity bill has increased without any extra use.
How to Test Your Aircon Thermostat
To test whether your aircon thermostat is working properly, you can follow below steps:
- Set a different temperature and wait to see if the aircon responds.
- Use a separate room thermometer to check if the aircon is cooling as it should.
- Turn off and turn on the aircon to see if the thermostat resets.
If none of these work, it’s best to call a technician.
Can You Replace an Aircon Thermostat?
Yes, you can replace a broken or old thermostat. For many models, especially split-type units, the thermostat is inside the indoor unit. A trained technician can remove the faulty part and install a new one.
For smart thermostats or programmable ones, replacement may take a bit more work. You’ll also need to check if your aircon model supports such features.
Tips to Use the Thermostat Properly
Using the thermostat the right way can keep your room cool and your bills low. Here are some useful tips:
- Set your aircon between 24°C and 26°C for comfort and energy savings.
- Avoid setting the temperature too low, like 16°C, unless really needed.
- Clean your air filters regularly for better airflow and correct temperature sensing.
- Do not block the thermostat sensor with furniture or curtains.
- Use timers or energy-saving modes if your remote has these features.
FAQ
What is the purpose of a thermostat in aircon?
It helps maintain a steady room temperature by turning the cooling on or off automatically.
Is the thermostat inside the aircon or in the remote?
The thermostat sensor is usually inside the indoor unit, not in the remote.
Does every aircon have a thermostat?
Yes. Every aircon, whether window, split, or central, has a thermostat system.
Can I adjust the thermostat?
Yes. When you set a temperature using your remote, you’re adjusting the thermostat’s target.
What temperature should I set on the thermostat?
A good temperature for comfort and energy saving is between 24°C and 26°C.
Will a faulty thermostat damage my aircon?
It won’t cause major damage right away but may reduce efficiency and increase power usage.
