Modern heating control systems allow for significant cost reductions through better control of the building temperature. Still, few people know that they can be optimised by installing an external temperature sensor. Accurate measurement of weather conditions outside allows for even greater reduction of bills for central heating and domestic hot water. How does it work? Check below and see for yourself that it is worth adding such a sensor to your installation!
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What is an external temperature sensor and how does it work?
An electronic device, often called a "weather station", is placed outside to read basic air parameters. In addition to temperature, the sensor can also indicate the level of humidity or atmospheric pressure. Digital models are based on physical properties, which allows for very accurate measurements in real time. They are then sent, usually by radio, to the main controller. In addition to the heating boiler, it can also be a home weather station.
It is worth noting that the indicated result is not affected by the temperature sensor heating up. In the case of standard mercury or alcohol thermometers, mounted outside the window or at the entrance to the house, the result may differ by up to 20°C due to heating by sunlight. Therefore, in their case, the place of installation is of great importance. Digital models of external temperature sensors, on the other hand, can be mounted practically anywhere. Battery power supply and resistance to rain or sunlight ensure high durability of the device, as well as the accuracy of the obtained readings.
Use of external temperature sensors
When is it best to choose an external temperature sensor?
- Complementing your home weather stations.
Without leaving your home, you can find out what the conditions are like outside. Humidity and pressure readings also allow you to predict precipitation, which is also a very useful feature. - Real-time heating control. A heating system without an outside temperature sensor can operate quite efficiently and perform well. However, modern controllers allow for even greater savings. Based on outside temperature readings, they create a heating curve, on the basis of which the optimum boiler temperature is determined. Instead of a constant setting of 65°C, the heat level on the furnace changes depending on the outside conditions. Thanks to this, the heating operates in the most favourable temperature range.
- An external thermometer will also be useful when using several methods of heating utility water. Do you have solar water heaters installed? Do you use a boiler in the winter? And do you have an additional electric heater to supplement hot water in unfavorable weather conditions? An external temperature sensor together with an adaptive controller allows you to predict the effectiveness of each component to determine the optimal way to heat hot water.
Buying an electronic outdoor thermometer therefore brings specific, tangible savings for the entire household. But which model of this device will work best?
Which outdoor temperature sensor model should I choose?
Which outdoor temperature sensor works best? It is difficult to give a clear answer to such a question.
The first is a small outdoor thermometer CFT482 , distinguished by its small dimensions and very simple installation. A large range of measured temperatures, from -40°C to 60°C, copes well in our climate.
The slightly largerESMT Pt 1000 outdoor temperature sensor can be mounted on the wall. It is slightly larger, but looks very aesthetic. It also has a high IP54 resistance class, thanks to which it works well even in the most difficult working conditions.
We also have something for those looking not only for a sensor, but for the entire controller. The BM-2 weather module includes an external sensor with excellent parameters.
As you can see, although the temperature sensor has a simple structure, you can find many models with other advantages. Not sure which one will work best for you? Contact us by phone or email, and we will be happy to advise you on what you should pay attention to in order to enjoy a well-functioning heating system for many years.