With technological advancements and weather sensors improving every day, we now have some very capable indoor and outdoor thermometers. They can show you accurate and precise readings most of the time.
But why most of the time and not always? The answer to this justified question is quite simple, weather is very unpredictable, and even though we can forecast it, we cannot state the upcoming weather condition with absolute surety.
Indoor-outdoor thermometers are devices that help you accurately predict the weather and give readings of surrounding temperature, humidity and much more.
Let’s learn more about indoor and outdoor thermometers and their accuracy.
What is an indoor-outdoor thermometer?
An indoor outdoor thermometer is a weather device that helps you measure the temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and weather forecast.
The thermometer has two independent parts. The indoor display unit shows you the reading and measures indoor temperature; the other is a remote temperature sensing device placed outdoors to get the weather readings.
How does an indoor-outdoor thermometer work?
The thermometer, as we have mentioned before, has two units that measure the airflow temperature. The outdoor sensor needs to be placed where the airflow is ambient, and the sensor gets better readings.
All the measured readings are then transmitted to the indoor device, which features a screen to show you the readings. The outdoor sensor often has closed glass tubes with liquids like alcohol or mercury inside. When the air around the tube heats up, the liquid expands and moves up, which is measured and transmitted later.
Wireless thermometers take the readings by built-in sensors packed inside the device. Digital wireless thermometers also allow you to keep track of 12 to 24-hour high and low in temperatures.
Outdoor thermometers: where should they be placed to get accurate readings?
The science behind both outdoor and indoor thermometers is simple. They measure the air temperature, and the hygrometer(often featured in them) measures the humidity levels.
Thus you should place your outdoor thermometer or sensor in a shade of a tree or a north-facing porch with good access to free-flowing wind.
You should never expose your outdoor thermometer to direct sunlight as it might hamper its accuracy.
Although the thermometers are weather-resistant most of the time but keeping them in the shade lightly covered is advisable.
Accuracy of Indoor/outdoor thermometers
Indoor-outdoor thermometers are more accurate than ever before. Companies implement new technologies to increase their accuracy, allowing for better weather forecasting.
Technologies like radiation shielding and new edge sensors ensure that the readings are accurate and precise. Radiation shielding minimises direct sunlight’s impact and allows natural airflow, thus letting the weather device read the measurements accurately.
Implementing hygrometers in the thermometers makes it collect more of the surrounding data and gives us more error-free readings.
Mercury thermometers are accurate from one-tenth to two-tenths of a degree, while digital thermometers are more accurate with better technology.
Place the outdoor thermometer four to six feet above ground level in an area with sufficient airflow.
Generally, you should calibrate bimetal thermometers before every shift. Calibrate digital thermometers every week or month.
Close the door and wait at least 12 hours to allow the thermometer to get a reading. When you adjust the refrigerator or freezer temperature, you should give it at least 24 hours for the new setting to stabilize before taking another reading.
Conclusion:
Indoor and outdoor thermometers have come a long way in terms of development. Digital thermometers have become more accurate and can now take precise readings. Although weather forecasting is not always accurate but most of the time the thermometers provide you with the right forecasting.
Getting an indoor-outdoor thermometer for yourself can actually benefit you in many ways, such as planning a day out for an adventure, getting dressed according to the forthcoming weather and getting by getting alerts of any future weather calamities.
Thank you for reading. I hope you found the blog informative and precise. Stay safe, and have a good day ahead.