An indoor-outdoor thermometers read the ambient temperature of the flowing wind or the air around it to give precise and accurate measurements. Thus, the thermometer or sensor device‘s placement is a vital factor in getting accurate results.
The sensors inside the digital indoor outdoor thermometers need good exposure to air, but at the same time, direct slight is not good for generating the right results.
The fact mentioned above also applies to generic mercury or alcohol thermometers. There are several other factors that you need to consider and then place your thermometer for accurate temperature reading. In this blog, we will go through the factors and also will learn more about the placement.
What is an outdoor thermometer?
An outdoor thermometer is a measurement instrument or device that records the atmosphere’s high and low temperatures. There are both conventional liquid outdoor thermometers and digital sensor-packed outdoor thermometers available.
Most of the outdoor thermometers we use these days are digital and are placed outdoors on lawns to measure the air temperature and signal back to the display unit, which shows us readings.
They are used to read outside temperature, barometric pressure, Humidity levels and even trend directions of the wind.
The outdoor thermometer has temperature sensors that are made out of thermoresistor which track electrical resistance as the outdoor temperature changes. These changes are computed and then sent to the liquid crystal display (LCD) unit inside the house to show us the changes in temperature and forecast the weather.
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Choosing the right placement for the outdoor thermometer
- Height of the thermometer – The placement of a thermometer sensor is the most important factor. This determines the accuracy of the thermometer. The outdoor sensor should be placed 1.2 to 1.8 meters off the ground level. This is necessary to ensure that the ground temperature doesn’t affect the thermometer temperature readings.
- Distance from your house or indoor receiver– The sensor should be placed in a shady and protected location and should not have contact with precipitation(dew drops). It shouldn’t be too close to the building as the inside temperature might affect the readings. It should be placed at a distance of four times the height of your building. The sensor should not be directly exposed to sunlight.
- Good airflow – Airflow is important for accurate temperature readings. Thus, place the thermometer in a flat area where the air moves freely.
- Distance from the floor – If your pavement or floor is made out of concrete and asphalt, there tend to emit a lot of stored heat. So, make sure you don’t place the sensor close to your pavement. Place it at least 30 meters away from the floor and roadways. Best location to place it would be above dirt or grass.
- Away from direct sunlight – You need to keep your sensor away from direct sunlight as the readings won’t be accurate. No matter what is the actual temperature if you place the sensor in direct sunlight, it will show higher temperature readings.
- Do not place it on grills – Grills might store the heat on their own and dissipate heat; thus,, never place an outdoor thermometer on a grill, even though it’s convenient.
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Ideal places to place your outdoor thermometer:
Here is a list of ideal places where you can place your outdoor thermometer for better readings.
- A covered porch would be an ideal location as you can monitor it easily and get good, precise results.
- You can find an ideal location on the first floor, which has an eave.
- In a shuttered bird feeder.
- A custom wooden device shelter would be another good option to go for.
People Also Ask:
A- Outside temperature measuringThermometers should Never Be Placed at Lower Ground Levels. It is best to always place an outdoor thermometer between the range of four to six feet off the ground level.
A- Fill a glass with half ice and half water and let it sit for up to 15 minutes. Then, put the thermometer’s probe in the glass, at least one inch. It should read 32°F or 0° C. Adjust the temperature on your dial or a digital thermometer with the calibration control to that exact temperature.
A- Temperatures are always measured in the shade because the “shade temperature” is the true air temperature.
If the thermometer is kept in direct sun for a longer period of time, the temperature of its sensor will increase due to direct heat radiation from the sun falling on it.
The air temperature in the sun is the same as in the shade. However, thermometers are mostly placed in the shade.
