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AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS

A/C - HEAT PUMP CONTROLS & SWITCHES
AIR CONDITIONER COMPONENT PARTS
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AIR FILTERS, FIBERGLASS PARTICLES
AIR FLOW MEASUREMENT CFM
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BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
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BLOWER FAN OPERATION & TESTING
BOOKSTORE - Air Conditioning "How To" Books

CAPACITORS for HARD STARTING MOTORS
CAPILLARY TUBES
CLEANING & Legionella BACTERIA
CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS
CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS

DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms
DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
DIAGNOSE & FIX AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP
DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-BOILER
DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-FURNACE
DUCTS - Asbestos
DUCT INSULATION, Asbestos Paper
DUCT INSULATION for SOUNDPROOFING
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DUST, HVAC CONTAMINATION STUDY

ELECTRIC MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
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GAS EXPOSURE EFFECTS, TOXIC
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HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION
HEAT PUMPS
HEATING SMALL LOADS

INSPECTION CHECKLIST - OUTDOOR UNIT
INSPECTION LIMITATIONS, A/C SYSTEMS

LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION
LOST COOLING CAPACITY
LOW VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER TEST

MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
MOLD in AIR HANDLERS & DUCT WORK

OPERATING COST, AIR CONDITIONER
OPERATING DEFECTS, AIR CONDITIONING

REPAIR GUIDE, AIR CONDITIONERS / HEAT PUMPS
REPAIR & DIAGNOSTIC FAQs for A/C

SWAMP COOLERS

THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING
THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES

WATER COOLED AIR CONDITIONERS
WINDOW / WALL AIR CONDITIONERS
WINDOW / WALL A/C SUPPORTS

More Information

Photograph of a dial thermometer reading a high output temperature at an air conditioning compressor What Instruments Are Used to measure Air Conditioner Operating Temperatures?
     

  • Air conditioning operating temperature measurement devices
    • How to measure A/C temperatures, what kinds of thermometers to use
    • Types of thermometers used for air conditioning system tests
  • Air Conditioning System Temperatures - separate article
  • Instruments Used to Measure A/C Temperatures
  • Procedures for Making Temperature Measurement - separate article
  • Questions & Answers about the types of instruments used to measure the operating temperatures of air conditioners and heat pumps
  • References

Click to Show or Hide Related Topics

  • AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - home
  • A/C COMPONENTS
  • AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
  • AIR HANDLER / BLOWER UNITS
  • BACKUP HEAT for HEAT PUMPS
  • BTU CHART for AIR CONDITIONERS / HEAT PUMPS
  • CLEARANCE DISTANCE, HVAC
  • COMPRESSOR & CONDENSING COIL, A/C
  • CONDENSATE HANDLING, A/C
  • CONTROLS & SWITCHES, A/C - HEAT PUMP
  • CONDENSING COIL REPAIR REPLACE
  • COOL OFF HEAT THERMOSTAT SWITCH
  • COOLING CAPACITY, RATED
  • COOLING COIL or EVAPORATOR COIL
  • COOLING COIL CLEANING
  • DATA TAGS on AIR CONDITIONERS
  • DEHUMIDIFICATION PROBLEMS
  • DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS
  • DUCTLESS AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS
  • EDUCATION & CLASSES, HVAC SCHOOLS
  • ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE
  • EXPANSION VALVES, REFRIGERANT
  • FAN, AIR HANDLER BLOWER UNIT
  • FAN AUTO ON Thermostat Switch
  • FAN, COMPRESSOR/CONDENSER UNIT
  • FAN CONVECTOR HEATERS - HYDRONIC COILS
  • FROST BUILD-UP on AIR CONDITIONER COILS
  • GAUGE, REFRIGERATION PRESSURE TEST
  • HEAT PUMPS
  • HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET
  • MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC
  • MINI SPLIT AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS
  • NOISE AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP
  • ODORS in AIR HANDLERS & DUCT WORK
  • OPERATING TEMPERATURES
  • PORTABLE ROOM AIR CONDITIONERS
  • PRESSURE READINGS, REFRIGERANT
  • REFRIGERANTS & PIPING
  • REPAIR GUIDE - A/C or Heat Pumps
  • REPAIR TOPICS A/C & HEAT PUMPS
  • ROOFTOP A/C / HEAT PUMP
  • SEER RATINGS & OTHER DEFINITIONS
  • SPLIT SYSTEM Ductless Air Conditioners
  • SWAMP COOLERS
  • THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING
  • THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES
  • WALL CONVECTORS Heating / Cooling
  • WINDOW / WALL AIR CONDITIONERS
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How to measure A/C temperatures: this article describes how to measure input and output air temperatures at air conditioning equipment in order to determine whether or not it is operating properly, as part of checking basic air conditioning system operation and for detection of air conditioning operating defects. Air conditioner temperatures that are too high or too low can indicate specific operating problems on central and portable or window air conditioners. Simple measurements of air temperatures, if made at the right place, can assist in diagnosing what may be wrong and what repairs may be needed for the air conditioner.

Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.

List of Types of Instruments Used to Measure Air Conditioning Temperatures

If your air conditioning or heat pump system has lost its cooling capacity or wont' start see LOST COOLING CAPACITY and also REPAIR GUIDE for AIR CONDITIONERS and see How to determine the cooling capacity and see How to determine the cooling capacity of air conditioning equipment if the system seems to be working but is inadequate to cool your building.

If you need to know the normal operating temperatures of air conditioners & heat pumps and where those temperatures are measured, see OPERATING TEMPERATURES.

Dial thermometers such as the dial face shown in the photograph at the top of this page are inexpensive (typically less than $10.00) and very simple instruments which combine a bimetallic spring, a dial face, and a stainless steel probe which can be inserted into A/C systems at key points (below) or in some cases simply held in an air stream. The thermometer can take a couple of minutes to stabilize, so you should keep it in position until the dial indicator stops changing. Dial thermometers vary in accuracy but can easily be calibrated (using boiling water).

Don't choose a dial thermometer whose temperature range is much greater (say 0 degF. to 212 degF.) than the range that you need (say 30 degF. to 100 degF.) since the smaller range thermometer will be more accurate in determining the temperature.

Digital thermometers work much like a dial thermometer but include a digital display of temperature (and require a battery). Digital thermometers cost a bit more, typically around $25. to $130.

Air flow thermometers are electronic devices similar to a the temperature probes above, but their probe ends in a loop through which air passes to provide a more rapid readout of air temperature. However these devices are not easily inserted into duct work as a larger probe opening will be required.

Infrared temperature measurement devices have the feature of being able to measure surface temperatures from a distance but are not used to make direct measurements of air temperatures


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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

Click to Show or Hide Citations & References

  • Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, A. D. Althouse, C.H. Turnquist, A. Bracciano, Goodheart-Willcox Co., 1982
  • Principles of Refrigeration, R. Warren Marsh, C. Thomas Olivo, Delmar Publishers, 1979
  • "Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I & II", BOCES Education, Warren Hilliard (instructor), Poughkeepsie, New York, May - July 1982, [classroom notes from air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance and repair course attended by the website author]
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 5th Ed., William C. Whitman, William M. Johnson, John Tomczyk, Cengage Learning, 2005, ISBN 1401837654, 9781401837655 1324 pages
  • NewAir Conditioning SEER - New DOE Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Efficiency Standard
  • ...

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