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.

What Instruments Are Used to measure Air Conditioner or Warm Air Furnace Operating Temperatures?

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.

List of Types of Instruments Used to Measure Air Conditioning 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

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

See COOLING CAPACITY, RATED of air conditioning equipment if the system seems to be working but is inadequate to cool your building.

HVAC System Temperature Measurement Devices, Equipment, Tools

• Davis Instruments, CPS TM360 Temp-Seeker multi-port thermopsychrometer, measures temperature differences from multiple points, TeL: 1-800-358-5525, Website: http://www.davis.com/
• ThermoWorks 741 E. Utah Valley Dr. American Fork, UT 84003 USA, Tel: 00-393-6434 Industrial grade infrared thermometers, IR Guns, Tel: , website: http://www.thermoworks.com/
• mCerberus® HVAC Monitoring system, mCerberus® 400 Series System, MCerberus, 14111 Bluff Grove Dr, San Antonio, TX 78216 Phone: 210-380-9890 Email: sales@mcerberus.com Website: http://www.mhvacmonitor.com/
  
  product description excerpted from the manufacturer's website 2017/05/11
  
  The mCerberus® 400 Series is the HVAC monitoring system that can be installed in fifteen minutes on new and existing home or business central (forced air) air conditioning and heating systems.
  
  The System is designed for the HVAC Contractor who may require the capability/capacity to monitor hundreds of installations as well as the home or business owner that requires the ability to self-monitor their own unit(s). Our backend SOFTWARE application analyzes the data obtained by the hardware unit and determines the current state of the HVAC system.
• Omega low cost digital thermometers including infrared temperature measurement devices, bimetallic temperature devices, fluid expansion temperature devices, chang-of-state temperature measurement devices, resistance temperature devices (RTDs), high temperature thermocouple surface probes, magnetic thermocouples, related devices, Tel: 888 826 6242, Website: http://www.omega.com/temperature/ - focus on process control systems.
• PCE Instruments, portable HVAC meters (PE-ITF 10) hand-held infrared thermoeter gun or laser pyrometer
• Tech Instruments SRH77A 2 Temperature Measurement
• UEI Test Instruments, UEi DTK42Kit, Dual Input K-Type Digital Differential Thermometer Kit, Temperature Range -328° - 2498°F

...

Continue reading at AIR CONDITIONER TEMPERATURES or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

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• GAUGE, REFRIGERATION PRESSURE TEST - refrigeration pressure gauge uses, connections, procedures
• OPERATING TEMPERATURES HVAC if you need to know the normal operating temperatures of air conditioners & heat pumps and where those temperatures are measured
• HUMIDITY MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS
• HUMIDITY CONTROL & TARGETS INDOORS because the comfort level of indoor air is a function of both temperature and relative humidity

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