Do you want to save money on your energy bills?
Do you wish you could control your home’s temperature with a smartphone app, or even voice commands?
Then this product is for YOU. With our advanced technology, we can help YOU save money by automatically adjusting the temperature in your home based on your preferences.
Thermostat sensor price is the most important part of your heating system. It’s the thermometer that helps your furnace know how warm or cold it should be, so that you can feel comfortable and safe in your own home.
But it doesn’t matter how much money you spend on a new thermostat if your old one isn’t working properly. That’s why we offer our customers a wide variety of options for replacement sensors. From Honeywell to Lennox, we have hundreds of different sensors to choose from at prices that won’t break the bank!
Thermostat sensor price
Recently, I worked on an industrial project that required RTDs and thermocouples for a client’s crucial application. Although all temperature sensors are likely to have the same price, the buyer’s primary worry seemed to be the price.
Prices can differ, though, because not all applications are the same and not all temperature sensors are created equal. The applications for which RTDs and thermocouples are employed as well as the temperatures at which they operate are some of the elements that affect their costs.
A temperature sensor used to detect the temperature of the air in a room differs greatly from one used to measure 1,400 °C during an industrial heat-treating process.
It comes down to getting the appropriate tool for the job. Consequently, let’s look at some projected pricing ranges for RTDs and thermocouples.
How Much Do RTDs and Thermocouples Cost?
The price ranges for temperature sensors in various industries can be broad, depending on what they’re used for:
- OEM/HVAC: $10 to $200
- Industrial: $25 to $500
- Process: $50 to $1,500
- High Accuracy: $1,000 to $2,000
This article will outline the cost drivers for temperature sensors to help you better understand these price ranges and how they are determined.
Top 5 Temperature Sensor Cost Drivers
1. Market Applications
Figure 1: Market Applications for Temperature Sensors
| OEM/HVAC $10 to $200 ITS Type | Industrial $25 to $500 S80/S81, S10 Types | Process $50 to $1,500 S50, S70 Types | High Accuracy $1,000 to $2,000 Precision Type | |
| Common Application | CompressorPumpsTemperature ControlsUnderfloor heatingTurbinesHVAC | Industrial equipmentIndustrial processesBearing Temperature | Oil & GasChemicalPetrochemicalPower Generation | Averaged temperature over the temperature sensorAlternative to RTDs and thermocouples |
| Typical Features | RTD, NTC, KTY Thermocouples sensorsMetal or plastic probes with or without electrical connectors | RTD or Thermocouple Probes with extension cables Probes with HeadsHazardous location designs | RTD or Thermocouple sensorsProbes with HeadsTransmitters availableHazardous location designs | Accuracy: ≤0.1% of the measuring spanHigh stabilityLow drift |
Four categories of temperature sensors are shown in Figure 1. Although though these groups were created based on the type of applications, they all frequently share similar traits.
Smaller plastic or metal probes with or without electrical contacts are typically used for OEM/HVAC applications. They typically cost less and have lower operating temperature requirements.
RTDs or K-type thermocouple sensors are frequently used in industrial temperature sensors, and less sophisticated designs frequently have extension leads for the output. Several applications don’t employ thermowells.
Process temperature sensors may withstand temperatures up to 2,000 °C when combined with precious metal sensors and sapphire insets in applications requiring continuous process monitoring. The usage of thermowells is required for most applications. Several applications demand an in-head transmitter or are employed in dangerous environments with explosion-proof or intrinsic safety characteristics.
Applications requiring precise temperature measurement use high accuracy sensors. With excellent stability and low drift, they provide the finest possible precision for temperature measurement—within 0.1% of the measuring span. Typically, these are specialized designs for particular user applications.
2. Temperature Measurement Range
The temperature range of a sensor can be a major factor in the price. Temperature sensors designed for room temperature can have very simple designs, resulting in a lower cost. RTDs can be used from -200°C to 600°C. K-type thermocouples can be used from -200°C to 1,100°C. For temperatures up to 2,000°C precious metal thermocouples are used with sapphire insets, which add to the cost.
3. Hazardous Location Approvals
Temperature sensors are often used in hazardous locations and require approval by a recognized testing agency like FM or CSA. There are two types of designs: Intrinsic safety, limiting energy to prevent an explosion, or explosion-proof, which contains a limited explosion to prevent a larger explosion. Both types require additional costs; the intrinsic safety has extra electrical testing and the explosion-proof design must use an explosion-proof head.
4. Sensor Construction
The basic construction and materials used can influence the cost of the sensor. Longer probes have a higher cost than shorter probes. A very small diameter probe will also cost more due to the difficulty in manufacturing. The material type matters; some very low-cost probes can be made from plastic, aluminum or brass. Most RTD probes are made from 316 stainless steel, and many thermocouple probes are made from Inconel. The material used for the head is usually aluminum, but stainless steel can also be used, which adds cost. Another cost that is often overlooked is the cable gland used to wire the connection heads. These can add cost depending on the material used and if it’s explosion-proof or not. The last cost-adding factor is the type and length of the lag required.
5. Options and Accessories
There are several common options or accessories that will add to the cost:
- Additional Certificates and testing documentation.
- Transmitters for 4 to 20 mA outputs with HART output, PROFIBUS or FOUNDATION Fieldbus.
- Most applications require the use of thermowells. The thermowell is installed in the process and the sensor is installed in the thermowell. In some cases, depending on material compatibility, the thermowell can cost the same or even more than the sensor itself.
Digital temperature sensor price
The coolant temperature sensor in your car measures the engine temperature and notifies the engine control module to change important engine operations, like the air-fuel ratio. Similar switches are found in some cars; these switches, when activated at predetermined temperatures, turn on the cooling system fan of the engine to keep it safe.
Depending on the brand and type, a coolant temperature switch or sensor replacement will cost somewhere between $150 and $200.
The coolant temperature switch or sensor for your automobile is essential to its cooling system, therefore use a car insurance super app.
Jerry has put together a helpful guide to make sure you are fully informed when changing this important component.
What is a coolant temperature switch (sensor) replacement?
Your mechanic will replace your vehicle’s coolant temperature switch or sensor in order to:
- Ensure your engine is being cooled properly to avoid overheating
- Prevent erroneous ignition timing
- Make sure your engine’s air-fuel mix is calculated correctly
How is a coolant temperature switch/sensor replaced?
See a reliable repair if you suspect that your car’s coolant temperature switch or sensor needs to be changed. If the switch or sensor needs to be replaced, they will do the following procedures:
Check to see whether you need to replace the coolant temperature switch or sensor.
Empty the system’s coolant and disconnect any faulty switches or sensors from the connector before separating and removing them from the manifold
By securing a replacement switch or sensor to the manifold’s mounting hole and re-connecting it to the system’s electrical connector, you can replace the device.
Replenish the coolant Check the system’s functionality
What are the signs that a coolant temperature switch/sensor needs replacing?
The following is a list of the most common signs that your switch or sensor might need replacing:
- Check Engine Light is on
- Your engine has overheated
- The coolant fan runs inconsistently
- Your engine idles noisily, misfires, or stalls
- The coolant temperature is unstable
How important is it to replace a faulty coolant temperature switch or sensor?
A faulty coolant temperature switch or sensor must be replaced as soon as possible. If not, you run the risk of your cooling fan operating sporadically, which could cause your engine to overheat.
It will cost significantly more to fix severe engine damage caused by overheating than it will to just swap out a broken temperature switch or sensor.
Your engine control module receives the information it needs to accurately determine the right air-fuel ratio for your engine from a properly working coolant temperature switch or sensor. Your car’s fuel economy will decrease, your engine will perform poorly, or it could stop working altogether if this mixture is off.
Tips
Some tips when considering whether to replace your coolant temperature switch or sensor:
- A defective switch or sensor can shorten the life of your motor’s cooling fan
- Some vehicles have separate sensors that display the engine’s temperature—this is displayed on the temperature gauge on the dashboard
