What are the hazards of a mercury thermostat?
Mercury poses a threat to both the environment and to your health
. Direct exposure to mercury can cause neurological damage, behavioral problems, kidney disease and problems with the lungs and digestive tract that can prove fatal.
Are mercury thermostats legal?
California law has
prohibited the sale of mercury thermostats since 2006
, but there is no requirement that you replace your existing mercury thermostat.
When did they stop making thermostats with mercury?
manufacturers in the U.S. – General Electric, Honeywell, and White-Rodgers. These companies reported that they phased-out the manufacture and sale of mercury-added thermostats in
October 2009
. Since 2001, many states have passed legislation restricting the sale of mercury-added thermostats.
How much mercury is in a thermostat?
According to the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC), mercury thermostats contain an average of 1.4 mercury switches (i.e., components), with a minimum of 2.8 grams of elemental mercury per switch. Therefore, the total amount of mercury used in a thermostat is
approximately four grams
.
Are mercury thermostats still used?
Thermostats with mercury will have the “Hg” sign for mercury on the packaging.
Most thermostats sold today don’t contain mercury
. Programmable electronic thermostats and many manual thermostats are now mercury-free.
How do I get rid of mercury thermostat?
To find a mercury thermostat recycling location, go to the
TRC
website and type your zip code into the locator tool at the top of the page. It is advisable to double-check with the location you choose to confirm that they will accept your thermostat. You may also bring them to a household hazardous waste collection.
How long do mercury thermostats last?
Although a mercury filled thermostat may last
20 years
, or more, the mechanical parts begin to wear out long before that, becoming less accurate and therefore less efficient over time.
How do I know if my mercury thermostat is bad?
There should be an open circuit when the mercury is not contacting the wire contacts and a closed connection when it is. If the thermostat fails either of these simple checks, it is defective. The easiest way to check thermostat function is
to jump across the terminal screws with a jumper wire
.
Can you replace a mercury thermostat with a digital?
Sometimes you have to flip the switch on the back of the thermostats depending on which type of system you have. If you’re going from mercury to a modern age digital thermostat the process can be simple if you just watch what you’re doing to pay attention.
Do thermometers have mercury?
Mercury fever thermometers are made of
glass
the size of a straw, with a silvery-white liquid inside. … Oral/rectal/baby thermometers, containing about 0.61 grams of mercury. Basal temperature thermometers (used to track slight changes in body temperature), containing about 2.25 grams of mercury.
How much mercury is toxic?
Symptoms include tremors, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular effects, headaches and cognitive and motor dysfunction. Mild, subclinical signs of central nervous system toxicity can be seen in workers exposed to an elemental mercury level in the air of
20 μg/m3 or more
for several years.
Is it legal to sell mercury?
California law restricts the level of mercury in some products
(such as general purpose lights and packaging), and bans the sale of other mercury-containing products outright (such as mercury-containing thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, etc.).
What do thermostats use instead of mercury?
Are thermostats dangerous? Many thermostats use mercury switches, but as long as a thermostat is intact, it isn’t dangerous.
Electronic and magnetic snap switch thermostats
don’t contain any mercury.
How does a non mercury thermostat work?
In non-digital thermostats there are two switches. These switches move small metal balls that
make contact between different traces on the circuit card inside the thermostat
. One of the switches controls the mode (heat or cool), while the other switch controls the circulation fan.
Are old thermostats accurate?
The older thermostats are not efficient
, and the digital models do a much better job of controlling the room temperature. When you decide to replace it, make sure you buy a thermostat that is compatible with your HVAC system. It is best to replace your thermostat after an AC repair or replacement.
