The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency describes mercury as a “… persistent bioaccumulative toxic metal… [and that when] released into the environment, its toxicity, persistence and ability to travel up the food chain are important issues for human health and the environment.” So important, in fact, that in 2014 Ohio issued a statewide health advisory, recommending that all residents limit consumption of fish caught in any of the state’s water bodies to only one meal per week. Sensitive populations, including children aged 15 or younger and all women of childbearing age, are given stricter warnings.
The risk comes largely from waste mercury that’s been improperly disposed of, which is just one reason a mercury-free thermostat is best for use in hour home.
The Basics
Old-fashioned mercury thermostats are electro-mechanical devices, meaning they have a moving mechanical component that initializes and terminates the electrical commands they issue to your HVAC system. That component is a mercury trip switch, also called a mercury tilt switch.
Mercury is a liquid metallic element, and as such conducts electricity. A trip switch contains a drop of mercury sealed in a glass envelope; when gravity pulls the bead of mercury so that the envelope tilts, an electrical circuit is either made or broken. An improperly disposed of trip switch can be crushed, at which point the mercury it contains is typically released into the environment.
Safer and Better Thermostats
If you’re still using an old-school mercury-filled thermostat, it’s time to upgrade to a modern programmable model. Not only will it be safer to use and better for the environment, it will allow you to schedule comfort settings way in advance to fit your daily and weekly schedules. You can ensure that you’re not heating or cooling an empty house. This will reap energy savings right way, not to mention add a measure of convenience to your everyday life.
Closer to Home
To learn more about why a mercury-free thermostat is best, and about the correct disposal of old-fashioned mercury thermostats, residents across Cuyahoga, Erie and Lorain counties should contact us at Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about mercury-free thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area