When did they stop putting mercury in thermostats?
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.
Is it illegal to have mercury in thermostat?
No. Mercury-added thermostats were banned in California in 2006. Thermostats manufactured since 2006 do not contain mercury.
How do I know if my thermostat contains mercury?
To determine if a thermostat contains mercury, remove the front plate. Mercury-containing thermostats are usually constructed with one to as many as six glass ampoules containing elemental mercury. Alternative Devices: Programmable electronic thermostats are mercury free.
What do thermostats use instead of mercury?
There are non-mercury alternatives that may be suitable for replacing mercury thermostats. These include electromechanical (i.e., air-controlled, reed switch, vapor-filled diaphragm, snap-switch) and electronic programmable thermostats (i.e., digital).
What do I do with old thermostat mercury?
If you determine that the thermostat contains mercury, you can bring it a household hazardous waste collection or a electrical wholesaler that participates in the Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) program.
Does Home Depot recycle mercury thermostats?
All locations accept mercury thermostats free of charge. Fluorescent light bulbs of all shapes and sizes should never be put in the trash. Free recycling for compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) is available at Home Depot.
Do modern thermostats have mercury in them?
Mercury thermostats were the standard for nearly 200 years, however they haven't been made since the early 2000s. New digital thermostats and programmable thermostats are designed to work without mercury.
Is Honeywell thermostat mercury?
The Honeywell mercury thermostat has been installed in homes and businesses for decades, though it is used less often since the digital programmable thermostat became popular. Mercury thermostats are extremely durable and long lasting but do wear out and develop problems occasionally.
Why did thermostats use mercury?
One characteristic of the element – and the reason it was used in thermometers and thermostats – is its sensitivity to heat. It also remains in a liquid state up to 30 degrees sub zero Fahrenheit. Mercury reacts to heat by expanding, and, quite quickly, can change states to a toxic vapor.
Which is better mercury thermostat or digital?
Exposure to mercury is hazardous, but ingesting it is extremely dangerous. A digital thermometer has no such hazards connected with its use, and it is entirely composed of electronic circuitry. On a wider environmental scale, a digital thermostat will help you to save energy and thus reduce your carbon footprint.
Is it better to have a digital thermostat?
Digital thermostats are more expensive than analog thermostats, but they are much more accurate. Furthermore, digital thermostats can come with some additional features such as programmability, wifi connectivity, and even a humidistat.
Are old thermostats accurate?
As thermostats get older and older, their readings tend to become less accurate. When a thermostat doesn't have an accurate reading of a room's temperature, it can impact your comfort and potentially make your HVAC system work harder than it needs to; resulting in higher energy bills.
Where are mercury thermometers banned?
As a result, a number of states have banned or limited the sale of mercury thermometers, including California, Oregon, Rhode Island, Maine, Maryland, Indiana, Minnesota, and New Hampshire.
How much is mercury worth?
The price of 1 Mercury currently costs $0.0158.
How much mercury is toxic?
Blood mercury levels above 100 ng/mL have been reported to be associated with clear signs of mercury poisoning in some individuals (e.g., poor muscle coordination, tingling and numbness in fingers and toes).