| Today, the digital thermometer has almost | | | | our household temperature. However, businesses |
| entirely replaced liquid and gas thermometers in | | | | have met consumer demand and substituted gas |
| the consumer market. Here we provide a brief | | | | and liquid thermometers with digital ones. |
| history of the thermometer's evolution and an | | | | Following is a list of common household digital |
| overview of the digital thermometers available to | | | | thermometers: |
| consumers. | | | | - Medical Thermometers. As noted, medical |
| Before the introduction of the digital | | | | thermometers were the primary drivers for |
| thermometer, all thermometers used liquid or gas | | | | developing digital technology. They can be |
| to measure temperature and lacked standards for | | | | purchased in any store that has a pharmaceutical |
| readings. The first consistent standard came when | | | | section. For example, you can find them at |
| mercury used. Daniel Gabriele Fahrenheit created | | | | grocery stores, drugstores, and at big-box stores |
| a temperature scale that could reproduce reliable | | | | like Target and Wal-Mart. There is also a large |
| temperatures. | | | | selection available online. Manufacturers include |
| In the 1990s scientists deemed the | | | | ADC, Mabis, and OMRON among others and each |
| mercury-based thermometer risky to handle--it | | | | manufacturer usually has several models available. |
| had to be swung sharply to be reset. Since then | | | | - Indoor-outdoor monitors. At first, indoor outdoor |
| mercury thermometers have been replaced in | | | | thermometers only measured the temperature |
| stores with digital ones. | | | | inside and outside of your home. Now, more high |
| The basic principles for measuring temperature, | | | | tech versions seem more like weather stations |
| however, still remain the same. All thermometers | | | | and also measure humidity and display the time. |
| require a temperature sensor and a means of | | | | Indoor outdoor thermometers come in two |
| translating a change in temperature into a | | | | models: wireless and wired. Prices range from |
| numerical value. For example, in a mercury | | | | $20-$100. |
| thermometer the temperature sensor is the | | | | - Digital thermostats. Not only are digital |
| mercury. The change in numerical value registers | | | | thermostats more precise than their analog |
| on the scale on the thermometer. | | | | predecessors, but they can also save you money |
| The most common way for a digital | | | | on your heating bill. Digital thermostats are |
| thermometer to measure temperature is via a | | | | programmable. You can set them to turn off |
| thermal resistor. When a change in temperature | | | | automatically when you leave the house and to |
| occurs this device changes its resistance. Then, a | | | | come back on a few minutes before you return. |
| circuit translates that resistance into a | | | | Energy Star, a government agency that approves |
| temperature. (Industrial thermometers use a | | | | energy efficient devices, rates digital thermostats |
| computer to translate that resistance into a | | | | and in some states you can get a tax rebate for |
| reading.) | | | | purchasing them. Digital thermostats can be |
| The consumer market for the digital | | | | purchased online or in hardware stores. If you are |
| thermometer has expanded in the past 20 years. | | | | unsure about how to safely install one, contact a |
| We used to rely upon gas or liquid thermometers | | | | professional to help you. Any time you handle |
| to provide body temperature readings, to tell us | | | | electronic wires you run the risk of shocking |
| the temperature outdoors, and to help regulate | | | | yourself. |