Hardware to check accuracy of temp/humidity sensors

Hardware
1

So I have multiple devices reporting humidity and temperature throughout my home.

GoControl motion sensors via Wink (temp)
Wink relay (temp and humidity)
Broadlink RM pro (temp)
BruhAutomation’s DIY multi sensor (temp and humidity)
GoControl zwave thermostat (temp)

From what I have seen it appears that the Wink relays humidity is basically pointless, sometimes reading 90%+ humidity. Also the GoControl motion sensors seem fairly accurate but don’t update often enough.

Basically I would like a sensors that I could use to manually verify the actual temp and humidity in my home at each if these sensors locations to compare their values to.

2

How important is the accuracy to you?

I bring all my temp sensors by my nest and make them read the same as the nest. Either using built in offset functions or a template sensor to adjust the value.

This provides precision but isnt necessarily accurate. My nest controls the temp in the house so if everything else matches that it makes sense to me.

3

there’s a fancy thing called a thermometer that will give you temperature :wink:

1 Like
4

That’s a good point. I would hope the thermostat is accurate and if it isn’t I guess it doesn’t matter since it is running things.

I guess I am really more interested in the humidity which my thermostat doesn’t track.

This is also a curiosity thing it does really cause me any trouble as I don’t use temps or humidity in any automations.

5

Lol true. I am really more interested in the humidity though.

6

You can use a similar approach and just even the sensors out. Pick the one that seems most accurate and adjust the rest.

Keep in mind that running a shower or cooking can spike the local humidity. Your basement may also be more humid than the rest of the house too.

7

As a former cigar smoker, I can tell you how we calibrate hygrometers. Take a small amount of salt and put it in a bottle cap, get it just wet enough that it doesn’t fully dissolve; you don’t want it wet, more of a paste. Put that in a plastic bag with the sensor in question and let it sit for a few hours. When it stabilizes, the air in the bag will be exactly 70% relative humidity. Take whatever the sensor is reading and adjust accordingly by whatever means available.

2 Likes
8

Interesting! I’ll give that a shot, thanks.