Up-conversion properties and thermal effects of LaVO4:Er3+ under 1550 nm excitation are comprehensive studied. LaVO4:Er3+ has a rare emitting positive temperature effect, in which UCL intensity is enhanced with the extension of excitation times. Infrared thermal imaging is adopted to investigate the thermal effects. The measured temperature values have a comparison with the temperature sensor based on up-conversion luminescence of Er3+ ions 2H11/2/4S3/2 thermally coupled levels. The effects of irradiation times and powers on temperature sensor are studied in this paper.