If your house doesn’t cool down in the summer or warm up on winter nights, your thermostat might be to blame. We often have a knee-jerk reaction to blame the HVAC system, but various thermostat issues can cause your system to malfunction.
A bad thermostat decreases the efficiency of the rest of the system, causing it to consume excess energy and increase utility bills. HB Home Service Team put together this handy guide to help you understand why your house thermostat is not working and some steps you can take to fix it!
There are 7 symptoms that can help your identify if you have a bad thermostat:
An unresponsive display is a sure sign of thermostat failure. A blank screen indicates dead batteries, a tripped safety switch or a major malfunction in the thermostat’s components.
The thermostat is the central control of your HVAC system, and malfunctioning can prevent the AC and furnace from turning on. This problem can be due to bad wiring connecting the thermostat to the AC and heater, or a thermostat that has reached the end of its life. Replacing a faulty thermostat will restore function and prevent further strain on your heater and AC.
The thermostat monitors when the desired temperature is reached and signals the AC or furnace to shut down. If the system keeps running even after the room is cool or warm enough, the thermostat might need recalibration. Check if the thermostat is set to “auto,” which means continuous air circulation, and change it to “on” so the fan only operates when the AC or furnace is on. If the problem persists, call a professional to diagnose and fix the thermostat.
Temperature sensors signal the thermostat to turn on the HVAC system. Damaged or worn-out sensors can result in a lower or higher temperature reading than the actual room temperature. In case of damaged sensors, call a professional to repair them.
Additionally, dust, dirt and lint can accumulate over time and block the sensors. Remove the cover and clean the inside with a soft brush. The location of the thermostat can also affect the temperature reading. If it’s in direct sunlight or near a vent, you may need a technician to relocate it for more accurate readings.
When you adjust the temperature setting on your thermostat, it should respond almost immediately. If your home’s thermostat is not working, it might be due to dead batteries, a circuit breaker short or bad wiring. Remove the cover and check for loose or corroded wires. If you spot these issues, contact an HVAC technician.
Short cycling occurs when your HVAC turns off before completing a full cycle of heating or cooling. A short-cycling HVAC will almost never reach your desired temperature, leaving your house feeling uncomfortable. Short cycling also consumes a lot of electricity and wears out HVAC components much quicker than a system that can complete full cycles.
Check the AC’s air filter for dust, debris and lint buildup, and change any dirty filters. If the system keeps short cycling, it might be due to other malfunctions that a professional technician can diagnose and fix.
A programmable thermostat is designed to remember your preferences and schedule. It shouldn’t “forget” your settings until you decide to change them. So, if the thermostat can’t seem to stick to your schedule, it might be unreliable and require a replacement.
You can run a system test on your smart thermostat by navigating to the settings, selecting the “Test” function and following the instructions. For a mechanical thermostat, one person should stand by the thermostat and another by the heater. Turn on the heat on the thermostat and increase the temperature. You should hear a sound from both the thermostat and the furnace, and whichever doesn’t make a sound has a problem.
If you have a faulty HVAC system, start by inspecting the thermostat settings and ensuring they are programmed correctly. You can also:
Replacing an old malfunctioning thermostat is a fantastic way to save money on energy bills and increase comfort in your home. Programmable thermostats offer many customizable settings to make controlling your temperature more manageable. You can control smart thermostats from anywhere with your smartphone or tablet. Modern thermostats also offer energy-saving capabilities that reduce your carbon footprint.
Your thermostat plays an indispensable role in the comfort of your home. If your thermostat is damaged or unreliable, you’ll run into numerous problems, from skyrocketing energy bills to frequent repairs. Luckily, you can trust the HB Home Service Team experts to repair or replace your thermostat. Since 1914, we’ve helped local homeowners restore the comfort and efficiency of their homes with high-quality thermostat services.
We’re also proud to offer top-notch heating and cooling services, including replacement, repair and regular maintenance. We can further optimize your home’s indoor air quality with our duct cleaning service and handle all your plumbing needs.
Call us today to speak with an expert technician! We look forward to hearing from you.
