If your house doesn’t cool down on a sweltering summer day or warm up on a frigid winter night, your thermostat might be to blame. We often have a knee-jerk reaction to blame the HVAC system, but there are also a variety of thermostat issues that can cause your system to malfunction. Here at HB Home Service Team, we understand that it can be tough to figure out exactly why your home is uncomfortable or climate inefficient. That’s why we put together this handy guide to help you determine if your thermostat is not working and some steps you can take to fix it!
1. Thermostat Has No Power
A sure sign that there’s something wrong with your thermostat is when the screen is dead. Normally, it should display the temperature in the room and details about your programmed schedule. If the screen is dark, it’s most likely the batteries are dead, or the thermostat itself is experiencing a major malfunction.
2. AC or Furnace Won’t Turn On
A malfunctioning thermostat can make your heater or air conditioner unable to turn on. In most cases, this indicates the wiring has failed. Normally, electrical wires transmit messages from the thermostat to the HVAC unit, such as telling it when to turn on and what temperature to make your house feel. But if the wires have failed, your thermostat is cut off from the AC and furnace, rendering them unable to function.
3. Heater or AC Won’t Turn Off
On the other hand, a faulty thermostat can also cause your HVAC to run non-stop. If you notice your system has been running for a long time without pause, try flipping the switch on the thermostat from “on” to “off.” If the system continues running while in the “off” position, then it probably has bad wiring or isn’t calibrated correctly.
4. Thermostat Doesn’t Match Room Temperature
When a thermostat is working properly, it should display an accurate temperature of what it feels like inside your home. But if the room feels much hotter or colder than the display temperature, that means your thermostat can’t accurately measure the room’s temperature.
5. Thermostat Doesn’t Respond
When you adjust the temperature setting on your thermostat, it should respond almost immediately. You’ll most likely hear a quiet clicking sound followed by air moving through the ductwork. You can also place your hand on a vent to feel for hot or cold air. If you don’t hear or feel anything within a minute or two of making the changes, your thermostat may need to be replaced.
6. Short Cycling
Short cycling is a term that describes 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 eats up a lot of electricity and wears out HVAC components much quicker than a system that can complete full cycles.
7. Thermostat Forgets Programmed Settings
A programmable thermostat is designed to remember your settings and schedule for a long period of time. In fact, 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 getting unreliable and require a replacement.
Thermostat Replacement Services
Your thermostat plays an indispensable role in the comfort of your home. If your thermostat is damaged or unreliable, you’ll run into all kinds of problems, from skyrocketing energy bills to frequent repairs. Luckily, you can trust the experts from HB Home Service Team to repair or replace your thermostat. Since our founding in 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 other proven solutions. On top of that, we can also handle all of your plumbing needs. HB Home Service Team is your one-stop-shop for heating, cooling, and plumbing needs.
Want to learn how you can optimize your thermostat? Call us today to speak with an expert technician! We look forward to hearing from you.
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