The thermostat is an important part of your home’s heating and cooling system. It is designed to detect the temperature in a room so that it can compare it to the desired temperature and call for heat, cooling, or neither. For example, if you have your air conditioning temperature set for 72 degrees, the thermostat will call for the system to turn on when the room temperature goes above 72 degrees.
If your thermostat is going bad, it will not be able to maintain the temperature in your house. Read on for signs that your thermostat is going bad.
Your Thermostat Has No Power
If you notice that your central air and heating system isn’t functioning the way it should, you might check your thermostat. If you see that it is blank or stuck on one setting, the thermostat might have gone bad. It should light up when you try to adjust it, and it should read the temperature. If it doesn’t, you might need to replace the batteries if it is electronic.
You can also remove the cover to the thermostat and check the wiring to make sure that all of the connections are still good. If they are, then you may need to change the thermostat. If your thermostat is mechanical, it will have a level that moves the temperature setting. You can also try to remove the cover and dust the inside. If the thermostat is on the right setting but isn’t calling for heat or air conditioning, then you will need to look into replacing it.
Your Air Conditioning or Heater Won’t Turn Off or on
Another sign that your thermostat is going bad is when you find that the air conditioning or heat will not turn off or on. The unit is designed so that you set the temperature you want your home to be, and whenever the room temperature is above or below that temperature, the unit should turn off. If the temperature rises or falls, the system will call for the heat or air conditioning again.
If your system is constantly calling for heat or air, or if it isn’t calling for it at all, you may have wiring that is frayed or going bad. You will need to have someone come and repair the system. Before you call, make sure that the fan is set to Auto because the system will not turn off if you have it set to On.
The Room Temperature and the Thermostat Setting Don’t Match
You might find that your room temperature does not match the thermostat setting. For example, if your thermostat says it is 75 degrees, but you are blistering hot, there is a problem. By the same token, if it reads 80 degrees, but you need a sweater, the thermostat is probably wrong. If you have a thermostat that controls multiple parts of your house, there can be some variability because the thermostat is calling for heat and air based on the temperature where it is located. However, if it is completely wrong, you will need to have it checked. The thermostat could be faulty. You might find this to be an easy fix, so don’t hesitate to get it looked at.
It can be frustrating to have such an important part of your home acting up, so it is good to address it as soon as you notice a problem. You can test the system by changing the setting by five degrees. The system should make a clicking sound and kick on within a few minutes. If it doesn’t you will know that you need to have it repaired.
There are different reasons that a thermostat can go bad, and the most common reason is that the batteries need to be replaced. However, there are other possibilities, so you may need to call for help.