3 Problems Caused by a Faulty Thermostat

The modern thermostat is just a small part of your heating and cooling systems in your home. The thermostat plays an enormous role. It must stay in good repair and operating condition for your HVAC system to run the way you need it.

Often, thermostat malfunctions are mistaken for faults in other parts of a comfort system, although trained professionals can quickly get to the source and provide the repairs or replacements needed to fix the thermostat.

Below are some common thermostat problems.

Heating or Cooling System Won’t Turn On

When an HVAC system fails to come on, it causes an immediate sense of alarm. Although it’s possible that a catastrophic mechanical failure or power loss has caused this, a more common cause is a thermostat that has lost connection to the system.

Thermostats use five different wires to communicate with the HVAC system. It only takes a lost connection in the ones responsible for turning on/off your heater to cause the system to stop running.

Furnace or AC Won’t Stop Running

The opposite problem can also occur. Crossed connections can lead to the heater continually running, wasting energy and making your home extremely uncomfortable.

This can also occur because of a thermostat miscalibration, meaning the thermostat is misreading the temperature in your home and believing the HVAC system must continue to run to reach the target temperature.

Uneven Heating or Cooling

A miscalibrated thermostat can also cause a heater to run too briefly to be able to spread heat or cool air evenly through your home. If you start to notice rooms in your home that are hotter or colder than others, the thermostat is one of the likely reasons for it. If the thermostat is behind any of these problems, it isn’t difficult for a trained repair technician to fix the problem.

Often, it will require a new thermostat installation. You should take this opportunity to update your model to the newest technology. A programmable or smart thermostat will save you money with precision controls and the ability to program it or access it remotely.

What Can I Do if My Thermostat Isn’t Working?

You can start by troubleshooting your thermostat.

• Try replacing the batteries: You should change your thermostat batteries once a year. If you have a blank screen or flashing battery alert, change the batteries.
• Check that the thermostat is set to heat or cool: If the thermostat is set to fan or off, your AC or furnace won’t turn on. Increase the temperature to higher than the current indoor temperature.
• Check the circuit breaker: Verify that the circuit breaker is set to “ON” and not “OFF”.
• Clean your air filter: If you have a clogged air filter, then your system may not turn on. Dirty air filters can cause the system to overheat and turn off.

When to Contact an HVAC Professional

If you still can’t get your system to turn off after troubleshooting your thermostat, this may be a sign of a larger issue. Immediately contact a local HVAC company like Black Hills. We can diagnose, repair and get you back to being comfortable in your home.