What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Thermostat?

Thermostats can have issues, just like the rest of your HVAC components. The typical lifespan of a thermostat is 10 years, so it is not a bad idea to check the date of purchase. It can end up being very beneficial to know how old your thermostat is when it starts acting strangely. Just because your thermostat hits 10 years old, doesn’t mean its going to die instantly. However, think of how quickly technology can change in 10 years. Today, an upgrade in thermostat technology could mean a big improvement in your home comfort levels.

Doc Dancer is here to help you with all your Fort Wayne thermostat issues including identifying the signs of a bad thermostat, troubleshooting tips for how to fix it, and deciding it’s time for a new one.

Signs Of A Bad Thermostat

Here are some common symptoms you may notice if your thermostat is giving you issues:

• Thermostat is Unresponsive To Your Adjustments: Your thermostat doesn’t make adjustments when you press the buttons or touch the screen.
• Thermostat Display is Off: This usually means the thermostat is not receiving power.
• HVAC System Won’t Turn On: If the thermostat is receiving power and the buttons are working, but the system won’t turn on; It could be defects in the wiring of the thermostat.
• HVAC System Doesn’t Turn Off: A system that doesn’t turn off is just as bad as a system that doesn’t turn on, it could be dirty sensors or miscalibration.
• HVAC System Starts and Stops a lot: This starting and stopping is called short cycling and it can be caused by a number of issues, including a bad thermostat.
• Uneven Temperatures Throughout The House: If your house has rooms that are warmer or colder than others, this could be an issue with the thermostat or where it is located.

Troubleshooting Thermostat Issues

When you need your thermostat to work properly, you can try a few of these steps to see if you can get it working again.

Check The Power

If the display on your thermostat is off, that usually means that it is not receiving power. Change the battery on the thermostat, or make sure the thermostat is receiving power at the breaker. Even if the breaker says the thermostat should be getting power, turn it off and turn it back on to reset it. Also check that the HVAC unit it also receiving power at the breaker too.

Check The Settings

It might sound silly, but trust us on this. Check to make sure that your system is set correctly. Make sure it’s on “cool” if you want cold air and “warm” if you want hot air. Also check the fan settings. A fan set to “on” will blow constantly. Setting your fan to “auto” will only operate the fan as needed.

Adjust The Thermostat to Start or Stop The Operation

When your HVAC unit won’t turn on or won’t stop, you can attempt to force it to by adjusting the thermostat. Adjust the thermostat to 5-10 degrees higher than normal to see if this triggers the unit to start. If your unit doesn’t stop, do the opposite. Drop the setting on the thermostat 5-10 degrees to get the unit to stop.

Clean The Thermostat

Occasionally, dust and debris can settle on the sensors of the thermostat causing it to throw off its calibration. Get a dust cloth and wipe down the outside of your thermostat housing. Then, open the face plate and gently remove any dust in there as well. This may help your thermostat get a better reading of the house.

Make Sure The Temperature Reading is Correct

Get a reliable thermometer and place it on top of the thermostat to see if the temperature levels are the same. If they’re not, you might want to consider moving the thermostat or having it re-calibrated by an HVAC technician.

Check The Wire Connections

Take the face-plate off the thermostat and make sure the wires are connected to the corresponding mounting screws. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws and see if that helps the connection.
It’s also a good idea to try to figure out who installed the thermostat. If a household member installed the thermostat themselves, it might not be wired properly or calibrated correctly. Having an HVAC technician test or install a new thermostat is a good idea because they can confirm that the wiring is working and done correctly.

Call Doc Dancer to Replace Your Thermostat

If you’ve tried everything on our list and still can’t get your thermostat to work, then call Doc Dancer for a thermostat replacement. A faulty thermostat can cause higher than normal utility bills, so you’ll want to solve this problem right away. One of our team members can tell you more about the benefits of programmable or smart thermostat installation. Call Doc Dancer today to schedule your thermostat installation appointment.