Whether it’s blazing hot out or bone-chilling cold, homeowners need a thermostat that’s accurate and that lasts. Faulty home cooling and heating systems can cause problems with your thermostat during winter and summertime and make it more than a little uncomfortable inside.
How long do home thermostats work and how often should you replace your thermostat once it goes bad? Homeowners living in Southwest Florida need to know the answers to these questions to stay cozy and comfortable indoors no matter what time of the year it is.
Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to ensure your thermostat is functional and reliable. The expert HVAC technicians at Integrity Home Solutions have put together this guide to cover the basics of home thermostats and their lifecycles.
Signs Your Thermostat Is Going Bad
Homeowners should know what to expect when it comes to their thermostat’s longevity. You can usually expect a quality home thermostat to go faulty after the 10-year mark. Signs of aging from wiring problems and dust and debris can start to show before or after 10 years, though, depending on a few factors.
Let’s look at the most common signs of a bad thermostat, how you can address and resolve them, and how to know if you need a new thermostat:
- Heating and cooling systems that won’t stop running: Wiring issues often first rear their heads when your heating and cooling system won’t stop running. Systems that are constantly running usually do so because of an issue with your thermostat’s wiring. You should always check with your thermostat’s user manual to see whether there’s a calibration process you can follow to fix your issue. If you recalibrate your thermostat and still have no luck, you likely need to start thinking about replacing it.
- Thermostats that stop responding: If it feels suspiciously warm or cool inside, your first instinct should be to adjust your thermostat up or down. One of the biggest signs of a thermostat that’s going bad is a display that doesn’t light up when you try to adjust your temperature. If you notice that your temperature is incorrect even after trying to adjust your indoor temperature up or down, you either need to replace your unit’s battery or replace your thermostat altogether.
- Units that no longer turn on: It’s typically a sure sign that your thermostat is going bad if your heating or cooling unit won’t turn on. You should normally be able to adjust your temperature and see your AC unit kick in immediately. Wiring issues are typically the biggest culprit behind thermostat units that no longer turn on. It’s recommended that you get in touch with a team of HVAC technicians that can diagnose the severity of your wiring issue and recommend the best options to move forward.
- Your room temperature and thermostat temperature don’t match: Another near-certain way to tell that your thermostat is on its way out is by comparing the temperature in your room to the reading of your unit. Get your hands on a second thermostat and use it to verify whether the reading on your primary unit is accurate.
It’s always a good idea to keep your eyes out for the above signs that your thermostat is going bad. The thermostat in your home is essential to regulating your indoor heating and cooling; don’t dawdle in addressing and resolving the above issues by repairing and replacing your unit.
How to Troubleshoot a Faulty Thermostat
There are several troubleshooting steps you can follow before you call for professional help. Following a few DIY troubleshooting steps can help you avoid unnecessarily purchasing a new thermostat.
Troubleshooting Steps
- Keep your thermostat in the proper place and away from direct sunlight. Make sure there are no holes in your wall that can cause your room to get hotter or colder.
- Set your unit correctly and as the seasons change, especially since some thermostats don’t automatically switch between cooling and heating.
- A common troubleshooting step to determine if there is an issue is to turn the thermostat up or down by 4 degrees. If it’s winter, turn it up 4 degrees. If it’s summer, turn it down 4 degrees. As you do this, you should listen to confirm if your HVAC system kicks in to adjust to your new temperature.
- If your thermostat isn’t responding when you adjust it, press other buttons to light up your display or replace your batteries and try again.
- Remove all dust and debris you find in your unit. Dust builds up over time and can cause wiring issues with your thermostat.
- Test your circuit breakers by opening up the cover of your box and resetting them before you test your system again.
- Inspect your wiring after powering off your unit. Check that your wires aren’t damaged and re-attach them with a solid connection. It’s recommended that you contact a team of certified heating and cooling technicians to properly address issues with your unit’s wiring.
Gone through the above steps and still having trouble with your thermostat? It’s time that you get in touch with Southwest Florida’s premier source for heating and cooling system repair and installation. If you’re not trained in investigating and repairing faulty thermostats, it’s worth investing in the assistance of a team of professionals. Call Integrity Home Solutions at (813)-565-1416 for efficient and reliable thermostat repair and installation service.