The thermostat is a part of your HVAC system that very rarely malfunctions, but when it does, it can cause major inconvenience. It seems like a simple piece of equipment but it has complex parts that need to work in perfect harmony to let the device do what it’s supposed to do. If you have a smart thermostat, you may be dealing with more problems than having a traditional, analog one.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your leading HVAC company in New Hope MN. We are distributors of some of the best thermostats in the industry — from regular programmable ones to state-of-the-art, smart thermostats — we have it all.
Here are some of the most crucial thermostat issues you can’t ignore.
Placement
The position of your thermostat is essential to its proper functioning. Therefore, you should place it in areas where it can read the temperature as easily as possible. Avoid positioning it in direct sunlight, and heat sources like a stove or a microwave oven. Doing so will allow the thermostat to misread the temperature, making it think that the room is warmer than it is, which will confuse the HVAC system.
Similarly, If it is placed near a window or a doorway where it could be airy, it may think that the house is actually warmer than it actually is. This will cause the thermostat to tell the HVAC system to lower the temperature when it doesn’t need to. This issue will result in inconsistent temperatures and the needless increase in your electricity bills.
To avoid causing further problems to your thermostat, ask a professional to move it to the right location.
Level
Older thermostats should be level at all times to function properly because they’re using mercury to read the temperature. If not, the thermometer in the thermostat will malfunction. Unfortunately, a thermostat that is not level is nearly useless because it cannot maintain the right temperature in your home. So, try to use a level device to make sure it is aligned.
Dirt
Did you know that if the thermostat is filled with dust and dirt, it can’t read the temperature properly? It won’t reach the actual temperature you set it for. So, it’s important to clean the thermostat and get rid of dust, dirt, and grime to allow it to read the temperatures properly. If you have an older thermostat, simply open the unit and remove the dust. To clean the contacts, use a piece of paper and move it between them.
If you feel uncomfortable doing this, contact a technician for maintenance or a protective service. The expert will make sure your thermostat works properly.
No Power
Whether it’s an AC, a furnace or a heat pump, you can detect a thermostat problem if the system fails to power on. This complication occurs when there is a problem in the wiring that connects the HVAC systems, or maybe the thermostat is sending the wrong signals or commands. Also, it could be reading temperatures wrongly and as a result, it fails to turn the system on.
These types of issues require professional inspection, so it’s wise to consult a qualified HVAC technician to assess the problem and apply appropriate solutions.
No Display
A thermostat screen that doesn’t turn on or is only displaying data intermittently can cause problems with your heating or cooling system. This problem can be resolved simply by resetting the thermostat (turning it off and back on).
In some cases, it may only need fresh batteries to work. Just take away the old ones and install the fresh ones, and voila! It’s back online.
Dirt can also be a factor to cause your thermostat’s screen to not turn on. Make sure the inside of the thermostat is clean.
There are times when the thermostat needs to be replaced altogether, especially if there are electronic issues. Most of these issues are covered by the warranty, so check your warranty certificate to be sure.
Contact the Thermostat Pros
If you’re dealing with thermostat issues, call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. Our technicians will help you determine the problem and apply appropriate solutions. We will make sure your HVAC system works as it should. We are your trusted Brooklyn Center heating and air conditioning company.