Most homeowners do not pay that much attention to their thermostats until they begin to cause them headaches. Typically, thermostats do their job in stealth mode, in the background, without requiring much interference on your part. But when it stops working, the whole family is affected.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your reliable HVAC company in Ramsey MN that can fix just any HVAC equipment, including thermostats. Today, we will give you some helpful insights on how to manage a thermostat that is not working properly.
Thermostats 101
A thermostat is a device that controls the temperature in an HVAC system. You can set a preferred temperature, and the thermostat works to keep your room at your desired level. When your furnace or air conditioner reaches your set temperature, the thermostat will turn the system off to prevent it from overheating.
When Your Thermostat Doesn’t Seem to Work
Here are simple troubleshooting steps for you:
Power Source
Checking your thermostat’s power source is the first thing you would want to do before moving on to the more complicated steps. If you have a conventional thermostat, be sure to know where the batteries are located and replace them with fresh ones. If you have wireless thermostats, use AA Lithium batteries instead of regular ones.
If your thermostat is attached directly to the wall, check for blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers. These issues prevent your thermostat from doing its job.
Dusting
A buildup of dirt and grime can cause discrepancies between your temperature settings and the actual room temperature. This means that the thermostat needs cleaning.
If you have an older electromagnetic thermostat, simple brushing can do the trick. Dust and dirt often cause inaccurate temperature readings and other similar problems. Gently dust off the inside of your thermostat, including the metal coils and contact plates. If your brush is too large and can’t fit within the plates, try sliding a soft paper back and forth to clean them.
Positioning
If the thermostat is placed in a bad position, it will not be able to accurately control your home’s temperature, so be sure to check its location. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, other heat sources or cold drafts. Most of the time, relocating the thermostat rectifies this problem.
In addition, try checking if the thermostat is balanced. Using a level device, make sure your unit is perfectly level. If it isn’t, then, your mercury switch won’t work accurately.
Aging
Old thermostats tend to exhibit performance issues. Electronic or mechanical thermostats will stop working at some point, and replacing parts won’t really fix the problem. You would probably have to replace it periodically. For a permanent fix, buy a new one and rid yourself of such headaches.
Wiring
Avoid getting into greater trouble by not trifling with wiring issues. There are some who think that they can fix a broken thermostat by moving some wires without considering the possibility of burning the control boards or worse, the transformer. Unless you have proper HVAC training, you should have your thermostat checked by a qualified technician. That’s because you’re not just dealing with a piece of electrical equipment, you’re actually taking a risk of getting yourself hurt.
Rebooting
Similar to computers and smartphones, simple rebooting can eliminate your thermostat’s problem. You can do this by turning your furnace or air conditioner off. Then, go to your breaker and turn off the power to your thermostat or HVAC system. If you haven’t labeled your breakers, test them now and label them correctly. Next, leave the breaker turned off for about 30 seconds to a minute then turn the power back on to your HVAC system. This should get your system back on. If it still not working properly, you should contact your trusted HVAC professional.
Call the Experts
For more information on how to troubleshoot and repair your thermostat, call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. Our technicians are factory trained and are able to identify problem causes and apply appropriate solutions. With us, you can be assured of top-notch workmanship. We’ll restore your system in no time. We are your reliable Elk River heating and air conditioning company serving you for over 40 years.