Is Your Thermostat Failing? What To Investigate
When it comes to heat, people often look at their furnace as the end all, be all. However, it's important to remember that heat is delivered through a system that includes a variety of different components, including the thermostat. Once the thermostat stops working correctly, you will notice problems with the way heat is delivered through your home. Learn how you can spot a problem with your thermostat so that you can quickly correct it.
Heat Won't Come On
The heat should power on as soon as you adjust the temperature on your thermostat. If this process does not occur, it could be an issue with the thermostat. The thermostat sends the signal to the furnace to come on. So, if there is a problem with the thermostat, the furnace will not power on.
Often time, this issue is the result of a wiring problem. If the thermostat is older, a replacement might be necessary. For a newer thermostat, a technician may be able to rewire the thermostat. If the thermostat doesn't power on, try to replace the batteries. If that doesn't work, contact a technician.
Not Cycling on and Off
Your heating system should operate based on the temperature reading on the thermostat. So, as the pre-set temperature is achieved, the system should turn off and turn back on once it drops. However, if the sensor on the thermostat is faulty, it will not accurately gauge the air temperature.
As a result, the heating system will stay on, as it won't recognize that the desired temperature has been achieved. Additionally, in some instances, the heater will turn off almost just as soon as it turns on. This issue is also a warning you should investigate further.
Reading Doesn't Match Air Temperature
Another indication of a thermostat issue is an imbalance between the temperature on the thermostat and the way your home feels. For example, say your thermostat was set on 78 degrees. However, the room is chilly and feels more like 60 degrees.
In this instance, the problem is likely a sensor issue as well. However, if you walk around your house and some rooms feel warm, and other feel cold, the issue could be a problem with your ducts. Either way, the best solution is to have an HVAC technician inspect the system.
Contact a heating repair professional at the first sign of an issue with your thermostat to keep your home comfortable.
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