Thermostats are one of the most important parts of HVAC systems. A thermostat continually measures the temperature in your home, ensuring that it signals the furnace to turn on and off at the appropriate times. If the thermostat is malfunctioning or miscalibrated, it can lead to issues with higher energy bills or decreased comfort.
Making sure your thermostat is working properly is crucial for ensuring the furnace doesn’t have to work overtime and experience unnecessary wear and tear. In this article, we’ll look at the most common signs that a thermostat isn’t working correctly and the benefits that upgrading to a smart thermostat provides.
Thermostat Isn’t Displaying the Correct Temperature
Thermostats, especially older units, can sometimes have a problem that prevents them from providing an accurate temperature reading. Even something as seemingly minor as dust inside the thermostat can lead to it not registering the correct temperature. If your thermostat isn’t providing accurate readings, it will result in the furnace either running more than necessary or not often enough. That means your house may frequently get too hot or often not be warm enough. The best way to avoid this is to periodically check whether your thermostat is displaying the right temperature.
To test the thermostat, you just need to hold an instant-read kitchen thermometer next to the thermostat until it displays a steady temperature. If the two temperature readings differ by more than 1 or 2 degrees, it typically indicates that the thermostat needs to be recalibrated or repaired. Before calling for service, it’s a good idea to remove the thermostat cover and gently clean the inside with compressed air. If dust on the sensor was preventing it from providing an accurate reading, it should work correctly once you’ve cleaned it.
Short Cycling
Short cycling is when an HVAC system runs for a few minutes and then only stays off for a short time before turning back on. This can happen because the furnace is oversized, keeps overheating, or its control board is malfunctioning. It can also happen because the thermostat is malfunctioning or miscalibrated. Constantly cycling on and off puts a huge amount of extra strain on a furnace and increases the chances of it suddenly breaking down. Furnaces that continuously short-cycle typically also have a much shorter lifespan. As such, you should make sure to schedule an inspection as soon as possible if your furnace ever starts short-cycling.
Furnace Shuts Off Too Soon
When your furnace shuts off, the thermostat should always show that the temperature is 1 or 2 degrees above the setpoint. If the furnace shuts off and the thermostat shows that the temperature is still below the setpoint, you should first make sure that the air filter is still clean. A dirty filter will often lead to the furnace overheating and shutting down prematurely. If the filter is clean or the issue persists after replacing it, it typically indicates that the thermostat is malfunctioning or that there’s an electrical problem or a problem with the control board.
Certain Rooms Never Get Fully Warm
Cold spots in certain parts of a house can happen because the furnace isn’t receiving sufficient airflow due to an issue with the blower, the ductwork, or a clogged filter. Uneven heating can also be a sign that the thermostat is registering the wrong temperature and thinks the house is warmer than it is, resulting in it signaling the furnace to shut off too soon.
Benefits of Upgrading to a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats provide many benefits beyond just the convenience of being able to control your HVAC system remotely and monitor your home’s temperature with an app. Most units provide more accurate readings than basic programmable thermostats, allowing for more precise temperature control. You can also install additional temperature sensors in different parts of your house and connect them to the smart thermostat. This enables the thermostat to monitor the average temperature across the house to provide more consistent comfort from room to room. You can use the app to have the thermostat just use the reading from any of the sensors, such as the one in your bedroom. This helps ensure the bedroom is comfortable before you go to bed and throughout the night.
Another major benefit of a smart thermostat is that it will help lower your energy bills. Studies show that most people see between an 8% and 12% reduction in their heating and cooling costs after upgrading to a smart thermostat. By reducing how much your HVAC system runs, a smart thermostat can also help prevent breakdowns and potentially even extend the life of your furnace.
Arce Heating & AC has been providing premier HVAC services in Fort Mill and the Greater Charlotte area since 2009. Our family-owned and -operated company offers expert thermostat repair services and can fix any issues you encounter or assist you in upgrading to a smart thermostat. If you’re concerned that your thermostat isn’t working properly or may soon fail, contact us for expert service and advice.
