Difficulties could range from your AC thermostat being a degree or two off to a totally unresponsive thermostat. Whatever your thermostat problems, you should always take them seriously. It’s not just your comfort that’s at stake.
A malfunctioning thermostat could also use more energy than you intended, resulting in a sky-high electricity bill. The good news is it’s easy to diagnose thermostat fault symptoms. Here’s what you need to know.
Inaccurate Temperature Readings
Sometimes, a malfunctioning thermostat will display a temperature that doesn’t match the actual temperature in the room. If your thermostat reads 70 degrees, but it’s so cold you can see your breath, you have a problem.
But a difference of a couple of degrees is harder to detect. Even if you don’t suspect anything is amiss, it makes sense to periodically check your thermostat reading against a separate thermometer. If the two numbers don’t match, it suggests a fault with your thermostat.
Inaccurate temperature readings may be caused by miscalibrated thermostat settings. Another potential cause is dirt accumulation interfering with the sensors. Also, don’t overlook the possibility of a heat source close to the thermostat affecting the reading.
Your HVAC System Doesn’t Start Up
As soon as you set a temperature on your thermostat, you should hear your HVAC system come to life. If you’re greeted with nothing but silence, it suggests an issue with your thermostat.
The most common causes of an unresponsive HVAC system are electrical faults. There might be a blown fuse somewhere. In this case, all you’ll need to do is replace the fuse. It could also be a wiring problem, which is a bit more complicated.
It’s also possible the thermostat itself is faulty. If you’re lucky, there’s an easy fix. See if you can reset the thermostat; this is often all it takes to clear the system of a glitch. Don’t forget to check if the thermostat battery is dead.
High Utility Bills
Unfortunately, a strangely high utility bill is often how people discover a faulty thermostat. A malfunction with your thermostat could cause it to run excessively.
You should pay close attention to your utility bills. Often, you can diagnose thermostat concerns early by noticing subtle increases in utility costs. To confirm the thermostat is the cause, compare your thermostat settings with your actual HVAC running times.
In some cases, you can fix the issue by adjusting your thermostat settings. If adjusting the settings doesn’t work, consider having a qualified technician take a look.
An HVAC Pro Can Diagnose Your Thermostat Fault Symptoms
While some thermostat fault symptoms have an easy fix, more complex faults require expertise. If it’s not as simple as resetting your thermostat or changing the battery, you might need to call in a pro.
Metfab Heating and Cooling is here to help. Whatever your thermostat issues, we know how to solve them. With almost 50 years of experience in HVAC, nothing surprises us anymore. Call or write us today, and let’s figure out your thermostat problems.