Signs Your Thermostat is Failing

Your thermostat is the nerve center of your HVAC system and when it’s not working properly, you not only feel uncomfortable in your home, but you’re also wasting energy. Constantly adjusting the thermostat puts more stress on your AC or furnace, causing it to run more and burn up greater amounts of electricity or natural gas. The first thing you can do is check to see if the thermostat batteries need changing. If that doesn’t work, look for these signs that your thermostat is failing.

AC or Furnace Won’t Kick On

An easy way to test this is to set the thermostat a few degrees above or below the room temperature. If you don’t hear a click and if the furnace or AC doesn’t kick on, then the problem could be the thermostat.

AC or Furnace Won’t Shut Off

This is the opposite problem which signals a lack of accurate communication between the thermostat and the HVAC system. The thermostat may need to be recalibrated or there may be a wiring issue.

The HVAC System is Short-Cycling

Short-cycling is when the AC or furnace kicks on, runs for a short period, shuts off, and then repeats the cycle. This is a frustrating situation that fails to resolve room temperature issues and wastes energy. The two main causes of short-cycling are a dirty air filter or a faulty thermostat.

The Smart Thermostat Resets Itself

If your smart thermostat is trying to outsmart you by resetting to default or the programmed settings keep getting deleted, then the thermostat may need to be replaced. While smart thermostats boast superior performance over older models, you can always end up with a dud. Upgrading to a better-quality smart thermostat will solve the problem.

Atlas Butler Can Help

If you are having HVAC problems and suspect it’s your thermostat, contact Atlas Butler at 614-681-2167. One of our HVAC professionals will assess the situation and if it’s the thermostat, replace it. We can recommend a new, more efficient smart thermostat which will be more reliable, resulting in a more comfortable home and lower energy bills.