8 Common Thermostat Problems Houston, TX Homeowners Have and How to Fix Them
The average American family spends around $2,000 on energy costs each year, and more than half this amount is for heating and cooling costs. It costs money to heat and cool a house, but some people spend more than they should. For example, you might use more energy if you have an outdated furnace. You might also pay more if you have thermostat problems.
Many homeowners don't realize the role and importance of their thermostat, and they might not realize how many issues they can have from problems with this device.
If you'd like to learn more about thermostat problems, you'll want to continue reading. Here is a guide that explains eight common issue's people in Houston, TX, have with their thermostats and how to fix them.
1. Bad Calibration
A thermostat operates by telling your HVAC system when to kick on and off. You set the temperature you desire, and it connects to the furnace.
Unfortunately, a thermostat can only operate accurately when it's properly calibrated. Calibrating a thermostat means matching up the correct temperature to the settings.
For example, if a thermostat thinks that 70-degrees is 80-degrees, your heating system won't heat your home enough. Your thermostat's reading is wrong in this case, though, which means it has a wrong calibration.
There are many types of thermostats you can choose from for your home, and each might require a different calibration process. If you don't know how to calibrate yours, you can hire a heating company to do it for you.
Before they calibrate it, they'll test it to see if it's accurate. If the temperature is accurate, the calibration is fine and won't need adjustments.
2. Poor Location
If your house is too hot or too cold, it might be due to your thermostat location. A thermostat's placement is critical for heating and cooling a home properly.
For example, if your thermostat is by a drafty window, it might cause the temperature on the device to drop. As a result, your furnace will run more, causing the rest of your house to feel too hot.
On the other hand, if your thermostat is by your kitchen or fireplace, it will cause the temperature to show up higher on the device. As a result, your furnace will run less, leaving your home too cold.
A heating and air company can move a thermostat if its location is not ideal. When doing this, they will look for an area away from hot and cold things. In addition, they'll ensure that it's also in a draft-free area.
Moving a thermostat can make a big difference in feeling comfortable in your home. It can also lead to energy savings, as your HVAC system will only run when necessary.
3. Low or Bad Battery
One of the most common thermostat problems homeowners face involves a dead battery. Most thermostats operate from battery power. But, unfortunately, a battery won't last forever.
You can usually tell when the battery is going bad by looking at the thermostat. The numbers and letters on it might start fading or dimming. If you see this happening, it's a sign to change the battery.
Additionally, if your thermostat stops working and doesn't show anything on it, it's probably because the battery is completely dead.
Replacing a thermostat battery isn't difficult, but it requires removing it from the wall. You should find a small battery panel on the back when you remove it. You can open this panel and replace the battery to see if it works.
If this fixes the problem, you won't have to contact a heating company for a service call.
4. Display Not Working
A bad battery can cause a thermostat's display to stop working, but that's not the only cause. The other thing that might cause this is a bad thermostat.
Thermostats don't break too quickly, but they also don't last forever. So if replacing the battery doesn't fix the thermostat, you might need to replace the device.
Replacing a thermostat isn't something you should do yourself. Instead, hire a contractor to replace it. You can upgrade to a smart thermostat when replacing it if you don't have one yet.
5. Bad Wiring
Bad wiring is another problem you might have with your thermostat. Bad wiring might cause the display to stop working, but it can also cause the thermostat to miscommunicate with the furnace.
For example, if your furnace is running at times when it shouldn't be, there is a chance it's from bad wiring. Additionally, if your furnace won't run at all, it could also be from bad wiring.
A heating contractor can test and trace the wires to determine if this is the problem. They might have to reconnect wires or replace them to fix the problem.
6. System Not Producing the Right Air Temperature
Another problem you might encounter is your system not producing the right type of air. For example, if your system blows hot air when it should blow cool, you might wonder what is happening.
One thing you should check is the setting on your thermostat. Your thermostat might have several settings, including heat, cool, and fan.
The furnace won't work properly if you have it on the wrong setting. You should adjust your thermostat to fix this problem.
7. Thermostat Not Turning on When It Should
You might also encounter a time when your HVAC system turns on when it shouldn't. For example, if the temperature in your home matches the thermostat's setting, the furnace shouldn't turn on.
If your system runs at times when it shouldn't run, you might have a problem with the calibration. Additionally, the wiring could be bad, or the thermostat might be worn out.
8. Programmable Issues
Finally, if you have a programmable thermostat and encounter problems with the settings, you might need to find the manual. You can read through the manual to update or adjust the settings.
If you're still having problems programming it, you might need to hire an HVAC company for help.
Call Us to Fix Your Thermostat Problems
Do you have one of these thermostat problems? If your thermostat isn't working properly, you can try the tips listed here. If you're still having problems, you'll need a professional to fix them for you.
If you live in the Houston, TX, area, contact us at P & M. We offer quality services in the Greater Houston area and guarantee our work. Call us or visit our website to learn more.
Thermostat Not Working? Here's What To Do
At some point in our lives, we have all felt what it is like to experience thermostat problems. Depending on where you live, that could entail no cool air in the middle of summer or no heat during the winter. Texas is one of the hottest states in the country, so when your cooling system doesn't do its job, it can leave you in an uncomfortable situation. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to check before hiring professionals. Thermostat not working?
It's likely due to needing a battery replacement, but there are other possible causes. Learn what they are and what to do here.
Check the Power to the Thermostat
When your thermostat goes out, the first thing you want to do is check the power. Depending on what kind of thermostat you own, it may run on either AA or AAA batteries. Others work off of the power supply given off by your home's HVAC system.
To start, you'll need to identify which thermostat you own. If you suspect the batteries are dead, change them out and turn your thermostat back on. If it doesn't boot up, there may be another issue.
If you have a thermostat wired to your house, head to your breaker panel to check you haven't tripped a breaker. If you have, resetting the breaker is a simple fix.
However, if you blew a fuse, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration advises that unqualified personnel should not try to reenergize the circuit or fuse. That is because this poses a risk. So, if you suspect a fuse, be sure to call in a professional.
You also want to keep in mind that some thermostats work on a time delay. That means that even if it is your batteries or circuit breaker, the AC system may not boot up right away. Give it a few minutes to get going before you decide that it is faulty.
Check the Age of the Thermostat
The average lifespan for a thermostat is about 10-15 years. Age is one of the most common thermostat errors. So, check to see when you installed it.
If you live in an older house, look to see when the previous owners installed the thermostat. One way to tell age is whether the unit is digital or not. Most modern thermostats are digital, some with a touch screen.
Older systems are manual and may have dials or buttons on them. There is a chance that your thermostat is failing due to old age. If you suspect this to be an issue, then you might have to look into buying a whole new system.
If you have an old thermostat, then it contains mercury. Be sure not to throw it in the trash, as this is harmful to people and the environment.
Mercury poisoning can cause serious health effects to anyone exposed. Instead, be sure to recycle. That way, the mercury is handled by professionals.
Check the Mode of the Thermostat
It seems like a no-brainer, but go ahead and double-check the settings on your thermostat. Many people tend to jump to the worst possible conclusion when all that needs fixing is the mode.
If your AC is blowing warm air, make sure your thermostat isn't set to heat. That is an easy mistake to make, especially with digital thermostats. You can accidentally hit other buttons without realizing it.
Check the Temperature Setting
Along with the mode, you want to check the actual temperature setting. Look to see what the degree says on the unit. Some people like their homes to be a cool 74 degrees.
But your AC won't work if you accidentally set it higher or if you don't hit the necessary buttons. For instance, some thermostats require you to hit 'enter' before it starts cooling your house down.
Check the Calibration
Did you know that the placement of your thermostat system affects the unit's performance? Many people do not realize this, but the location is everything to keeping your system calibrated.
For instance, if your thermostat is near a window, then the sunlight may hit it and throw the temperature off. The same is true if you set it too close to a hot lamp or if there is a particularly drafty area in your home. To avoid misplacing your thermostat, speak to a professional who can assess your home and tell you the best location.
Call a Professional
If all of that troubleshooting doesn't work out, it is time to call in a professional service like us here at P&M. A company that specializes in HVAC systems will come out to check what is wrong with the thermostat.
They know all of the ins and outs, so their troubleshooting is much more thorough. That enables them to get to the root of the problem and fix your system so that you and your family remain comfortable in the hot Texas months.
Thermostat Not Working Services
As you can tell, there are several things you can do and check to see why your thermostat is giving out. Remember to check the battery and settings of the device. And if none of these tips help fix your thermostat, you may need to call some professionals.
At P&M, we offer high-quality services to ensure you stay comfortable during the hot Texas months. Feel free to contact us today and ask, "why is my thermostat not working?". We will gladly give you the answers you need and schedule an appointment to come out and fix the problem soon as possible.