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.