Some stats say that the United States uses more electricity in their air conditioning alone than the whole of Africa uses for any other purpose. This shows how important HVAC is to the American community and why having a working HVAC thermostat is important in any household.
Sometimes, though, such a system fails to function adequately. There might be many reasons for this, and it is always frustrating when you need to troubleshoot exactly why.
The following are some of the more common HVAC thermostat issues that you might encounter. By reading through this article, you should have a good collection of methods to fix your thermostat should it ever go wrong in your home.
Why Does the Thermostat Not Reach the Preferred Temperature?
Sometimes you might be waiting for far too long for the temperature to change in an area. There are a few things that could cause this.
First of all, it may be that the sensor for detecting the ambient temperature has broken. As a part of your home like any other, the sensor might gain a buildup of dust or dirt. This detritus can start to affect how the thermostat determines how warm it is in the surrounding area.
If this is the case, then first of all you should remove the cover to the thermostat to check for dirt. Then, if necessary, clean the inside of the device using a soft-bristled cleaning brush to remove any grime.
If that does not solve the problem, you might instead have a broken thermostat on your hands. If this is the case, you should contact a local professional. They will ensure that they complete any repairs with the appropriate expertise.
Why Can’t the Thermostat Change Temperature?
This is not always the result of a broken AC thermostat. Sometimes, it might be the case that someone has locked the device.
This might be because the owner wants to keep children or other family members from setting it. Although it is also becoming common to do this in Airbnbs or similar locations.
If the child lock is on, you will need to disable this function before you can change the temperature.
Another possibility is that the thermostat is not receiving power, and as such will not display anything at all. If that is the case, there may be a larger issue elsewhere. Check your circuit breaker and associated wiring to see if mains power controls it, or the batteries if not.
Why Is My System Always on?
If your heating or cooling systems are always running, you should check the settings for your HVAC thermostat. It may be that the fan is set to automatic. If that is the case, it will continue to cycle air through the system rather than only turning on when necessary.
Another possibility is that your thermostat may not be registering temperature correctly. Check it alongside other thermometers and see if it is accurate. If not, it could be always trying to heat or cool the situation.
Why Does the Display Not Show?
One of the more common HVAC problems is that the thermostat refuses to show any information at all. If this is the case with your device, there could be many reasons why this occurs.
First of all, you might be that your device has run out of battery power. If this is true, all you need to do is open up the device and replace them with new batteries. Then, if the device restarts that is the issue solved.
If the above does not solve the problem, you will instead want to call in a professional to check the device.
Should you have chosen to use a hard-wired thermostat, then no batteries will help. Instead, check the circuit breaker for the wire powering the thermostat and check that it still receives power. It could be the case that you only need to check the safety of that circuit and then flip it back on.
Why Will the HVAC Not Turn on Properly?
Your thermostat needs to be set up to begin its job of climate-controlling your home. If you have not done so, you will find that it will not run. As such, you should make sure that you turn on both the heating and cooling options in your thermostat.
If you can only have heating or cooling turned on at once, you should make sure that you customize its settings to your home or office.
There is also a chance that your whole HVAC system is overheating or has a similar issue. Watch for the telltale signs. For example, if it runs for a short amount of time before shutting down then there is likely an airflow or heating issue.
If the above is true, check the HVAC filters and make sure that all the vents are open. This will ensure that it can run without any dust impeding the airflow. Although you should be aware that it cannot run as soon as it turns off automatically for safety reasons.
If it still does not work after this, there is likely a larger underlying reason. If that is the case, get in contact with a professional who can discuss your options with you.
Why Does The Thermostat Take Longer to Adjust Temperature?
While thermostat troubleshooting, you might that the device is slow. It might take a long time to alter the temperature within a room.
If you find this to be true, check that the temperature sensors are working, or that they are in the correct locations. If they connect to the wrong room, or if a wall now exists between where they are and where must be climate controlled. If this is true, they will not work to peak efficiency.
More Questions on HVAC Thermostat Issues
With the above information in mind, you should now have a good set of common resolutions for HVAC thermostat issues. One of the best ways to avoid such problems, though, is to maintain your HVAC system. There is no better way to do this than by hiring a professional like us to come and take a look at it once in a while.
Our people are ready to talk to you about what we can provide for you. So, give us a call and start your journey towards a well-maintained AC thermostat today.