Does Your Thermostat Need to Be Replaced? Here’s How to Know

Your thermostat is literally a fixture in your home, so it’s extremely easy to take it for granted on a day-to-day basis – that is, until you feel summer’s heat or winter’s chill creeping into your erstwhile perfectly comfortable home. While the need for it generally doesn’t arise often, thermostat replacement is a critical part of home maintenance.

Before you call for service, here are some steps that may help determine whether or not you’re actually experiencing a thermostat failure.

Signs of a Potential Thermostat Problem

Typically, homeowners realize there’s a problem with the thermostat when the heat or air conditioning doesn’t turn on when the temperature passes the set point. Alternatively, the system may go into rapid cycling – that is, turning on and off every few minutes. You may even simply wander past and notice that the display isn’t lit. These are all signs that thermostat replacement may be in your immediate future.

Troubleshooting Your Thermostat

The cause of a malfunctioning thermostat isn’t always the thermostat itself. Before you jump straight to thermostat replacement, try these simple tasks:

• Change the battery. A dead battery will trigger the same symptoms as a dead thermostat.
• Confirm the breaker is flipped to “on.” In most homes, the breaker box includes labels so you can easily find the one that controls the thermostat.
• Check for debris buildup. Over time, household dust and dirt can interfere with electrical connections and impact thermostat function.
• Examine the wiring on the back. Flip the breaker off before touching any wires. Look for corrosion, breaks, loose wires and buildup that might explain the lack of power. Be careful not to drop the wires and lose them inside your wall.
• Take the thermostat out of the circuit. Detach the two wires from the back of the thermostat and twist the ends together, then flip the breaker back on. If the thermostat is bad, the blower on your system will turn on.

For more information on thermostat replacement, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We offer comprehensive HVAC services to Lorain, Elyria, Oberlin, and the surrounding areas.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.

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