Smart thermostats have been gaining in popularity and many homeowners are discovering the convenience and efficiency they offer. However, as with any technology, they can pose some challenges.
Here are some smart thermostat issues to look out for.
1. Thermostat won’t connect to the internet.
This could be the wireless router and modem. Hit reset for the wireless connection; if that doesn’t work, try resetting the modem. Call your internet service provider to see if there’s an issue with the connection.
2. Some smart thermostats may fail without a C-wire.
Most newer thermostats have a C-wire, or common wire with a continuous flow of 24 VAC power to the thermostat. If you don’t have one, you need to run a cable from the furnace to the thermostat before you install a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats need a continuous supply of electricity. If batteries fail, and there’s no C-wire, the thermostat will start trying to pull electricity from your HVAC system to charge its internal battery. This results in an on-off pulsing that tells the heating and cooling to turn on and off, which can cause some serious problems. Talk to your HVAC consultant about installing a C-wire.
3. Sensor located in the wrong place.
A learning smart thermostat relies on information it receives through a sensor, usually located near the thermostat. If this sensor is located in an area of the home where there is very little traffic, it will “learn” just that. To work properly, so it will know when to deliver heating and cooling and how much, it needs to be in a location where it can accurately measure traffic.
4. HVAC system and thermostat don’t match.
When you choose a smart thermostat, confer with your HVAC consultant to make sure it’s a good match for your HVAC system. Most older HVAC systems were designed to simply heat and cool, rather than to communicate with the control technology represented by smart thermostats.
To learn more about common smart thermostat issues, contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning. We serve Lorain and the surrounding area.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area