Your thermostat and air conditioning system work together to keep your Maryland home comfortable all summer long. If your thermostat isn’t working right, chances are you’re going to experience some discomfort this season. Grove Heating & Cooling explains the bad thermostat symptoms you need to watch out for, as well as your options to resolve thermostat problems.
Bad Thermostat Symptoms
If you notice cooling problems in the home, you may also notice one or more of these thermostat issues:
Your Cooling System Constantly Turns On or Off
The primary purpose a thermostat serves is to communicate to your cooling equipment. In the summer, it relays messages to the air conditioner or heat pump to reduce the temperature inside the home. If your cooling unit isn’t responding to temperature signals from the thermostat, it’s likely that your thermostat is having an issue.
Short cycling is among the most common reasons thermostats are replaced. Short cycling can occur when the thermostat shuts off the cooling system before it should, and fails to complete a full cooling cycle.
The wiring in your thermostat may be damaged, disrupting the connection between the cooling unit and its controls. Call an expert to identify if wiring problems are the issue at fault and make repairs if possible. The thermostat may need to be replaced if it is no longer communicating with the home’s HVAC equipment.
Thermostat Readings Are Incorrect
A properly calibrated thermostat will make sure that your indoor spaces do not get too cold or hot. Improper temperature readings are one of the faulty thermostat symptoms you need to be aware of.
To determine if the temperature is accurate, test the reading of the thermostat using an indoor thermometer. If the readings on your thermostat are not correct, the thermostat’s sensor may be failing. The cause could be due to age, the need for calibration, or other defects.
Increased Energy Bills
A failing thermostat can thwart all efforts to lower household cooling costs. An unexpectedly high electric bill may be the first sign you have of a failing thermostat. If the thermostat isn’t properly measuring the temperature, it is likely to result in your cooling unit working too hard. The more frequently the system runs per hour, the greater its power consumption.
Temperature Swings
A defective thermostat is typically unable to maintain the temperature settings you input. It can change temperature settings with no prior warning or misread temperatures, causing the cooling system to produce temperatures higher or lower than you like.
You can lower the thermostat setting to test it and observe the results. If the same issue occurs, contact a technician to investigate. There could be a loose connection, or the thermostat may be in need of replacement.
No Response from the Thermostat
Once you have adjusted temperatures, the thermostat should immediately react to the changes and send appropriate signals to instruct your cooling system. In most cases, you’ll hear a clicking noise when you adjust the settings, and your HVAC system starts almost immediately. If the HVAC system isn’t turning on when you change the thermostat settings, chances are it requires replacement.
Solving Bad Thermostat Symptoms
Some thermostat issues have easy fixes and a simple repair can restore the thermostat’s function. Severe thermostat problems may require that a new unit be installed.
Homeowners have many options to choose from when selecting a new thermostat:
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats can be programmed but they don’t require it. When you use them, these thermostats will learn your preferred temperatures and household schedule. The thermostat automatically switches between settings that are energy efficient and in line with your preferences. You can also control a smart thermostat remotely, which is an incredibly handy feature to have.
Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats are programmable and automatically adjust cooling system operation to achieve the desired temperature over the course of the day. Program desired temperature setpoints based on your preferences and when the home will be occupied.
Contact Grove for Thermostat Repair and Replacement
If you notice any bad thermostat symptoms this summer, don’t waste time calling Grove Heating & Cooling. Our team will inspect your thermostat, perform repairs if possible, or install a new thermostat that provides precision control over your cooling system.
