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How Do You Know If Your Thermostat Is Bad? 6 Tell-Tale Signs

On July 13th, 2020

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Have you had a hard time getting your thermostat to work recently? Are you struggling to gauge what temperature your home is really at throughout the day? If so, then you might be dealing with a bad thermostat.

Not many people realize that thermostats actually go bad until the first time it happens to them. For that reason, it's important to know the signs of a bad thermostat and when it's time to replace it with a new one.

How do you know if your thermostat is bad? Be sure to read below for a list of symptoms that you can use to know when it's time to have it replaced.

1. Unresponsiveness

Are you having trouble getting the thermostat to work correctly? Seems like every time you go to adjust it, it's either delayed or entirely unresponsive to the buttons you press.

Try going up to your thermostat and making it a few degrees hotter or colder. Then wait about 30 minutes or so to see if you notice any change in temperature. If not, then you've got a thermostat that's past its prime.

The age-old question, "how long does a home thermostat last?" shouldn't determine when it's time to replace your thermostat. While the average house thermostat will last around ten years, you should replace yours earlier if it's unresponsive.

2. The HVAC Unit Won't Turn Off

Have you noticed that your HVAC system is constantly running, no matter the day or the night? If it's constantly running without a break, it could spell disaster for your entire system. You'll want to figure out the root of the problem right away.

To do so, you will need a trusted air-conditioning repair company to come in and take a look.

If the unit is constantly running, there are two common reasons why: 1) your thermostat is faulty or 2) the wiring within your system is worn down. Either way, you'll want an expert to identify the issue and fix it (or replace it) as quickly as possible.

3. The Lighting Isn't Working

Many thermostats, especially the more modern ones, will light up in response to you initially pressing a button. This is to let you know that the thermostat is operational and responding to your requests.

However, you might start to notice that it takes pushing the button a few times for the lighting to kick on these days. If so, consider it the first of many "warning signs" to come.

Eventually, you'll reach a point where the lighting doesn't turn on at all. When that happens, start by replacing the battery on your thermostat. If that doesn't do the trick, then it's a sign that you need to switch the thermostat out for a new one.

4. Room Temperature and Thermostat Aren't Lining Up

Here's one of the most helpful ways to find out if your thermostat is bad. Walk into the nearest room and use an indoor thermometer to see what the temperature is.

You might notice that the temperature on your indoor thermometer and the temperature your thermostat has been set at don't match. If that's the case, then it could be a sign that your thermostat is fading fast.

Granted, certain things could cause the temperature to differ from the thermostat. Some rooms are going to be naturally more difficult for your HVAC system to maintain a consistent temperature inside.

If the room is smaller and has more access to natural lighting, then it might always be a few degrees higher than the thermostat. However, if the temperature difference is significant, it's a sign that it's time to replace your current one.

5. Air-Conditioning Won't Turn On

You've already been warned that an AC unit not turning off is a sign of a faulty thermostat, but the opposite could also be true!

The thermostat's main job is to signal to your HVAC system when it's time to turn on and off. Any time that you adjust the temperature in your home, the thermostat sends an electrical signal to either the heater or AC unit, telling it to turn on.

However, as thermostats age, that electrical signal becomes more and more difficult for it to submit. Even if the thermostat is relatively young, there might be faulty wiring to blame.

Obviously, in the harsh summer months, going a day without your air-conditioning is not an option. Be sure to reach out to an expert as soon as possible.

6. Furnace Blowing Cool Air

The last thing you can do if you believe your thermostat to be faulty is going to turn to your furnace for tell-tale signs.

If you walk past one of your vents and notice cool air being blown when you want to use heat, the thermostat might be to blame, especially if you were already suspecting an issue.

When you notice that, be sure to walk past the boiler and see if any surrounding parts (such as baseboards and radiators) aren't getting warm. If not, then reach out to a repair service right away.

How Do You Know If Your Thermostat Is Bad? Be Attentive to Its Issues

How do you know if your thermostat is bad? Use these several tell-tale signs you've just read as your guide.

Be sure to read this article for an air-conditioner maintenance checklist. There you'll find more information on how to make sure the AC is working as it should.

For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we'll be happy to assist you further!

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