One component of your air conditioning system that’s responsible for its entire functioning is its thermostat. From time to time, your thermostat may experience a malfunction that can prevent your entire system from operating or significantly reduce its efficiency. Below, we’ll address some of the key problems your thermostat may have so you can better respond to the issue when it happens.
Thermostat Not Working
One of the most obvious indicators of a thermostat malfunction is that it’s not working. If the display screen is on but none of the control buttons are working, you may simply have the child lock set. If the screen is completely blank, it’s a key indication that there’s no power going to your thermostat.
You can start by checking the circuit breaker to see if it tripped. If it did, simply reset it and see if your thermostat goes back to functioning like normal. If the breaker didn’t trip, try replacing the batteries inside your thermostat to see if that restores functionality. If it doesn’t, it’s necessary to contact one of our professionals for further evaluation. In most cases, the issue lies with wiring going to your thermostat, or the thermostat itself may be faulty and in need of replacement.
Inaccurate Readings
Another thermostat problem you may run into is that it seems to have an inaccurate temperature reading. This can happen due to two different circumstances. The first is that your thermostat was put in an improper location, which allows direct sunlight or heat-generating appliances to alter the thermostat’s temperature reading.
This happens most often when the thermostat is placed on a wall that receives direct sunlight as it causes your thermostat to read a higher temperature than the room actually is. This can create a lot of problems during the summertime as it will cause your air conditioning system to constantly run to cool the temperature in your home down. Unfortunately, this can make your home extremely cold and greatly increase your energy bills without the need to.
If you suspect that this is the underlying problem, it’s best to have one of our technicians relocate your thermostat to a more appropriate location. If your thermostat seems to be in a proper location away from any sunlight or heat-generating appliances, the issue could lie with its internal calibration. Over time, your thermostat can lose its programming and cause an inaccurate temperature reading. You’ll need one of our professionals to come out and recalibrate your broken thermostat so that it can read the appropriate internal temperature for your home.
Blowing Warm Air
If your AC isn’t working, the issue could lie with your thermostat. For example, your system produces cold air sometimes and warm air the next. This indicates a problem with your thermostat settings. The blower fan can be set to on, off, or auto. When set to auto, the blower fan for your ducting will only turn on when your air conditioning system is running.
However, if the blower fan is set to on, it will run nonstop. This means it will blow cold air when your AC is running but simply recirculate the air in your home when your AC isn’t running. This is a very easy fix as all you need to do is switch your thermostat’s blower to the auto setting.
Other Signs of Thermostat Problems
Apart from the issues that we went over above, there could be some other key signs that your thermostat is experiencing a malfunction. These include higher-than-normal energy bills, short cycling, and nonstop running. One tactic you can try to restore the normal functioning of your air conditioning system is resetting your thermostat.
Most programmable and smart thermostats have a reset function that allows you to restore the thermostat’s default settings. This is great for when your thermostat has an internal software glitch that’s hindering its proper performance. If resetting your thermostat doesn’t do the trick, it’s best to schedule a professional system evaluation. One of our knowledgeable HVAC technicians can thoroughly evaluate your thermostat to determine the root cause of the issue and repair it with ease.
Expert Thermostat Repair Services
Kobella Plumbing Heating Cooling offers expert air conditioning repair services for the Chesterland, OH area. We can also assist with all your thermostat installation, replacement, and recalibration needs. Call our friendly office staff today to schedule your next appointment with one of our helpful service technicians.
