Here in Margate, FL, it’s essential to have a dependable HVAC system. A faulty thermostat is one of the biggest culprits behind unreliable heating and cooling. Without a working thermostat, your AC doesn’t know when to turn on and how cool to make your home. Excessive heat and humidity are two red flags that you’re thermostat isn’t doing its job. Luckily, the team at Dr. HVAC Inc has worked with many faulty and broken thermostats over the years. Here are six signs our technicians recommend keeping an eye out for.
1. HVAC Won’t Turn On
If your AC has stopped turning on altogether, it’s natural to fear the worst. But before you start pricing out replacement options, you should first consider that the problem may be with the thermostat. Without a working thermostat, your AC and heater won’t turn on. This is a common symptom if your thermostat has reached the end of its natural life or if the batteries have died. Luckily, replacing an old thermostat is much quicker and cheaper than replacing your HVAC system.
2. HVAC Runs Non-stop
An HVAC system that never seems to stop running is also indicative of a broken thermostat. When a thermostat functions normally, it tells your HVAC system to reach a certain temperature before powering off. This process is dependent on your thermostat being calibrated to take accurate temperature readings of the room. An improperly calibrated thermostat will sometimes cause your HVAC system to run continuously instead.
As a rule of thumb, a healthy HVAC cycle should last between 15 and 20 minutes. If your cycles last much longer, then it’s time to have a technician troubleshoot the thermostat.
3. HVAC Runs in Short Cycles
As mentioned above, most HVAC cycles last roughly 15 minutes before going dormant for a half hour or longer, depending on what’s needed. Short cycling occurs when the HVAC is constantly turning on and off again. These short bursts of activity consume lots of energy while doing very little to impact the temperature inside your home. In some cases, the solution to short cycling is replacing a dirty air filter. However, it can also indicate that your thermostat isn’t accurately reading the temperature.
4. Nothing Happens When You Change Thermostat Settings
Adjusting the thermostat temperature should cause your HVAC system to respond instantly. You can test this feature by moving the temperature up or down several degrees. If you don’t hear your HVAC turn on within 30 seconds, there may be a problem with the thermostat. You can try restarting the device and changing the batteries to see if that helps. If the problem persists, you most likely need to replace the unit.
5. Thermostat Settings Are Wiped Out
Most modern thermostats are capable of being programmed to maintain a heating and cooling schedule. A malfunctioning thermostat may wipe out your preferences and reset to default settings. If you find yourself frustrated and re-entering the same information again and again, then something is amiss with the thermostat. A replacement thermostat from a reliable brand should fix this issue.
6. Different Temperatures Throughout Your Home
If you have a centralized HVAC system, the temperature throughout your home should be fairly consistent. However, dramatic temperature swings from one room to another can indicate a thermostat problem. It may be that the thermostat’s temperature sensor has gone out or that the device was installed in a bad location.
An experienced technician will be able to diagnose the exact nature of the issue. If a thermostat re-location is in order, we’ll choose a good location without exposure to sunlight or drafts.
Your Thermostat Technicians in Margate
Broken thermostats can cause a range of stressful issues, including uncomfortable temperature swings and high energy bills. Here at Dr. HVAC Inc, we provide dependable heating, cooling, and indoor air quality services throughout Margate and the surrounding communities. If you suspect something is wrong with your thermostat, we’ll send out a skilled technician to take a look. We’ll use state-of-the-art tools and techniques to diagnose the issue and make long-lasting repairs.
You shouldn’t have to live with the stress of a finicky thermostat. Call the team at Dr. HVAC Inc in Margate today to schedule an HVAC and thermostat inspection.
