Can Home Thermostats Go Bad?

Your home thermostat can be defective. It may be a simple repair, or you may need a complete replacement. This will all depend on the problem with the thermostat. There are several things you can do to detect a thermostat issue. After you have determined an issue, you should troubleshoot to see what the problem may be.

Four Signs of A Bad Thermostat

It is unresponsive.

• If you go to touch your thermostat buttons and it does not light up, nor does the temperature change in your home, this is an indication that something is wrong with the thermostat. It may be as simple as changing the batteries out, or something else could be wrong.

The unit will not come on.

• If you turn your heating and air on and it does not come on, this is a sign that there may be a wiring issue between it and the thermostat.

Your unit will not cut off.

• If your heating and air conditioning unit runs continuously and will not turn off, the wiring between the thermostat and the unit may be frayed, or the thermostat is not calibrated correctly.

Room temperatures and settings do not match.

• If you find that your thermostat is reading a temperature, but your home is not that, it is an indicator that your thermostat is faulty.

How to Troubleshoot Your Thermostat

If you have noticed the signs above, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot your thermostat and find the problem.

Step #1: Check the Settings

Look at your thermostat and make sure that it is set in the right setting. For example, make sure that it is set on heat mode when you want the heater to come on.

Step #2: Turn the Temperature Up or Down By Five Degrees

Turn the thermostat up or down by five degrees. 

Listen for a click and then wait for the unit to come on.

Step #3: Replace the Batteries

If your thermostat is not giving you any light or signal, try replacing the batteries.

Step #4: Clean the Thermostat

If you have a mechanical thermostat, they can get full of dust, which can cause them not to function well. Clean the thermostat with a brush or cloth, taking special care to avoid damaging it.

Step #5: Check and Test Wires

If you want to check to see if there is any power getting to the thermostat itself:

• Take the thermostat apart and check the wiring.
• Check to see if there are any loose connections.
• Reconnect and see if the problem still exists.

If you take the steps above and your thermostat is still unresponsive, it is time to call an HVAC professional at Ardmore Fresh Air. Our HVAC experts know exactly how to fix your thermostat and have it up and running again. Contact Ardmore Fresh Air today for all of your heating and cooling needs.