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Working Thermostat Issues

If you’re like most people, there’s nothing better than coming home after a long day at work to a nice cool house in the summer. But when you open your front door and there’s no cold air to greet you, you’re likely to think that your air conditioner is on the fritz. You might be surprised to know, however, that your air conditioner may not be to blame at all. So what could it be? Your thermostat.

Thermostats are often overlooked when homeowners experience heating or cooling problems but they are often the culprit of temperature control problems. So rather than blaming it on the HVAC unit you have running, have a look at your thermometer first. You might be surprised by what you find.

Read on to refresh your knowledge about how thermostats work, learn how to fix a thermostat, and find out how to care for your HVAC unit to make sure it lasts as long as possible.

How a Thermostat Works

A thermostat is often ignored but it’s the most important part of your HVAC system. Why? Because that little piece of plastic and glass that is mounted to your wall controls the whole unit. Thermostats have come a long way from where they started out. It used to be common to set the temperature in your house by pushing a needle to the temperature mark and then you’d leave it there. Your only choices were on or off and that was it. 

These days, thermometers are becoming increasingly “smart” and have numerous capabilities and functions that make your life easier. Smart thermostats allow you to set different temperatures for different times in the day, pre-program when your HVAC unit should stop and start, and can even set different temperatures for different rooms in your house. 

Whether you have a “smart” or a “dumb” thermostat, HVAC technicians install them in the same way. Wiring from the unit is connected to the HVAC unit allowing the thermostat to send a signal to the unit for when to turn on or shut off at the right times.

Fixing a Thermostat

Thermostats are largely ignored when it comes to the overall function of HVAC units. However, your thermostat is one of the most important pieces of the process. So how can thermostats break and what do HVAC techs look for?

First, many thermostats are not only connected to a home’s electricity but are battery-powered. If a thermostat isn’t working, this is the first place to check. Changing the batteries might be all it takes for it to come back to life. Secondly, thermostats can get bumped into the “off” position. While this isn’t a “break,”, it’s certainly a problem if you can’t figure out why your HVAC unit isn’t working. 

Techs will often check to make sure all the settings are still on. Finally, they’ll remove the unit from the wall and check the wiring. If the wiring has been chewed through or has simply come disconnected from the unit, a replacement wire should get your thermostat back up and running in no time.

HVAC Maintenance Tips

Along with checking your thermostat to ensure proper functioning, it’s essential to maintain your HVAC unit regularly. Have an HVAC technician perform a visual inspection once a year. If they notice any problem areas, they’ll be able to take care of it right away. They’ll change filters, clean the unit of dust and debris, and check the condensation drain for backups. These yearly checkups are essential to keep your unit running smoothly.

Professional, Reliable HVAC Techs

Heidler Plumbing has provided quality plumbing and HVAC services for all of Annapolis, MD since 1947. Heidler Plumbing is family owned and operated and offers up-front, flat rate pricing on all their plumbing services.

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