Is your thermostat working as it should? Or do you have nagging suspicions that something isn’t quite right? Thermostats have gotten very complex in recent years, and it may be more difficult to tell whether the unit is actually malfunctioning. Or maybe there’s simply an incorrect setting. You can usually count on a thermostat working correctly. Still, any device may eventually stop functioning properly. A programmable thermostat that’s working properly should keep your home reliably comfortable and efficient at all times. If you can’t count on that, here are some symptoms that may indicate you have a problem when it comes to your thermostat:
- HVAC components don’t turn on according to programmed settings. That’s an essential failure. If your furnace or AC fails to start up per your prescribed thermostat settings, it may be that the thermostat is not communicating with the furnace or AC. Alternatively, the thermostat may not be programmed correctly or may not be retaining programmed settings.
- HVAC units short-cycle. If heating or cooling components turn on per the programmed setting but then rapidly turn off again, it could be a problem in the furnace or AC component itself. However, certain thermostat malfunctions may also be the reason for short-cycling. Either way, you’ll need a qualified HVAC technician to trace this problem.
- HVAC units don’t turn off. If the furnace or AC keeps running and the house heats up or cools down excessively, double-check the programmed temperature setting. If it’s correct, then the thermostat isn’t signaling the unit to turn off, and you may need to manually shut down the HVAC unit and then call for professional service.
- Programmed settings disappear. Unless someone in the house is deliberately deleting temperature settings, the disappearance of programmed temperatures is likely due to an internal fault in the thermostat itself. If so, replacing the thermostat with a new unit is probably the most efficient option.
If you have suspicions about your thermostat not working correctly, contact Jackson & Sons for experienced technical assistance to resolve the problem.