Is Your Heating System Out of Control? Check Your Thermostat!
Thermostats function as your home’s HVAC control center, making them crucial to the proper operation of your heating system. Even so, the thermostat is sometimes the last thing homeowners think about when there is a heating system issue.
Many homes have multiple heating and cooling zones, each with its own thermostat. Each unit needs to be working properly and communicating with the others to maintain your comfort. If a thermostat malfunctions, your heating (or cooling) systems won’t work properly and you could experience a range of issues, such as:
The heating system doesn’t start.
Temperatures drop, but there’s no response from your furnace or boiler? Your thermostat may not be set properly or may not be communicating with the heating equipment. Check the thermostat to make sure it is set for at least 10 degrees above the room temperature. If your heating system doesn’t kick on, it could be another issue. Run through the standard troubleshooting steps, and then give us a call if there is still no heat.
The heating system runs constantly.
This could also be a thermostat setting issue. Make sure the temperature isn’t set too high. Alternatively, this could be an equipment malfunction or an alert that it is time to replace your thermostat.
The heating system produces uneven temperatures throughout the house.
Why is it so cold on one side of the home, but nice and toasty on the other? Cold spots can be the result of a quirky thermostat that keeps switching the heating system on and off at the wrong times.
To rule out whether or not your thermostat is causing these or other heating issues, here are some factors to consider:
- Thermostat’s positioning. A thermostat calls for heat based on the ambient temperature. If there’s a heat source nearby such as a television, light fixture, radiator or other large appliance, the thermostat’s reading will be skewed, and your home will be cold!
- Thermostat needs cleaning. Dust and grime buildup can cause a thermostat to misread temperatures or fail to switch the heating system on and off when necessary.
- Thermostat’s age. An old thermostat can stop working properly, as with any other electronic device in the home.
- Thermostat needs new batteries. If the thermostat is low on power it can affect the temperature readings and system communications.
Luckily, you have Tracey Energy on call. We can replace and update your faulty thermostat with an energy-saving smart thermostat! These units learn your preferred comfort levels and adjust automatically for nighttime, work/school and weekend settings. You can manage your systems from anywhere, and even integrate them with your smartphone’s GPS to “sense” your arrival or departure to turn your comfort systems on or off.
Of course, if the problem is more complex than a thermostat replacement, your Tracey Energy home comfort experts will be able to make any repairs necessary to get your entire heating system back on track. Learn more at TraceyEnergy.com, then give us a call!
