How to Check That Your Thermostat is Working Properly

Whether you have a furnace, heat pump, or air conditioning, your home’s HVAC system has some powerful equipment. However, we’d argue that that most powerful component is something you wouldn’t expect – the thermostat.

How to Check That Your Thermostat is Working Properly

As the brains behind the operation, if the thermostat goes bad, it will affect the entire system. That’s why it’s important to recognize thermostat problems – or, even better, prevent them from happening with regular maintenance.

Signs that your thermostat is faulty

  • The display panel won’t turn on. Like most electronics, if the thermostat doesn’t have power, it’s not going to be very useful. If the display is unresponsive and you can’t turn it on, the batteries could be dead, there could be an electrical issue, or it’s completely broken.
  • Your home is uncomfortable. If you notice there’s a large difference between what the thermostat is set to and the actual indoor temperature, that’s a clue that something isn’t right somewhere in the HVAC system. Before investigating bigger problems with the heating or cooling system, it’s a good idea to make sure the thermostat isn’t the cause of the problem.
  • Your heating and cooling system won’t run or turn off. When there’s an issue with the thermostat, communication with the heating and cooling equipment can get thrown out of whack. Frayed wiring or poor calibration could prevent the unit from turning or turning off at the appropriate times. 

Ways to test your thermostat

There are a few simple tasks you can perform to make sure your thermostat is working properly. 

  • Adjust the temperature settings and see if the heating or cooling system responds. You should hear a click that indicates the unit is activated, then feel the heated/cooled air coming out of the vents soon after.
  • Double-check the settings. Make sure the thermostat is set to the appropriate “heat” or “cool” setting, depending on the season. Also, the fan should be set to “auto” – if it’s “on” it will run continuously. 
  • Replace the batteries. For digital thermostats, we recommend replacing the batteries in the back of the panel once a year.
  • Inspect the connections. While you have the thermostat cover off to replace the batteries, take a look at the wiring and connectors to make sure things don’t look out of place, frayed, or broken. If anything looks amiss, contact an HVAC professional. 

Professional HVAC service

Problems within a heating or cooling system can be tricky to pinpoint, even in a seemingly simple component like the thermostat. If your system isn’t working up to its full potential, call the go-to Evansville team at Baylor Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. We’re ready to help, so schedule an appointment at (812) 425-8435.

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