Signs Your HVAC System Needs a New Thermostat

There are a few components that are absolutely vital to the operations of any HVAC system, and one well-known example is the thermostat. The thermostat controls the heating or cooling output from your HVAC system and is in charge of several related areas, and it could create some significant problems if it’s not working correctly – but there are often some identifiable signs that might signal this is happening. 

At Thompson’s Comfort Connection, we’re happy to offer a wide range of furnace repair, air filtration and other HVAC services, including attention to your thermostat for whatever needs may arise. In many cases, thermostats will wear down or become damaged to the point that they require replacement – what are some of the signs that this might be happening to your furnace? Let’s have a look at some indicators it might be time for an upgrade.

Constant Turn-Ons and Turn-Offs

While your HVAC system should be turning on and off periodically to maintain an even temperature, if it’s doing so constantly without maintaining a steady level of heat or cold, this could be a sign that the thermostat is malfunctioning. This is likely caused by either wiring issues or too much dust buildup around the thermostat itself.

In other cases, it might be due to a damaged thermostat that needs to be replaced, and there may even be an issue with the sealing between your walls and vents if too much dust is making its way into your home.

Inaccurate Readings

If you’re noticing that the temperature readings from your thermostat are inaccurate or fluctuating wildly, this could also be a red flag. We’re not talking as much about small errors in temperature, which may happen on functional thermostats from time to time; rather, we mean major inaccuracies in readings, like your thermostat saying it’s 90°F when it feels much cooler than that.

This is a clear sign something isn’t right – and it could be due to several issues. It could be a wiring issue or the presence of dust and debris, but there may also be a broken temperature sensor or an issue with the calibration of your thermostat. In most cases, however, this kind of issue dictates a new thermostat purchase.

Rising Energy Bills With No Explanation

If you’ve checked on all the other possible explanations for a rising energy bill, such as air leaks, but still can’t find the cause, a malfunctioning thermostat could be an issue. If your thermostat is running constantly and not turning off, it will drive up your energy costs over time – so this is often a sign that something needs to be done.

In these cases, replacing your thermostat with a new one is a smart move to make, as it will provide you with much more reliable energy efficiency in your home.

Settings Changes See No Response

Have you noticed that when you make changes to thermostat settings, there seems to be no response? If so, this is usually an indicator that the thermostat isn’t sending signals properly to your HVAC system. Thermostats are designed to communicate with and direct the heating or cooling output of your furnace or air conditioner, but if they’re not doing that it could mean a few different things.

It could be a wiring issue, or it could be something more serious like a faulty temperature sensor or bad calibration. In any case, if you can’t get the thermostat to respond after making changes, it’s worth getting an experienced HVAC technician to check out your unit and investigate the possibilities.

The Thermostat is Old

While this isn’t necessarily a “sign” per se, it’s still worth noting that one of the most common reasons people replace their thermostat is simply because it’s gotten too old. If your thermostat is more than 10 years old, chances are it will start having issues sooner rather than later – and this could mean you need to look into getting a new one in order to restore reliable control over your HVAC system.

Upgrading Thermostat Format

Down related lines, your current thermostat might be of an older variety, such as an analog one that must be adjusted manually. If you’re looking for more advanced features, such as Wi-Fi connectivity and the ability to remotely control your thermostat from your phone or tablet, it might be worth considering an upgrade to a newer model.

The modern “smart” thermostat, on the other hand, will provide you with much more control and customization capabilities. Not only that, but many of these models come shipped with their own app for easy setup and use – so if you’re looking to get the most from your HVAC system, this might be a great option for you.

Thermostats are an essential part of any HVAC system, so it’s important to be aware of any signs that might indicate something is wrong with yours. Keep an eye out for things like inaccurate readings, rising energy bills for no apparent reason, and settings changes not resulting in anything – and if you’re dealing with an old thermostat model, consider investing in a smart one.

For more here, or to learn about any of our HVAC solutions and air quality services, speak to our team at Thompson’s Comfort Connection today.