Considering that the thermostat is a small, inconspicuous item on the wall, it often appears not to have a big impact on a home’s HVAC system. However, the fact is that it serves as a device where you can instruct your heating and cooling system to produce your desired temperature. That said, even a small malfunction in your thermostat can cause multiple problems in your heating equipment, including a rise in energy bills and even the failure of your cooling system. This is why an HVAC professional should be consulted when there are problems with your thermostat and heating systems.
In this post, we talk about some common problems of having a faulty thermostat and how it affects your heating system.
It Can Be Hard to Diagnose Thermostat Problems
You can think of the thermostat as the central processing unit of your HVAC system. This feature allows you to choose your desired indoor temperature and schedule specific settings for your heating and cooling system. No matter what you set your thermostat to, each part of your heating and cooling system will operate as it was designed to.
A malfunctioning thermostat, however, can make it difficult to control your HVAC system and can be just as problematic as a malfunctioning HVAC unit. It is possible that your heater or air conditioner does not turn on when they are supposed to or does not turn off when you need them to. In addition to being uncomfortable, both of these issues waste energy and money as well. Keeping your thermostat in good working order is the best way to protect your heating system and keep your attic insulation effective.
Effects of a Faulty Thermostat on Your Heating System
- Short Cycling
If the thermostat in your HVAC system is broken, it won’t read the temperature correctly. Your HVAC will short cycle as a result. When your HVAC system turns on and off a lot, this is called short cycling. When this happens, your HVAC system will make excessive noise. Furthermore, if your HVAC system keeps short-cycling, your heating and cooling bills will go up quickly.
The main reason for high energy bills is that when your HVAC system short-cycles, it uses more power and has to work harder to heat and cool your home as you want it to. Your heating expenses will go up because of this.
Another thing to note is that short cycling can cause friction between HVAC components. At some point, these parts will stop working. The good thing is that thermostats are separate devices, so they’re often easier to repair or replace than other parts of residential or commercial HVAC systems.
- Inefficient Heating
A lack of heating or a heating system that will not turn on at all can indicate a variety of issues. The thermostat is usually the first thing technicians check. This is to make sure you did not just forget to change the setting, switch to the heating mode or set the thermostat.
If the thermostat displays a temperature that differs from the ambient temperature, it is most likely the source of the heating problem. This is also the case if the thermostat displays nothing. While diagnosing this problem with a manual thermostat is more difficult, the technician can do additional checks to ensure it is properly adjusted. If the thermostat is displaying the correct temperature but not the temperature you require, the issue is most likely elsewhere in the system.
- Uneven Temperatures
A disconnected or malfunctioning thermostat will cause uneven heating in your home. Rooms that are farthest from the heating system will be cooler while those nearest to it will be warmer. The cause is a malfunctioning thermostat, which prohibits the heat pump from working for longer periods to circulate warm air evenly throughout your home. By ensuring that indoor air is evenly distributed throughout your home, you are also making sure your system is able to do its job.
- Defective Components
A typical home thermostat has four wires — two for the blower and two for the heater. If these wires become loose or broken over time, the thermostat will no longer be able to control these vital components of your heating system.
You might also experience a faulty blower fan when the thermostat in your heating system fails, which either runs continuously or does not start at all. This issue occurs when the connection between the thermostat and the HVAC system fails due to broken wiring. If your system won’t shut down or doesn’t respond to changes in your thermostat settings, it could be a sign of a wiring problem. To avoid system damage, schedule an appointment with your local heating repair business as soon as possible.
- HVAC System Failure
There can be software glitches with smart Wi-Fi thermostats. The manufacturer may be aware of these problems and provide troubleshooting tips in their user manual or on their website. If these steps fail to solve the problem after you have tried a system reboot, you may need to seek professional assistance.
Is It Time to Upgrade My Thermostat?
If you’re interested in upgrading your residential or commercial HVAC system, a thermostat replacement may be one of the least expensive things you can do that will help you save on your energy bills. Even if your thermostat is off by a few degrees, it can have a major impact on your cooling or heating costs.
This is especially important for people who still use a hard-wired, manual thermostat. Digital, programmable thermostat systems have several important advantages that are worth considering. For starters, they are easier to access and manage than their older counterparts. They are often more accurate too. Finally, a programmable thermostat allows you to establish a heating and cooling schedule that is tailored to your requirements.
Our technicians can determine what kind of malfunction is affecting your comfort at home. For HVAC and VRF systems repair and replacement, EZ Air Conditioning and Heating provides timely and cost-effective services. Call us at (210) 429-9186, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
