Thermostat Troubleshooting Tips
On most days, the only part of your HVAC system that you touch or see is your thermostat. Since this component is crucial to controlling your Sugar Land HVAC system, it is vital that it is working properly at all times. Therefore, when your thermostat stops working, it can be a negative experience that can leave you frustrated and uncomfortable.
That’s why it’s a good idea to be able to troubleshoot your thermostat on your own so that you can quickly correct any problems before they go on for too long. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, we at Custom Comfort Air in Sugar Land, TX, offer these thermostat troubleshooting tips.
1. Check the Battery
Did you know that your thermostat likely has a battery? Most thermostats installed by Custom Comfort Air have a battery to power the digital display that you interface with. In smart thermostats, this battery is typically recharged by the HVAC wires that are attached to the thermostat. However, if you have a regular programmable thermostat, then it simply uses an alkaline battery that must be replaced from time to time.
If the battery dies, you won’t be able to change temperature settings or program on and off times. Additionally, the thermostat won’t send on/off signals to the HVAC system, meaning your home could quickly become uncomfortable. Replacing the battery in most thermostats is as simple as popping out the battery compartment and replacing the dead battery with a new one.
2. Check the Settings
Your thermostat has many different settings to help keep your home comfortable during all types of weather conditions. One setting is known as the “fan” setting. If this setting is enabled, your blower fan will constantly run, moving air throughout your home.
However, neither the furnace nor air conditioner installed by Custom Comfort Air will turn on. This means that the temperature of the indoor air won’t change, even though the air is moving. Therefore, what seems to be a problem with your thermostat or HVAC system may simply be a setting that needs to be changed. If you’re experiencing trouble with your thermostat, this is one of the first things you should check.
3. Check the Connections
To turn your HVAC system on and off, a thermostat from Custom Comfort Air requires a wired connection directly from the thermostat to the circuits that control the flow of power to the furnace and air conditioner. In some cases, these wired connections can come loose from either the thermostat or the HVAC system.
When this happens, your HVAC system will stay off, since it will never receive an electrical signal from your thermostat that it’s time to run. If you suspect this might be the problem, you can carefully remove your thermostat from the wall to check the connections on the back. If you’re not sure how to do this, make sure to consult your owner’s manual or give Custom Comfort Air a call.
4. Check the Breakers
If your HVAC system malfunctions, it can cause the associated circuit breakers to trip. With a tripped circuit breaker, all power to your HVAC system will be interrupted. This means that the power your thermostat needs will be interrupted as well. Interrupted power will be especially noticeable if you have a smart thermostat, as these types of thermostats use power from your HVAC system to run the interactive screen and Wi-Fi connection.
Typically, a tripped circuit breaker is not caused by the thermostat itself. Instead, a tripped breaker can be caused by a faulty blower fan, a malfunctioning compressor, or a problem with another high-draw component. If you can’t find another problem with your thermostat and you discover a tripped breaker, it’s a good idea to let someone from Custom Comfort Air take a look at your system, as this typically requires extensive diagnostic work to isolate the problem.
5. Check the Thermistor
Another problem you may encounter with a thermostat is that it can stop sensing the temperature correctly. In most digital thermostats, a small resistor called a thermistor is responsible for sensing temperature changes as it makes changes in its electrical resistance.
Over time, the metal in the thermistor can become worn out, meaning your thermostat won’t be as accurate, resulting in an uncomfortable home. Similar to a fuse, a thermistor typically can’t be repaired once it begins to malfunction. Instead, you will either need to replace the thermistor or replace the entire thermostat.
The age of your thermostat and its make and model will determine whether it can be fixed by Custom Comfort Air or if you will need us to install a new model. The good news about replacing your thermostat is that you can install a model that allows you to more accurately control the temperature in your home, which can help you save on your utility costs.
6. Check for Proper Operation
If you have recently installed a new thermostat, it may not be working simply because it is incompatible with your HVAC system. This is a common problem with smart thermostats, as they require a certain wiring arrangement to be able to provide enough power to support all of the thermostat’s features.
Of course, if you use some type of alternate HVAC system such as a geothermal heat pump, you will need to make sure your thermostat supports this type of system to ensure you maximize your potential energy savings. If you aren’t sure about a certain type of thermostat, it’s good to consult with Custom Comfort Air before you begin the installation. This is because some thermostats can damage your HVAC system if they aren’t designed to be used with your particular system.
7. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection
If you have a smart thermostat, it is important that a Wi-Fi connection is maintained with your router at all times. This connection allows you to control your thermostat from anywhere in the world. However, if this connection is interrupted and you make changes from your phone, it could appear that there is a problem with your thermostat if the changes aren’t relayed to your thermostat. You can check your Wi-Fi connection status on your thermostat by using the settings menu.
Skilled, Trusted, and Capable Climate Comfort Team
As you can see, properly troubleshooting a thermostat requires a precise and detail-oriented approach. The same is true for all types of HVAC maintenance and repairs. If you don’t pay attention to the details, you could create problems that are bigger than the one you’re trying to solve. That’s why we at Custom Comfort Air in Sugar Land apply a detail-oriented approach to everything we do.
Whether you’re in need of service for your air conditioner or furnace or you need to have a new system installed, we can take care of it all. We can also help you troubleshoot your furnace or install a new one if you want to take advantage of the enhanced features of a new thermostat. Additionally, we can install heat pumps that take advantage of the outside air to help lower your heating and cooling costs.
You can be sure that we will stand behind the services we perform. Our Better Business Bureau Award for Excellence attests to that. We are also accredited by Angie’s List and enjoy a host of five-star ratings from our extraordinary customers. If you need assistance with your thermostat, be sure to give us a call at Custom Comfort Air in Sugar Land today. We proudly offer heating and cooling services including installation or replacement, repair, and maintenance for any cooling or heating system, as well as offering indoor air quality assessments and solutions. Call today to learn all the ways we can help with your home comfort needs.