Few things can derail a healthy HVAC system faster than faulty temperature controls. Time is of the essence when thermostat troubles threaten your home’s comfort and efficiency, so here’s what you need to know.
Quick Answer: What Are the Signs You Need a New Thermostat?
If something’s gone awry with your heating and cooling system, keep your eyes peeled for clues that may point to an aging or worn-out thermostat. More specifically:
- Blank or unresponsive thermostat screen
- HVAC system not turning on or off
- Reading the wrong temperature
- Persistent hot or cold spots
- Rapid, repeated short cycling
- Unusually high heating or cooling bills
- Thermostat is over 10 years old
How Thermostats Affect HVAC Performance
Your thermostat might just look like a remote control for your HVAC system, but it does far more than that. It’s responsible for precisely monitoring indoor temperatures and determining exactly when and how long your system should run.
When operating correctly, it ensures you receive just enough heating and cooling to stay comfortable without wasting energy or overstressing your expensive equipment.
Conversely, a dysfunctional thermostat often has the opposite effect, making your system less responsive, less efficient and less effective at delivering comfort. The results? Higher energy bills, more frequent service calls and a lower quality of life for you and your family.
7 Clear Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Thermostat
The consequences of relying on defective HVAC controls can be costly, so why take chances? As long as you know what to look for, identifying and replacing a bad thermostat is simpler and more affordable than you might think.
1. The Display Is Nonfunctional
Swapping out the batteries is often a quick fix for a thermostat screen that’s blank, flickering or otherwise unresponsive. If the problem persists even with fresh batteries, it’s time to schedule a service call.
2. Your System Won’t Start or Stop
When you adjust the thermostat, it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes for your AC, heat pump or furnace to start running. Likewise, unless the fan is set to “On,” your system should automatically power down shortly after reaching your chosen setpoint. Refusing to turn on or off as expected is an unmistakable sign your thermostat needs attention right away.
3. The Temperature Reading Is Inaccurate
If what you’re feeling in your home doesn’t match the temperature you’ve set, don’t take your thermostat’s word for it. Station a thermometer nearby and compare the readings after about 15 minutes. A difference of more than one or two degrees means your thermostat is either faulty, poorly calibrated or installed in a bad location.
4. Your Home Has Hot or Cold Spots
Evenly heating and cooling your home is always tricky, but it’s that much tougher with an HVAC system that struggles to communicate and track temperatures. A variety of thermostat issues can cause stubborn hot or cold spots to develop, including shoddy wiring, malfunctioning sensors and improper placement.
5. The HVAC System Is Short Cycling
An average HVAC system cycles two to three times per hour, starting and running for short periods before shutting off when the desired temperature is achieved. A broken thermostat can throw this process into chaos, causing your system to continually start up and shut down prematurely before completing a full cycle.
Left unaddressed, this can rapidly wear out equipment and ultimately inflict serious, lasting damage.
6. Energy Usage Is Through the Roof
High utility bills are to be expected on occasion, but they shouldn’t appear for no reason. If your home has suddenly started consuming far more energy than usual for the season, it may be a failing, inaccurate thermostat forcing your system to work overtime.
7. Your Thermostat’s Due for Retirement
All other red flags aside, there’s no arguing with Father Time. After a decade or so, even the best thermostats are often sufficiently obsolete, inaccurate and worn out to warrant replacement. Keep track of your thermostat’s age and don’t wait for major issues to develop before considering an upgrade.
Benefits of Replacing an Old Thermostat
Ditching a dysfunctional thermostat can immediately solve all sorts of HVAC issues, but that’s hardly the only reason to upgrade. If your existing model is more than a few years old, you’re likely missing out on some truly game-changing features and technologies.
The latest smart thermostats boast intelligent temperature schedules, remote smartphone access, geofencing, maintenance alerts and more, giving you:
- More accurate, even and consistent temperatures
- Higher efficiency and ongoing energy savings
- Enhanced reliability and system longevity
- Greater insight and control over energy usage
- Unparalleled convenience and simplicity
To ensure a smooth upgrade, be sure to select a thermostat that’s compatible with your type of system. This is especially important for ductless mini-splits and advanced multi-stage or variable-speed units. When in doubt, ask your local professionals!
FAQs About Thermostat Replacement
How often should I replace my thermostat?
As a rule of thumb, a well-made and well-maintained thermostat will generally last at least 10 years. That said, thermostat technology is always evolving and improving, so it may be worth upgrading early if you want the best performance, reliability and features.
Can a bad thermostat damage my HVAC system?
Unfortunately, yes. Faulty controls may add to your system’s workload, increasing wear and tear and raising the risk of serious damage. Thermostat-related short cycling is especially stressful on internal components and can significantly reduce the lifespan of your gear.
Is it better to repair or replace a thermostat?
It’s perfectly sensible to invest in minor thermostat repairs, such as recalibrating sensors, troubleshooting software glitches or fixing bad wiring. If your thermostat is outdated or suffering serious or recurring problems, however, replacement is likely the smarter move.
What type of thermostat saves the most energy?
Any modern unit can boost efficiency if used correctly, but smart thermostats offer the tools to take your savings to the next level. You can automatically adjust temperature settings based on your schedule, control your system remotely, track and analyze energy usage and more.
Don’t Ignore the Signs: Upgrade Your Thermostat Today
Has your HVAC system had a mind of its own lately, seemingly turning on and off — or not — on a whim? Does it feel like changing the temperature has no real effect on your comfort? Are your monthly energy bills getting out of control for no apparent reason?
The culprit could be a failing or outdated thermostat, and the longer you wait to replace it, the worse the problem is likely to become. Luckily, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating is on the case. As the Florida Panhandle’s fastest and most trusted HVAC specialists, we’re always on time or you don’t pay a dime.
We’re thrilled to serve homeowners throughout Pensacola, FL and surrounding areas. Contact us today for expert thermostat installation, inspection and repair services at highly competitive prices!