Why Is My Thermostat Not Working?

Have you ever noticed that your thermostat isn’t working properly? Whether it’s the display not showing up or your home not heating or cooling as expected, this can be a frustrating experience.

Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can follow to troubleshoot and fix the issue.

How to Tell If Your Thermostat Is Broken

If you notice any of these signs of a broken thermostat, it could be time for a repair or replacement:

  • Your home feels too hot or too cold, even when the temperature setting stays the same.

  • The air conditioner or heater constantly runs without stopping.

  • The temperature reading on the display fluctuates drastically.

  • Your energy bills are unusually high.

 

Thermostat Troubleshooting Tips

You can check a handful of things to see if you can fix your thermostat before calling in additional help. Here are the three main issues that may apply when your thermostat is acting up.

Check the Power Source

The first step in troubleshooting any malfunctioning appliance is to check that it has power. Normally, if your thermostat display is not working, it’s due to a lack of power.

A thermostat relies on one of two possible sources of power: batteries or hardwired electricity. If batteries power your thermostat, make sure they are still working and replace them if necessary. If your thermostat is hardwired into the wall, make sure the circuit breaker hasn't tripped.

Check Connections

If your thermostat power source seems to be in order, check the connections between the thermostat and heater or air conditioner. Make sure all wires are connected properly and securely and that none appear damaged or exposed in any way. (If the wires are exposed, contact a professional electrician.)

A broken thermostat may malfunction due to mismatched settings. Check that the settings on your HVAC unit match those set on your thermostat—if they don't match up perfectly, it can disrupt the system’s functioning.

Check Thermostat Settings

Sometimes problems with thermostats can be caused by applying incorrect settings. It's always worth double-checking your thermostat settings just in case something has been accidentally changed or reset since the last time you used it.

Make sure that all programmed temperature settings match what you need for your home climate control system. Double-check other thermostat settings, such as fan speed or energy-saving mode. Look out for any error messages displayed on the screen, too. These often indicate an issue with one of these settings.

Replace an Old Thermostat

If none of these steps solve your issue, you may need to replace your thermostat altogether. The average programmable digital thermostat lifespan is about ten years, so if yours is older than that, then it may be time for an upgrade, regardless of any issues you're having with its performance.

There are plenty of high-quality digital models available on the market today—many of which are compatible with smart home systems such as Google Home and Alexa—so finding one that fits your needs should not be difficult.

Setting Up Your Home for Success

Thermostats are an essential part of every home's climate control system, so when they aren't working correctly, it can cause a lot of distress! If you're unsure why your thermostat isn’t working or what kind of replacement model would best suit your needs, please consult an expert at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Corpus Christi. Our team will be happy to offer advice to help you select the right thermostat for your needs. We also install smart thermostats and even offer same-day thermostat repair or installation services.

Book online or call us at (361) 245-3945 with any questions about your heating and cooling system.