How to Tell if the Thermostat is Broken

Reasons to Replace a Broken Thermostat 

If someone knows nothing else about air conditioning, they surely know about the thermostat. When temperatures soar during the summer, knowing what an evaporator coil is doesn’t seem as important as knowing how to get some relief from the heat. Thermostats are the control center for the home in terms of comfort and can be very reliable until they aren’t. 

Thermostats can last for years and lull homeowners into a false sense of security. Recognizing problems with the thermostat can be tricky until the signs are understood. Here is a quick introduction to common signs that indicate issues with the thermostat. 

Higher Energy Bills Than Usual 

A common sign of thermostat issues is unusually high energy costs. When thermostats aren’t reading the temperature correctly, it can cause the system to work harder to try and keep the home comfortable. This means that the air conditioner may run for longer cycles or start and stop more often. Since the air conditioner is such a big user of electricity in the home, all of this extra work caused by a failing thermostat can add up and cause the energy bill to rise. 

Replacing the thermostat will lower energy bills and prevent wasting more money. In addition to the money savings by replacing the failing thermostat, homeowners can save even more money with smart thermostats used to reduce energy usage. 

Incorrect Temperature Measurements 

The thermostat's main job is to measure the temperature inside a home and make decisions for the system based on temperature. Incorrect temperature measurements by a faulty thermostat throw the whole system off because the air conditioner no longer knows when to correctly stop or start. This leads to huge issues with comfort because the home can quickly become too hot or cold and the humidity levels uncomfortable. 

In addition to living in an uncomfortable home, having a thermostat reading incorrect temperatures make it hard to know what a comfortable temperature is. Most people gauge their comfort level by what the thermostat setting is. An incorrect setpoint can lead to a miscalibration of comfort levels. To check if the temperature reading on the thermostat is correct, homeowners can put a thermometer near it to see if they show the same reading.

Short Cycling of Air Conditioner 

Apart from savings and comfort, the thermostat also protects cooling equipment by making it run in a way that is healthy for it in the long term. Air conditioners are designed to run for longer periods to reduce humidity and stress on the air conditioner. Cooling cycles that are too long needlessly waste money, but short cycles put higher mileage on the machinery from excessive starting and stopping, making it more likely to fail and not last for its expected longevity. 

When short cycles are noticed, this is a sign there is something wrong with the thermostat. Replacing the thermostat prevents short cycling and the wear and tear it causes to protect AC equipment over the decades that it is expected to last. 

About Swick Home Services

Swick Home Services has over 40 years of experience serving Marquette, MI, and the surrounding areas. They offer a price match guarantee, a beneficial service plan, and 24/7 support. Call them today for heating and cooling services in Marquette, MI.

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