With changes in the weather on the horizon, it’s time to take a look at your home’s thermostat. Although your thermostat might appear to be in good shape, there are plenty of signs that could indicate the need for a thermostat replacement as soon as possible.

Wild Temperature Swings

Over time, it’s possible for your thermostat to forget how to correctly sense the room’s temperature. The strange behavior often results in temperature swings that make your home feel too cold one minute, and then too hot the next. Here’s a quick way to check your thermostat’s operation:

• Cut power to the furnace at the circuit breaker and then set the thermostat’s fan setting to “On” or “Run.”
• Remove the thermostat from the wall to expose the backing plate and wiring.
• Locate the red or “R” wire from its corresponding terminal and connect it to the white or “W” wire.
• Replace the thermostat and switch the power back on.

If the thermostat comes on, then the thermostat is bad and you’ll need a replacement. Don’t forget to put the wires back in their respective places.

Unresponsive Controls

If the thermostat isn’t responding to your input, then you should perform the following troubleshooting steps:

• Check the digital display. If the display is blank or displays a “low battery” warning, you should remove the thermostat from the wall and replace the battery.
• Make sure the thermostat is set according to your home’s climate control needs. If you need to heat your home, for instance, make sure the thermostat is set to “heat” mode.
• Set the thermostat five degrees above or below the current room temperature and listen for the relays in the thermostat and HVAC system to click and turn the unit on. If you don’t hear a click, then you may need to replace your thermostat.

If your Peachtree City home needs a thermostat replacement, don’t hesitate to call the professionals at Powers Heating & Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.

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