How Do You Know If Your Thermostat or Furnace is Broken?

A well-functioning HVAC system is vital for home comfort. However, when your air conditioner or furnace fails to function correctly, the culprit could be the thermostat. These devices regulate the temperature and control the heating and cooling systems. If they fail, it will appear that your HVAC system is malfunctioning.

Signs of Your Broken Thermostat

• Your HVAC System is Turning On

Your HVAC system’s failure to turn on is one of the most prevalent signs of a broken thermostat. If your HVAC system isn’t turning on or responding to thermostat settings, it could be due to a faulty thermostat.

The thermostat allows you to turn on the HVAC system, set the needed temperatures in the house, and switch between cooling and heating options. If you change any setting on the thermostat and nothing occurs to your HVAC, you most likely have a faulty thermostat in your home.

• Your HVAC System Won’t Turn Off

If your heating or cooling system continues to run after reaching the desired temperature, there is most likely an issue with the wiring between your thermostat and your HVAC system. It could also be a thermostat miscalibration, in which the thermostat sends the wrong signals to the air conditioner or furnace.

• Temperature Fluctuation Throughout The Home:

The thermostat keeps your home at the same temperature. When it develops a defect, you will observe that the temperature in each room fluctuates.

• The Thermostat Has No Power

Every thermostat has a display screen that indicates the temperature setting. The screen may be blank because of the power cut or because its batteries are too low or expired. Before presuming that the thermostat has failed, ensure that the power supply to the thermostat has not been mistakenly turned off. Change the batteries as well. If the new batteries do not start your system, it is time to replace the thermostat.

• Short Cycling

When your thermostat sets your HVAC system, it should run for a whole cycle before shutting off. When your thermostat begins to fail, the system may shut down before completing the heating or cooling cycle. That is known as short cycling and may indicate that your thermostat needs replacement.

If you happen to live in the area, contact our HVAC contractor in Fairfax to confirm if your thermostat is the source of your short cycling problem.

The room temperature and the temperature set on the thermostat do not match.

A room that seems hotter or colder than the thermostat setting is another sign it is broken. While a zoned home may have distinct temperature settings in each area, a zone-free home should have the same temperature in each room.

Check whether you’re using the optimal temperature settings if certain rooms in your house are warmer or cooler than others. If the thermostat is correctly set and the room temperature does not match, the thermostat is most likely to blame.

Seek the advice of a reputable HVAC company in Alexandria, and contact AVS Heating & Air Conditioning for professional assistance. We can assist you in selecting and installing the appropriate thermostat for your home and HVAC system.