Reasons Your Thermostat May Not Be Working

Our HVAC system is something we may take for granted. When we click on the thermostat in our house, we automatically assume that the heat or AC is going to turn on. However, this isn’t always the case. There may be times when the thermostat just doesn’t work and the house remains cold or hot with no access to HVAC solutions. In order to fix any issues that occur, it’s important to learn about some of the top reasons why the thermostat may not be working. Here are some reasons why the thermostat may malfunction and how to fix it when this occurs.

How the Thermostat Works

The thermostat is the component that relays your heating and cooling wishes to the HVAC system. When you want your home to be cooler, you turn down the thermostat to a lower temperature and when you need a little heat in the house, you can push the buttons to get to that ideal temperature. Programmable thermostats make it even easier to control the heating and air conditioning in your home as you can designate your desired temperatures for different times of the day. However, there may come a time when your thermostat just isn’t working the way you want it to or at all.

Reasons the Thermostat May Not Work

There can be quite a few reasons why your thermostat is malfunctioning. Sometimes the nonworking thermostat is the result of a problem with the wire connections that go from the component to the HVAC system while other thermostat issues may be due to the thermostat device itself. Here are some reasons your thermostat may not be working:

Loose Connections

In order for your thermostat to work, it has to be connected to the right parts of the HVAC system. There are usually a few different connections, including the heat connection, fan connection, and cooling connection. If one or more of these items isn’t fully connected, this can disrupt the service of your thermostat. Turn off the power at the breaker switch and check the connections to make sure all are properly attached.

Bad Power Source

Sometimes it’s a bad power source that causes your thermostat to not work. You can often tell when there’s a bad power source if your thermostat screen is dark and you can’t see the temperature reading on it. If this is your current situation, there are a few ways to troubleshoot this issue to see if the cause is a bad power source. You should first check that the power switch is on. Once you do so, the next step is to put in a new battery. If your thermostat still isn’t working, there may be a tripped breaker, so you should check the breaker box to see if this switch is tripped. If none of these steps work, it may be a bad power source causing the issue.

Poorly Positioned Thermostat

A poorly positioned thermostat can also be the cause of a malfunctioning device. A thermostat that isn’t level and has a mercury bulb may cause it to malfunction. If this is the case, you can fix it by first turning off the power to the thermostat and repositioning the device. Your thermostat may also not work correctly if it’s in the wrong location in your house. The device should be mounted on the wall in a location that’s not near registers, doors, or windows, as these areas could cause the thermostat to misread the temperature in the room. It’s best if your thermostat is installed in the center of the room away from any doors, windows, or registers so it gets an accurate reading at all times.

Improper Programming

You may also find that your thermostat doesn’t work correctly due to improper programming. Programmable thermostats take a little time to get used to, so you should manually set your programmable thermostat for a while until you learn how to use it properly. The instruction manual will provide excellent guidelines for programming your thermostat in the right way.

Furnace Switch Problem

An issue with the furnace switch can also cause your thermostat to not work. Make sure the furnace switch is on. If the furnace switch is on but the thermostat still isn’t working correctly, there may be a more serious issue with the furnace that an HVAC professional can diagnose and fix.

Thermostat Dirt and Debris

A malfunctioning thermostat may be due to something as simple as dirt and debris collecting on the device. If your thermostat looks dirty and dusty, turn off the power to the thermostat, remove the cover, and gently dust the thermostat housing to remove this debris.

NuBlue Offers HVAC Repairs and Replacement Services

If your thermostat isn’t working correctly and you’ve tried to troubleshoot the issue by using the options above but nothing has worked, it’s time to call the HVAC professionals for help. NuBlue of North Carolina offers extensive HVAC services so you can get your thermostat fixed and back in working order quickly. Our team offers HVAC assistance in the Lake Norman, Charlotte, Fayetteville, and Greenville areas and will provide you with a quick response and solution to your HVAC issues.

Contact NuBlue today for thermostat repairs and many other HVAC services!