How to Know if Thermostat Is Bad: What You Should Know

Sometimes, we believe thermostats are indestructible, but they’re not. If you’ve been operating your thermostat for many years, it might begin to go bad.

Thermostats can usually last for ten years or more before it requires replacement. If you’re wondering if your thermostat is simply malfunctioning or has gone bad, you’re in luck. This article will explain how to know if the thermostat is bad.

We’ll explore signs that your thermostat is bad and also provide tips on how to troubleshoot your thermostat.

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Tips to Know if Your Thermostat Is Bad

According to NY Times, almost 90% of American households have HVAC. Therefore, it’s one of the most popular equipment because of how comfortable it makes you. Below are some signs that inform you that your thermostat is bad.

Your Thermostat Has No Power

One of the most obvious signs that your thermostat is bad is if there’s no power in the thermostat. Sometimes, the thermostat is simply unresponsive even though you turn the thermostat on. If there’s no change in the home’s temperature when you adjust the temperature, the problem might be that your thermostat is bad. Alternatively, the problem could be batteries, so you might have to check beforehand.

The Heater Won’t Turn On

If you also hear a clicking sound from the heater when you turn on the thermostat, it could be a broken relay, a control board issue, or a wiring defect. Such problems could prevent electrical signals from the thermostat to the heating system. If the thermostat cannot send commands to the HVAC system, then the thermostat is bad.

Faulty Thermostat Readings

A correct thermostat reading ensures that your indoor space doesn’t get too hot or cold. When your thermostat begins to register an incorrect temperature, you might have to start thinking of a replacement. One way to verify if the thermostat reading is correct and in line with the temperature is by testing the reading with a portable thermometer. If the readings are wrong, then the thermostat sensor is malfunctioning. This could be an issue of old age, manufacturing defect, or misuse.

High Energy Bills

If you’re wondering how to know if thermostat is bad, you might have to look at your energy consumption. Although using a thermostat can rack up energy bills, it could also signal the thermostat going bad. So if you suddenly have to pay a higher energy bill than usual, the thermostat might be the culprit.

A faulty thermostat will cause the HVAC to overwork. This is because the more times the unit cycles each hour, the more power it consumes. You might need to consult a technician to check the HVAC system and confirm if you need a new thermostat to fix the issue.

Your Heater is Constantly Running

The thermostat might be why your heater is constantly running and won’t shut off even when you feel like it’s the right temperature in your home. If the thermostat has frayed wiring or miscalibrated settings, it could also affect the heater.

If the thermostat is not registering that your home is at the right temperature, it could send signals to the heater and cause it to keep running. If you don’t think the thermostat is reading the right temperature, a thermometer could be handy to check the readings.

The Thermostat is Too Old

As with other gadgets, the thermostat might be too old and outdated. The lifespan of most home thermostats is ten years, after which it begins to malfunction. If this is the situation, then there’s a need to replace it soon because a more efficient thermostat might be what you need.

You might need to replace a non-programmable thermostat with a programmable option. This works much better than others because of the advanced technology used in its build-up. However, if your thermostat starts to act up and the thermostat is a decade old, it might be time to start shopping for a new one.

Thermostat Doesn’t Respond to Changed Settings

When you adjust the temperature settings, your thermostat should always respond to these changes immediately. Typically, you’ll hear a clicking sound when you make the changes, and the HVAC system will get to work. However, if this doesn’t happen, your thermostat might have an issue, and you need to replace it immediately.

How to Troubleshoot a Bad Thermostat

Now that you know how to know if the thermostat is bad, you might wonder how to fix the issues. While you can fix some of the problems yourself, you might require a technician’s help other times. Below are five steps to troubleshoot a bad thermostat.

Make Sure the Thermostat Is on the Right Settings

This is the most obvious step to take if you notice issues with your thermostat. However, most homeowners miss this issue, especially regarding a non-programmable thermostat. The thermostat’s setting should display heat on winter days and cool during the summer months. If the heater or AC is constantly on, it could be because the thermostat is set to ‘on.’

This mode causes the system to continually blow air through the vent even if it’s not heating or cooling the air. Check the settings and set them to ‘auto’ so the system can only run when it’s cooling or heating the room.

Lower or Increase the Thermostat’s Settings by 5 Degrees

Now that you know how to know if the thermostat is bad, you can also take steps like increasing or decreasing the temperature by 5 degrees. Increase by 5 degrees in the winter and lower by 5 degrees in the summertime.

When you adjust the thermostat, you’ll hear a clicking sound, and the HVAC system will kick in immediately. This could help you fix the temperature if it is too high or too low.

Replace the Thermostat Battery

The reason your thermostat might not be coming on might be because of bad batteries. Therefore, you might need to replace the batteries using a digital thermostat. If this fixes the issue, set a reminder to replace the thermostat’s batteries yearly.

Clean Your Thermostat

Sometimes, the issue might just be that your thermostat requires cleaning. For example, non-digital thermostats come with a little lever that tends to malfunction when it collects dust. To clean your thermostat, start by removing its cover and dusting it with a small brush or microfiber cloth. This would help to take the top layer of dust off and could help prevent the thermostat from malfunctioning further.

Recommended Thermostat:

Final Thoughts

As summer or winter approaches, you want to ensure that your thermostat is in excellent shape. If this isn’t the case, your thermostat could be bad. This article explains how to know if the thermostat is bad and simple steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue. Other times, you just have to get a new thermostat as your present thermostat is simply too old.