When Thermostats Attack: Troubleshooting Your Furnace
Posted on: 27 April 2015
Your thermostat is more than just a box on the wall, it's the entire control center for your furnace. When it fails, your entire heating system may stop working properly. This can leave you chilly on cold nights. Fortunately, thermostat issues are typically quick and inexpensive repairs. If any of the following is the problem, chances are it's your thermostat.
Failure to Cycle
You know it's colder in the house than the current thermostat setting, but yet there is still no heat. The most uncomfortable problem with a thermostat is when it fails to turn on your furnace at all. Start by bumping the thermostat down to see if it triggers the furnace to come on. Often, you can set the thermostat lower than the desired temperature to get the heat running, at least until an HVAC repairman can see to the issue.
If this doesn't work, check that there are no flipped fuses in your fuse box that could be affecting the thermostat. Otherwise, the problem is likely in the thermostat or furnace itself, and you will have to wait for a repair.
Uneven Heating
Does your thermostat can show a cozy 72 F while the room feels more like a frigid 65 F? Once again, your thermostat is likely the culprit. Once again, turning it down may provide more temporary warmth, but you will need to diagnose and fix the problem.
Make sure no dust has settled inside, because this can result in inaccurate temperature readings. Also, make sure the thermostat isn't placed on the wall in an area that receives bright, warm sunlight. If neither of these is the problem, then the thermostat may need professional repair or replacement by a company like Kendall Plumbing & Heating Company Inc.
The Never-Ending Cycle
It's like a summer heat wave inside, and the temperature is still climbing. The only way to shut off the heat is to turn it off manually, because the thermostat reading is never met. Make sure the thermostat is clean and that it really is set to the correct desired temperature. If the problem persists, you are dealing with a thermostat in need of repair or replacement.
After repairing the thermostat, it's also a good idea to have your furnace undergo routine maintenance. If the thermostat has been making it run longer or more often, it's likely time to replace the filters and make sure all the parts are working properly. You don't want another furnace issue to occur any time soon.
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