A thermostat regulates your heating or cooling systems. When it is functioning properly, the thermostat plays a central role in circulating the warm or cold air throughout your building. Click a few buttons, and you can adjust the settings to control the exact temperature of your house.

However, there are times when your thermostat device does not function properly. No matter which thermostat model you use, glitches do happen from time to time. Occasionally, you may need to call an HVAC professional for help. In most cases, you may be able to troubleshoot why your thermostat is not working.

The most common issues with a thermostat can be easily corrected if you know what to check for. Below are seven reasons why your thermostat is not working:

1. The thermostat is not working because of its age.

Age is one of the most common problems associated with a faulty thermostat. Over time, the thermostat may become less effective through natural wear and tear. Remember, thermostats are not meant to last forever. Besides, an outdated model may cost you money in wasted energy and time tinkering with it.

If the thermostat is not working properly, it should be time to replace your older model with a newer one. For those still using a mechanical thermostat, which is the most basic type of thermostats, replace it with a programmable thermostat that is easy to use and simple to connect to your existing system.

2. The thermostat is not working because it has wonky wiring or parts.

Loose connection, disconnection, and faulty wiring can cause your thermostat to malfunction. Inspect the wiring in your thermostat and fasten any noticeably loose wires. Consider replacing the worn-out cables or consult a knowledgeable HVAC professional to solve your wiring problems.

Inside the mechanical thermostats, there is an electrical resistor device that informs the thermostat when to turn off the system. If not functioning correctly, it may cause your furnace to cycle on and off more frequently than necessary. The electrical resistor devices can be adjusted, ideally using an amp to determine the proper settings. For programmable thermostats, these devices come equipped with a built-in anticipator that sets itself automatically.

3. The thermostat is not working because of programming defects.

If the thermostat system is not working, there could be a system glitch in its programming. This often occurs during an abrupt power failure, which could interfere with the regular functions of the programming chips inside the thermostats. To correct this problem, you will need to reprogram the chip. There are also programmable thermostats with stronger memory systems that stay intact even after a power failure.

4. The thermostat is not working because it ran out of batteries.

During power outages, the batteries help to retain the thermostat settings. These batteries should last at least one year, although many homeowners fail to replace them until it’s too late. If the batteries are near depletion, it will disrupt the thermostat’s ability to manage the heating and cooling processes.

Most programmable thermostats display a warning symbol when the batteries start to run low. When the display goes blank, it means the batteries are completely depleted. At this point, the thermostat can no longer control the HVAC system, leading to extreme temperature levels. To replace them, you will need AA or AAA alkaline or lithium batteries, depending on the thermostat model.

5. The thermostat is not working because of its location in the building.

A suboptimal location may be the reason why your thermostat is not working. In general, you should avoid installing the thermostat at places where there is direct sunlight or near exterior doorways, since this will compromise its function. In addition, you should mount the thermostat on a wall with a high thermal coefficient.

If you believe your thermostat isn’t suitably located, move it to a better spot. For optimal comfort, place your thermostat in a central location that allows the evenest temperature distribution.

6. The thermostat is not working due to a problem with the circuit breaker.

The circuit breaker is a switch that protects your home from electrical surges. If a circuit breaker trips repeatedly, this will cause your thermostat to stop working. The key is to reduce the electrical load on the circuit by moving appliances. Get an electrician to perform an extensive upgrade, which may include adding more circuits to your system.

Some circuit breakers trip for no other reason than simple wear and tear. Call a professional immediately if you start experiencing regular circuit outages, detect a burning odour, or notice signs of deterioration around the circuit breaker. Ignoring electrical problems can result in fire and other hazards in your home. Keep the circuit breaker off until the problem is investigated and addressed.

7. The thermostat is not working due to the dirt and debris.

Over time, dust accumulates inside your thermostat. A buildup of debris and dirt could cause an inaccurate temperature reading, which may escalate to a sudden system failure. To clean the thermostat, you need to remove the cover and gently clean its interior components, including the bimetallic switch and the coil contact areas.

First, make sure the thermostat is adjusted to its lowest settings. Then, use a soft brush to clean the bimetallic coil. Next, set the thermostat to its highest level and clean the coil again. Once this is done, readjust the thermostat to your desired settings.

Before the winter season arrives, performing a basic furnace maintenance check-up will put your mind at ease. You want to make sure the furnace is safe, efficient, and well-maintained enough to keep your home warm in the colder months. If any problems are detected, you still have time to repair the furnace before the temperature starts to drop.

Ideally, you should call an HVAC technician for a comprehensive furnace inspection. However, there are several basic furnace maintenance tasks that you should be able to perform on your own. These tasks are simple and straightforward enough for any handy homeowners with basic knowledge. Of course, if you don’t feel comfortable doing these tasks, don’t hesitate to bring in a professional for their expertise instead.

The following are six basic furnace maintenance tasks that you can perform for this upcoming winter:

Task #1: Inspect the burner flames.

You should take a moment to inspect your furnace at least once a year, or preferably at the beginning and the end of the heating season. Your first basic furnace maintenance task is to inspect the burner flames. Start by turning off the power of your furnace. Then, remove the combustion chamber door. If your furnace has a burner cover, you will need a screwdriver to remove it as well.

Now that you can see the inside of the burner, turn on the power and turn up your thermostat. Put yourself at a reasonably safe distance, and then take a close look at the flames of the burner. Be careful not to breathe on them. The flames should be blue and even. If they are yellow, it could be because the burners are dirty. You will need to turn off the power and clean them thoroughly.

Task #2: Clean inside the furnace.

Most of the basic furnace maintenance tasks involve a lot of cleaning. Dust and debris may have gathered inside the furnace, so you need to unclog any parts to ensure the system is in working order.

Start by turning off the power and shutting off the gas valve. Then, use your vacuum cleaner to clear all the dust you see on the burners and at the base of the furnace. If you notice some black powder inside the cavities, it might be a sign that something is wrong with your furnace.

Your furnace may have a squirrel-cage blower, which is notorious for getting clogged with dirt and dust. You should remove the screws and bolts, lift out the blower, and clean it thoroughly. Using a small brush, gently clean each blade of the blower. You should then use your vacuum cleaner to remove the loose debris and residue dust.

Task #3: Clean or replace the furnace filter.

The filter of your furnace should be cleaned once at the beginning of the heating season. When it’s being used continuously, you should also keep cleaning it once a month. If the furnace filter is too dirty or seems damaged, you need to replace it with a new one.

Task #4: Inspect the different components of the furnace.

Your next item of business is to inspect the other furnace components more closely. This should be a quick inspection, just to make sure all the parts are in working condition before putting them in place. Be sure to check the belts, the wiring, and the switches. If you notice rust or damage on any of the individual parts, they will need to be replaced.

Another component that demands your attention is the motor. If the motor of your furnace is sealed, you don’t need to lubricate it. If your motor has oil ports, it should be lubricated once a year. You will most likely need to lubricate the blower shaft as well. Simply remove the caps, add a few drops of lightweight machine oil in the ports, and replace their caps.

Task #5: Inspect your ducts and ventilation systems.

Checking the ducts of your vent system is another inspection that you should perform. If the ducts are clogged with debris, they will have to be cleaned by a professional. Occasionally, you may detect leakages in the air ducts. In which case, you can use metal tape to seal them shut carefully. If you are unable to locate or repair the leak, ask a professional to fix it on your behalf.

Task #6: Call an HVAC professional for repairs.

While these basic furnace maintenance tasks can be performed on your own, you are still advised to seek professional help for the more demanding problems. If you notice anything wrong during your inspection, call an HVAC professional to repair the furnace as soon as possible.

Preventative maintenance is the key to a fully functional furnace with years of longevity. You should repair any small issues before they have a chance to become worse. Most importantly, this is the best way to make sure your furnace will perform properly during the winter season.

Have you ever considered the quality of the air that we inhale into our bodies? In the outdoors, it can be difficult to control the air quality with so much environmental pollution from cars, factories, and power plants across our cities. When we are safely indoors, it is much easier to manage the quality of the air. With the help of certain indoor air quality products, you can turn your residence into a little oasis that smells and feels rejuvenating.

The indoor air quality is so important because it can greatly affect your mood, your health, and the overall feel of your home. If you have noticed more headaches, dizzy spells, or other inexplicable health problems, this may be due to the poor air quality inside your living quarters. Without realizing it, you may have breathed in harmful airborne toxins that are detrimental to your well-being. In these instances, you should have the air in your residence tested carefully and inspected thoroughly.

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As the outdoor temperature begins to drop, this is a sure sign that the winter season will be fast approaching. Before it gets too cold outside, now would be a good time to make sure your furnace is in good working condition. Almost an entire year has passed since you last used the furnace. There is a chance that your furnace may require some minor repairs or even major replacements.

Even though some homeowners forgo the furnace inspection process, this is not recommended. Without these routine check-ups, you are putting your furnace at risk to potential malfunctioning in the future. Many furnace problems can be easily fixed during the inspection, but only if they are spotted early. By the time winter arrives, and your furnace suddenly breaks down during the coldest day of the year, you will regret not performing these repairs sooner.

A furnace won’t usually break down overnight. There are often cautionary signs that indicate a problem within the furnace, which necessitates a deeper furnace inspection. Before your unit comes to a halt, the following signs may alert you that something is wrong with your furnace:

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Uneven temperatures can make your home feel extremely cold in January and overly hot in July. In most cases, the culprit is a fault or an inefficiency in your HVAC system. Uneven temperatures can manifest in a freezing basement, insufficient airflows in upper rooms, or a kitchen that’s always too warm.

You deserve to be comfortable in your own home. However, these fluctuating temperatures could be inconvenient, frustrating, and may even lead to illnesses. To help you diagnose the problem, a HVAC professional can inspect your systems and perform the proper maintenance that will restore the temperature in your home.

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It’s no secret that HVAC systems consume a lot of energy. If you are looking for ways to reduce the amount of energy consumed, regular HVAC maintenance should be on your to-do list. The scheduled maintenance will ensure your systems are performing at optimal levels. It will also save you money on costly repairs by detecting smaller issues before they escalate.

Ideally, you should hire a professional to inspect your HVAC system once or twice a year. Heating systems should be inspected in the fall season, while cooling systems should be inspected when spring arrives. Regardless of the season, there are several crucial tasks that must be performed during the inspection. Here are six essential tasks in your HVAC maintenance checklist:

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A lot of people complain when the air feels too humid. However, having some humidity in your home could be good for you. Humidity keeps your skin moisturized and balances the temperatures in the house. On the other hand, excessive humidity presents its own set of problems and challenges. If there is too much humidity in your house, the air might feel very uncomfortable.

It can be hard to strike a good balance, especially if you live in a place that is known for having higher levels of humidity. Fortunately, there are products and services available for assessing and managing your indoor air quality. It is possible to rein in the high levels of moisture in your home, thereby making sure that your house remains cool and comfortable during the summer months.

The key is to find the ideal home humidity levels that work best for your living quarters. Here are the seven best ways for making sure humidity doesn’t take over your house:

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Every time you get home and turn on your air conditioner, your expectations are high. You expect to get sweet, fresh air to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. It can be quite the unpleasant experience when you are greeted by odious air conditioner smells instead. These smells then get transferred into the air, leaving your entire house smelling like a sewage.

Where are these smells coming from? There are several reasons why your air conditioner could be emitting those awful smells. An HVAC professional will be able to diagnose the air conditioner problems in greater detail. In most cases, one of the following reasons might explain why your air conditioner smells so badly:

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The sweltering heat of the summer months makes you rely on your air conditioning system more and more. However, even when your air conditioner is running well, it might not be pumping out cold air the way it should – or used to. If you feel like your air conditioner isn’t doing its job, the problem may be due to some inefficiencies in your AC system.

When a faulty air conditioner is not working efficiently, your energy consumption could skyrocket to unmanageable levels. Not only is this harmful for the environment, but the air conditioner inefficiency will have a negative impact on your energy utility bills as well. If your utility bills are higher than expected, the main culprit could be an inefficient air conditioner.

To maximize your air conditioner efficiency, make sure you understand the different AC components and how to keep them functioning optimally. A professional HVAC service can inspect your air conditioning system to ensure all the components are working optimally.

For additional help, below are five tips to improve your air conditioner efficiency in a smart way:

1. Clean the air conditioner.

As with any other household appliance, air conditioners get dirty. Grime, dirt, dust, and other gunk can and will build up in your AC, making it difficult for fresh air to get out and cool you down. To make sure this does not happen, you should be cleaning the air conditioner on a regular basis. This type of air conditioner maintenance should occur a few times during the season.

Before cleaning, make sure you turn off the electricity flowing to the air conditioner. This is to prevent electrocuting yourself or shorting a fuse. After cleaning, let the moisture dry and then turn the unit back on. You should be able to feel a noticeable difference in temperature afterwards.

2. Clean or replace the air conditioner’s filters.

A dirty air conditioning filter could slow down the airflow of the unit. When dirt and other debris build up in your air conditioner’s filter, the system will use more energy since it must work harder to supply you with the same quality of cold air.

The dirty air filters can be cleaned or replaced. There may be a need to replace the filters if their physical condition deteriorated significantly. You can use your judgement when it comes to how often you do this, but once every month is a good rule of thumb.

3. Clear any obstacles to the airflow.

Debris can compromise the overall efficiency of your air conditioner. The air conditioner should be cleared of any debris that interferes with the unit. It’s a good idea to make sure that no trees, shrubbery, and other foliage could be blocking off the unit’s air vents. The goal is to unblock any obstacles to the ventilation and maintain a steady flow of air for maximum air conditioning efficiency.

The air conditioner fins keep the cold air flowing smoothly out of the AC and into your home. If you haven’t been enjoying the same cool air that you are used to, open your air conditioner and inspect the fins. If they are twisted, bent, or broken, you’ve found the culprit. Once the fins are returned to their normal state, you should have better airflow from your air conditioner.

4. Keep your air conditioner away from the sun.

Your air conditioner may be exposed to hours of direct sunlight on a bright and sunny day. The natural heat from the sun may contribute to the inefficiencies of the AC system. When your air conditioner is in contact with the sun, it must work overtime to cool and condense the refrigerant coming out of the compressor discharging the heat from your home.

Both central air conditioning machines and window units need to be kept away from the direct glare of the sun as much as possible. Try to place either unit on the east or north side of the house in order to accomplish this. If there are any trees nearby, they can provide some shade onto your AC units.

5. Adjust your thermostat upwards.

During a cooler summer, you can adjust your thermostat temperatures upwards by a few degrees. This setting could save you some money, since you are using less resources from the air conditioner. Whether you can tolerate a warmer room temperature depends on your personal temperament. Most people won’t notice a significant difference in room temperature if you only increase it by one or two degrees.

If you have a programmable thermostat in your household, you can automatically adjust the indoor temperatures to reflect the different times in a day. During the hours when you are away from the home, adjust the thermostat appropriately to ease the pressure off your electricity utility bills.