If your thermostat temperature isn't accurate, your home can feel too hot or cold, and you can spend too much on energy because the HVAC system isn't cycling on and off as it should. If you're concerned that the temperature displayed on your thermostat isn't correct, here's what to do.
Clean Underneath the Cover
Dirt and debris on your thermostat's internal components can interfere with its ability to control temperatures accurately. Cleaning the inside may be an easy fix, so take off the cover and use a soft brush to gently dust the components. Then, put a dab of electrical contact cleaner on a cotton swab and remove any corrosion from the metal contacts.
Recalibrate the Unit
Sometimes, the sensor inside a thermostat goes out of whack and prevents it from working properly. If recalibrating your thermostat doesn't fix this, it's time to invest in a new unit.
Make Sure it's Level
If you still have a mercury thermostat, it may not read the temperature accurately if it gets knocked off level. You can try to fix this by putting a carpenter's level just above the unit and making minor adjustments in the thermostat's position until it's level again. If you're concerned that it's still not accurate, you should replace it.
Check the Location
The thermostat's location can affect how well it reads the room temperature. It needs to be centrally situated in your home and away from direct sunlight, drafts, heat sources and airflow from HVAC registers. If you think the location is causing accuracy issues, having it moved to a better spot may improve its performance.
Consider Advancing Age
Equipment often becomes less reliable as it ages, and this is true for thermostats too. If yours is still not accurate after you try all of the above fixes, it's wise to replace it. You can boost comfort and energy efficiency and benefit from convenience features by upgrading to a new Wi-Fi or programmable model.
If thermostat temperature issues are affecting the comfort in your Broken Arrow home and you need expert advice, contact us today at Air Assurance.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “lucadp/Shutterstock”
