Thermostats regulate the temperature of your Brenham home, turning on heat and air conditioning as needed to keep your house the desired temperature. A programmable thermostat is usually dependable, but there are times when this equipment goes bad.
Because thermostats tend to malfunction slowly over time rather than suddenly breaking, the effects are often gradual and insidious enough that many people don't realize they need repair. If the following issues occur in your home, it is probably time to call in the thermostat repair professionals.
If your heater or air conditioner is constantly running until you manually turn them off, there is a chance that your thermostat has a wiring issue. This is easily identified and resolved by a professional.
Having a programmable thermostat should mean that you never have to turn your HVAC on or off. Your home should stay at the temperature you have set, give or take a few degrees. A malfunctioning thermostat can lead to high utility bills, as well as a home that is not a comfortable temperature. This is usually an affordable issue to repair, far more so than paying higher utility bills month after month.
If your butter is melting in your kitchen and the thermostat says the temperature is 68 degrees Fahrenheit, there is a problem. The same principle applies if the thermostat is set to 72 but the occupants of your house are shivering despite wearing slippers and a sweater. Don't assume everyone is coming down with an illness or has the chills, get out a thermometer and see if the temperature of your Brenham home is the same as the reading on your thermostat.
Again, this is often a small and affordable repair that can often be handled in a single visit from a quality (city) business. Your comfort, and your ability to easily pay utility bills are well worth it. No one should be shivering in August or sweating in January.
It seems like everything is more expensive these days, so many homeowners don't question it when their utility bills rise month after month. However, this may be due to the need for thermostat repair. A malfunctioning thermostat is often not noticeable at first except for the difference in your monthly bills.
If your utility company has not recently raised rates, your bill for heating and air conditioning should be roughly the same as it was last year at this time - unless you are having record temperatures, of course. A sharp increase means it is time to look for root causes before they bankrupt you.
If you turn on or change the temperature setting on your thermostat and nothing happens, there are two options.
Either your home is already the desired temperature (this is easy to check!) or some part of your HVAC system is not working. The thermostat is the most obvious offender in this situation, and the easiest one to fix.
Many people don't listen for the sound of the system kicking on. We just assume that everything is functioning as it should. However, even the most reliable system sometimes needs maintenance and repair. If you think the furnace or AC isn't turning on, fiddle with your thermostat settings and listen carefully.
At some times of the year, you may not notice a huge and uncomfortable difference even if your thermostat is literally leaving you in the cold. However, it is important to identify these issues before the next cold front or heat wave, when plumbers and HVAC experts will be booked solid. This is often an affordable fix as well; a tripped breaker or bent wire can be the cause.
If you cannot see a temperature on your display, your thermostat is almost certainly not working. There may be other symptoms as well. If your thermostat display usually is backlit and then suddenly has no light, this can be a sign of a problem. While the display itself doesn't affect your home temperature directly, it can be a sign that the thermostat has other problems. If you are not sure whether your display looks as it should, search online for images. A broken display should always be a red flag that you need expert help.
If you suspect that your programmable thermostat is malfunctioning, it is time to get it tested and repaired. A malfunctioning thermostat can increase your utility bills while making your home less comfortable. At some times of the year, temperature control is even necessary for good health.
For help with checking your thermostat in your Brenham, TX home, contact Plumb Level at (979) 200-6674 today.