Your AC thermostat is the part of your HVAC system that sees the most traffic. It’s the steering wheel to the car that is your AC system. It’s understandable then to extrapolate that if your thermostat is not functioning or functioning sub-optimally your car is in trouble. To a regular homeowner, non-obvious signs that a thermostat might be malfunctioning may go unnoticed. As a matter of fact, unless the thermostat is completely off most homeowners assume it’s working correctly. This is a common misconception. In this Modern Air & Refrigeration article, we will explore three most common signs that your AC thermostat might be in need of repairs or replacement.
AC Thermostat Unresponsiveness
The quickest way to judge the effectiveness of your AC thermostat is its responsiveness. This can be ascertained by paying attention to the ticking sound you hear when you drastically change the temperature in your home. Listen closely to hear how quickly the click comes after a temperature change. Anything more than 3 to 5 seconds points to a slow to respond or non-responsive thermostat. The size of an AC thermostat makes it unideal to open to diagnose the issue. If you notice unresponsiveness, be sure to contact your local Sarasota HVAC contractor for a professional diagnosis.
Short Cycling HVAC System
This next AC fault is a little more subtle than the easy to identify click from an AC thermostat. As a matter of fact, this issue is often mischaracterized as the entire AC malfunctioning but the culprit is more often than not the thermostat. Your HVAC system might be failing to complete a full heating and cooling cycle due to improper temperature readings from your thermostat. Known as short cycling, the half performed cycles will leave your home feeling unpleasant. This is a headscratcher that is usually assumed to be caused by a broken HVAC system. Again, in this case, you want a professional to take a look at your system to properly nail down the cause.
Uneven Temperatures
Another hard to diagnose sign that your AC thermostat might be malfunctioning is uneven temperatures throughout your home. If the thermostat cannot ascertain the correct temperature then the AC is left to random operation. This is not ideal and will lead to inefficient heating or cooling that can leave homeowners confused as to the cause. If all other parts of the AC are working correctly, and you’re still dealing with uneven temperatures then it might be time to consider the thermostat. This problem can be costly if parts of your AC are working against others due to uneven temperature readings.
Do you need professional help with your AC thermostat problems? Call Modern Air and Refrigeration’s 24/7 line at (941) 727-0330 or send us a quick message for an immediate response.