Tell-Tale Signs Your Thermostat Needs a Repair

Losing your heat or air conditioning is a terrible feeling any time of year. It’s often expensive to fix, and you may not be able to get a service technician before your household desperately needs it. Don’t panic: There’s a chance that it’s just the thermostat. Determine if your thermostat needs repair with these simple steps.

Ensure the Breaker is On

All thermostats work by sending an electrical impulse to the furnace when you need heating, and to the air conditioner when you need cooling. Locate your breaker box and confirm that the switch associated with the thermostat is flipped on.

Check the Settings

Whether you have both A/C and heat or not, your thermostat may have both “cool” and “heat” settings. If it’s switched to “cool,” the heat won’t turn on no matter how cold it gets. If the thermostat has options to turn the fan on and off, make sure it’s set to “on” or “auto” according to your needs. Programmable thermostats require batteries, so double-check that the battery is fresh and functioning. Look through the existing programs, ensuring that everything is set to the right temperature with no exceptions.

Cross the Wires

Go back to the breaker box and turn off the appropriate breaker. When you’re certain that no electricity reaches your thermostat, remove it from the mounting bracket and locate the wires. Snap a picture so you know how to put the wires back. Remove the wires from the back of the thermostat.

Hold the wires tight to keep them from slipping inside the wall. Cross the two wires associated with the furnace, and then flip the breaker back on. If the furnace starts up, then the problem is not in your furnace. Turn the breaker back off, and repeat with the wires for air conditioning. If both start, the thermostat is likely the problem.

For more information on how to tell if your thermostat needs repair, or to get a quality replacement, contact us at Sobieski Services, Inc. today. We serve Wilmington and the surrounding areas, including Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey.

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