6 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Thermostat
As temperatures are warming up here in Tallahassee, you might find yourself reaching for the thermostat more often to keep your home cool and comfortable.
While many people think of a thermostat as nothing more than a keypad for setting the temperature, thermostats serve an important purpose. The primary role of a thermostat is to read the temperature throughout your home and communicate that information to your HVAC unit. If your thermostat doesn’t detect that the temperature in your home has gone up, for instance, it can’t send the appropriate signals for your HVAC to cool it to the temperature you set.
A typical thermostat only has a lifespan of 10 years before you need to replace it. After the 10-year mark, many thermostats become less reliable and lessen the efficiency of heating and cooling in your home. Are you wondering whether it’s time for yours to get an upgrade? Here are six signs it might be time to replace your thermostat.
1. You’re noticing constant temperature shifts.
If your thermostat is in good working order, you should not notice drastic changes in temperature throughout the day (unless they are pre-programmed, of course). If you notice unintentional temperature shifts, it might be time to replace it.
2. The temperature readings on your thermostat don’t seem accurate.
Are you and your family burning up inside the house, but the thermostat says the temperature is a crisp 65 degrees? Seemingly inaccurate temperature readings are another tell-tale sign of an old or malfunctioning thermostat.
3. The AC is constantly running.
The sound of your HVAC unit cranking up to cool the home is a familiar (and usually welcome) sound on a hot Florida day, but you shouldn’t be hearing that sound all the time. If it seems like your AC unit is always running, and not just at certain times throughout the day, it might be an issue with your thermostat.
4. Your thermostat is short-cycling.
Some of the issues discussed above, such as rapidly changing temperatures, can be attributed to what’s known as short-cycling. If your HVAC system is short-cycling, it is shutting off before it can complete the full heating or cooling cycle. That means your unit is constantly starting up and shutting off again, wasting money. Short-cycling can have other causes, such as a plugged-up vent, so it’s a good idea to have your HVAC inspected by a professional if you think it might be an issue with your thermostat.
5. Your thermostat is more than 10 years old.
While every unit’s wear-and-tear is different, planning to replace your thermostat around the 10-year mark is a good rule of thumb. It could be having issues that aren’t as easily detectible as the entire HVAC unit abruptly shutting on and off, but small issues can still waste a lot of money in electric bills over time.
6. You want to save money by auto-programming.
Most newer thermostats are programmable. These updated devices save money on your electric bill by automating temperature changes throughout the day. If you have an older, manual model, replacing it with a programmable one might be worth consideration.
If your thermostat is having issues and needs to be replaced, it’s better to take action before any serious problems arise. As with all care for your HVAC system, preventative maintenance is better than unexpected – and often inconvenient – repairs.
If you think your thermostat may be having issues, it’s time to call in the professionals. The expert team at Barineau Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Give us a call at 850.580.4029 or click here to book an appointment today.
