With the arrival of spring, you’ll be heavily relying on your Clearwater, FL air conditioning system to get you through our extended cooling system. As you use your AC system more heavily, you may find that the need for air conditioning repair crops up.
However, what seems like an AC system issue can sometimes be attributed to the thermostat and not the AC system itself. Let’s go over 6 examples of a malfunctioning thermostat.
1. Malfunctioning Sensor
Your thermostat has a sensor that detects temperature changes. Sometimes this sensor can fail, leading to the thermostat reading your home’s temperature incorrectly. This component is also subject to the accumulation of dust, dirt, and lint which can interfere with the sensor’s capability.
2. Fan Only Mode
Most AC systems have a “fan only” mode which can be used to circulate air in your home without creating cold air. Sometimes your thermostat can inadvertently get switched to “fan only” mode. If the blower fan is running but your home’s temperature isn’t decreasing, check to see if the AC is in “fan only” mode.
3. Pre-Programmed Settings
If you’re new to how smart thermostats operate, one of the things that might have sold you on the upgrade is the fact that they have the ability to learn your cooling preferences. As your new smart thermostat learns your preferences, there’s a bit of a learning curve.
Some thermostats can temporarily suspend pre-programmed settings when they think no one is at home. This is helpful when you’re not home and forgot to change the thermostat. To get around this, switch the thermostat from automatic to manual mode. You’ll need to adjust the temperature manually, but this is a good temporary fix to see if it’s causing the problem.
4. The Batteries Need Replacement
When was the last time you checked the batteries in your thermostat? If the screen is dim or completely blank, it’s time to replace the batteries with a new set.
5. DIY Smart Thermostat Installation
Did you decide to upgrade to a Wi-Fi or smart thermostat? There’s more to the successful installation of a smart thermostat than a YouTube tutorial video would have you believe!
Sometimes a DIY smart thermostat installation can cause problems when there’s a mismatch between the thermostat model and your AC system. If you’ve recently installed a smart thermostat, are experiencing issues with your AC, and can’t troubleshoot what’s going on, give us a call.
6. Thermostat Miscalibration
A thermostat can develop a miscalibration of several degrees, resulting in the AC staying on too long or not running long enough. If you notice your AC isn’t reaching the temperature targets you set on the thermostat, we recommend calling us to check if the thermostat needs recalibration.
Although thermostat issues may seem like an easy DIY fix, when troubleshooting it yourself doesn’t work, give us a call for professional advice that’ll restore your home’s air conditioning.
Contact Bayonet Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule air conditioning repair in Clearwater, FL today!
