It might seem obvious, but before rushing to change your thermostat’s batteries, double-check that your thermostat is turned on. To change your thermostat’s batteries, just remove its cover and replace the old batteries with new ones.
It’s easy to check the wiring connections in your thermostat yourself. First, go to your circuit breaker box and switch off power to your thermostat and HVAC system. Then, take the cover off of your thermostat. Clean the wiring and components with a soft brush or cloth, looking for any loose or frayed wires. If you see any, it’s best to contact an HVAC technician to get them fixed. [3] X Research source
If your thermostat has an “On” and an “Auto” setting, make sure your thermostat is set to “Auto. ” When using this setting, your heat or AC should only come on when the temperature needs to be adjusted back to your desired temperature. If your thermostat doesn’t have any loose wires, it might have a calibration issue. Turn off your thermostat at your circuit breaker box and take off the thermostat’s cover. Find your calibration screw, which is usually inside a curved piece of metal. Take a screwdriver and turn the screw back and forth to open the thermostat’s contacts. Wait a few seconds, then turn the screw back to close the contacts back up. [5] X Research source Some thermostats still have a mercury vial for calibration. If yours has one, turn off your thermostat at the breaker and put on a pair of gloves. Take the thermostat cover off and use a level to ensure that the vial is straight.
To check if this is an issue, first make sure that your thermostat is properly set to “Heat” or “Cool. ” Then, use your smartphone or a thermometer to measure the temperature in your house. If you get a different reading than what your thermostat says, it’s best to call a HVAC technician to diagnose and fix your thermostat.
To troubleshoot this issue, replace the thermostat’s batteries, turn the breaker off and on, and check for any loose wires. Then, turn your thermostat up or down by 5 degrees, depending on the season. If your thermostat doesn’t click on due to the temperature change, call your HVAC technician. [8] X Research source
As always, check that your thermostat is properly set to “Heat” or “Cool” and that its wires are fully connected. If that doesn’t seem to be the issue, call your HVAC technician. They can tell you whether your HVAC system or thermostat is the problem and how to fix it.
If changing your thermostat’s batteries doesn’t solve this issue, it’s likely that your thermostat is just at the end of its life. Look for a newer, more energy-efficient thermostat like a smart or programmable thermostat to replace your old one. [11] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Department of Energy Official site for the U. S. Department of Energy, which provides resources related to energy safety, conservation, and efficiency Go to source
Replacing your thermostat is a good time to upgrade to a more energy-efficient, cost-saving model, whether that’s a programmable thermostat or a smart thermostat.
If turning your thermostat on and off and checking its wires doesn’t solve this issue, there might be an internal malfunction within your thermostat or HVAC system. The best thing to do at this point is call your HVAC technician to check out the issue.
