If your thermostat is not reading correctly, it might be due to a dirty or faulty sensor. A quick fix could be to gently clean the sensor with canned air to remove any dust buildup. However, if problems persist, replacing the thermostat could be the next step.
Use the manual to find the screw for calibration. Turn the screw to match the temperature of the thermostat to the room temperature. Turn the HVAC system and the power back on, and the power. Turn on the thermostat and wait a few minutes for it to adjust to the temperature.
That usually means that the thermostat sensor is faulty. You have two options. Change the thermostat, or simply ask for a higher temperature. So press the up arrow a few times to change the 74 to 78 and you should feel warmer.
Dirty or worn flame sensors, blower motor problems, clogs in the condensate lines, and electrical issues are some of the many problems that can leave your HVAC system failing to deliver the temperatures you've programmed in your thermostat.
To do so, locate your home's thermostat and tape an accurate thermometer on the wall next to it. Wait 15 minutes and check the temperature reading on both devices. If your readings are three or fewer degrees apart, you should be good to go.
If your thermostat is not reading correctly, it might be due to a dirty or faulty sensor. A quick fix could be to gently clean the sensor with canned air to remove any dust buildup. However, if problems persist, replacing the thermostat could be the next step.
Bring a deep container of water to a full rolling boil. Submerge thermometer stem (including the sensory dimple of a dial stem thermometer) for about 30 seconds — until indicator stops moving. Make sure that the stem does not touch the side or bottom of the container. Check to see that the temperature is 212 F (100 C).
If your thermostat is not reading correctly, it might be due to a dirty or faulty sensor. A quick fix could be to gently clean the sensor with canned air to remove any dust buildup. However, if problems persist, replacing the thermostat could be the next step.
Another problem that can cause your house to be hotter than what you've set the thermostat to is if your home's HVAC system isn't sized properly. An HVAC system that's too large for your house will cool your home unevenly. It will only cool some rooms off and then shut off versus cooling down the entire house.
If you're cold even though your thermostat indicates you shouldn't be, your furnace likely isn't the problem. In most cases, it's working just fine. It's your home that needs attention. Lack of insulation, severe air leakage, and/or unbalanced ductwork are frequently to blame.
For many of us, 70 degrees is the ideal indoor temperature, but when it is close to 100 degrees outside, your AC unit will be working quite hard to meet these expectations. Consider setting your thermostat at 75 degrees to 80 degrees in your home if the outside temperature is approaching triple digits.
A bad thermostat can be detected when your AC or furnace is not turning on, your HVAC systems are not turning off, the thermostat not responding, your HVAC system is short-cycling, the room temperature not matching the temperature displayed on the thermostat, and the programmed setting resetting themselves.
Most modern thermostats will have a clearly marked reset button inside the panel. It's usually small and recessed, so you might need a pointed object like a paperclip to press it. For those wondering specifically how to reset air conditioner thermostat models, the process is generally the same.
Access the Menu: Once the thermostat is off, press and hold the center button on the device. This will bring up the main menu. Navigate to Reset Option: Use the arrow buttons to navigate to the “Settings” option, then select “Reset” from the list. Select Factory Reset: You will see a few reset options.
Some of the most common thermostat issues include:
The thermostat is broken, not properly level, or dusty. The thermostat needs to be recalibrated. There is loose wiring causing a thermostat issue. The thermostat is not in an ideal location in your home.
To reset a non-programmable digital thermostat, you'll need to take the face-off and hold the reset button for five seconds. You can also try removing the batteries for five seconds. Both of these methods should result in a reset thermostat.
If, no matter how often you set the thermostat, the setting and room temperature never match, the unit has likely lost accuracy. The cause may be a calibration issue. Or, the unit may have a wiring problem affecting its function and power supply.
Clean the Thermostat
Sometimes, when the room temperature doesn't match the thermostat setting, the problem could be dirt buildup on its interior parts. A dirt coating around the inner components may create excess heat and cause the thermostat to give the wrong readings.
Using a small screwdriver, gently turn the calibration screw or move the adjustment lever until the thermostat's temperature reading matches the thermometer's reading. Make minor adjustments and allow time for the thermostat to adjust to the new setting before rechecking the temperature.
Locate the sensor, which is a small, round component usually positioned near the bottom of the thermostat. It may be labeled as “sensor” or “thermistor.” Using a soft brush or a can of compressed air, carefully clean the sensor to remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated on its surface.
Using an appropriately sized screwdriver, turn the calibration screw to open the contacts. Wait a few seconds, then turn the screw to close the contacts. This will reset the contacts and make sure a bad connection wasn't causing your thermostat to become uncalibrated.
This may include not following instructions correctly when taking a measurement. It can also give incorrect measurement if not reset or cleaned properly. Faulty equipment can lead to inaccurate readings from digital thermometers. If the battery has run out of charge then it can lead to incorrect reading.
Calibrating a thermometer is a process that makes sure the instrument is taking an accurate temperature reading. By testing a thermometer on a substance with a known temperature and adjusting it, you can make sure the device is reading correctly, meaning there's as little deviation from the set standard as possible.