Clean your Air Filters, Vents, and Ducts – A clogged air filter will struggle to meet the thermostat's set temperature since the dirt and debris buildup prevents air from circulating through the vents. And as airflow into living spaces drops, so do comfort levels.
Reason #1: Your thermostat is improperly calibrated.
As with any piece of technology, the thermostat may become faulty from time to time. This affects its ability to assess the temperature accurately.
Yes it is normal. It has to do with the ``swing'' or differential on your thermostat. This is the amount the thermostat allows the temperature to rise above your setpoint (or fall below setpoint for heat) before the system comes on again. Yours is probably set to +/- 2 degrees.
Generally, you don't need to go any lower than 62 at any time of day. Doing so may mean that your energy bills drop, but you're going to be pretty uncomfortable. As we talked about above, keeping your home between 62 – 72 at all times will be the best solution.
One of the most common reasons for a thermostat to reset itself is old batteries. If you haven't changed them recently, replacing them with new batteries is a good first step.
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.
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.
But don't take it from us, take it from the World Health Organization: They recommend a temperature of at least 64°… and raising that to at least 70° if there are babies, elderly people, or otherwise immunocompromised people in the home.
In short, the 20-degree rule of air conditioning states that you should always keep your AC unit at no more than 20 degrees lower than the outside temperature. It means that, if the outdoor conditions are at 95 degrees, you should set your thermostat at no less than 75 degrees.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends setting your thermostat no lower than 64 degrees (F) in the Winter months while people are in the home. If there are infants or elderly individuals, they recommend keeping the temperature at 70 degrees at a minimum.
You may have leaky or damaged ducts that are letting hot air escape and cold air in. Sometimes a damper in the system can get miss-adjusted or come loose, thereby inadvertently blocking or reducing airflow.
Inadequate Insulation
Check your property for drafty windows and doors, and inspect your attic and crawlspace for decayed insulation material. If your ceiling, walls, or flooring feels cold in the winter, that's a sign you should call in the professionals to improve your home's insulation and boost its R-value.
Clean your Air Filters, Vents, and Ducts – A clogged air filter will struggle to meet the thermostat's set temperature since the dirt and debris buildup prevents air from circulating through the vents. And as airflow into living spaces drops, so do comfort levels.
Slow hot water recovery can be an indication of a faulty lower thermostat. If the water is too hot, it is likely that one or both of the water heater thermostats are set too high.
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.
The lowest outside temperature at which to run your AC is typically around 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. At temperatures below this range, your air conditioner might not operate efficiently, causing increased energy consumption and potential strain on the system.
There are benefits to having your air conditioner set to “auto” and “on.” The benefits of the “auto” setting include higher efficiency, lower energy bills, better humidity control, less wear and tear on some components, and quieter running.
The temperature of your sleeping space is important, but so is the temperature under the covers. The best temperature for sleep is between 62-68°F for most adults. Anything above or below those temperatures may affect your sleep.
Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you'll save an average of 3 percent on heating costs.
Cooling a house from 80 to 72 degrees is a common goal for many, especially during the peak of summer. On average, this process takes roughly two and a half to three and a half hours.
One easy thing you can do to check the accuracy of your thermostat is to do a temperature check. See what your thermostat reads. Then use a portable indoor thermometer to compare the temps. Another good way to do the temperature check is to download one of the many free apps that allow you to check indoor temperatures.
Changes in the Performance of Your HVAC System
If your HVAC system does not turn on at all or if it heats or cools your property excessively, the control board might be the cause of the problem. A damaged transistor or cut circuit could prevent the HVAC control board from sending the proper signals.