Damaged Sensors. A thermostat turns on your
Check for dust, dirt, and other kinds of residue inside the thermostat. Excessive dust and dirt buildup can prevent your thermostat from working properly. Clean any residue you see on the thermostat, and see if that helps improve the temperature in your home.
The location of your thermostat matters. Make sure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight or drafts. You must also ensure it is not near heat-emitting appliances like lamps or electronics. These factors can trick the thermostat into sensing a higher temperature, causing it to overshoot.
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.
Room Temperature and Thermostat Setting Don't Match
Several things can be the culprit. Everything from the power for the thermostat to the thermostat itself may be faulty. However, there is a strong likelihood that if the thermostat goes above the set temp, it isn't working properly.
Insufficient insulation: Without adequate insulation, conditioned air will escape through gaps and cracks in walls and ceilings, leading to temperature fluctuations that create hot spots.
One common reason is a dirty or clogged air filter, which restricts airflow and reduces the system's efficiency. Low refrigerant levels can also cause the AC to struggle in reaching the desired temperature, as it affects the cooling process.
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.
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.
Your AC might not cool properly due to thermostat issues, an undersized unit, or extremely high outdoor temps—so check those first. Keep an eye on airflow—replace clogged filters every 3 months, and make sure vents and ducts aren't blocked for efficient cooling.
If the temperature is set to 74°F but the thermometer shows 78°F, you will have to recalibrate the thermostat to account for this 4-degree deviation. Even with older AC units or furnaces, you might have to recalibrate your thermostat from time to time.
A common oversight for a thermostat showing the wrong temperature is the state of its batteries. Dead or low-power batteries can lead to inaccurate readings. Simply replacing the batteries might restore your thermostat's accuracy and functionality.
Many factors can cause this issue, including clogged filters, refrigerant leaks and the wrong unit size. While it's possible to troubleshoot it yourself, it is best to contact an HVAC professional for your AC problems.
In general, 80 degrees is too hot for a house if people are inside. However, if people aren't home during the day or for vacation during the summer, an indoor temperature of 80 degrees can save energy until you return and lower the temperature.
The thermostat needs to be recalibrated.
Sometimes, your furnace or AC system won't hit the thermostat temperature because the thermostat isn't correctly calibrated. This can be a common issue with new thermostats, and also often occurs after a power outage or when the thermostat's batteries are running low.
Air leakage – if there are gaps and cracks in your home (under doors, around windows, through attic penetrations, around your foundation, etc.) warm air will leak into your home increasing the temperature, and potentially the humidity levels, in your home.
A high reading on the temperature gauge could mean any number of problems from a coolant leak, a water pump malfunction, or broken thermostat gauge. It could be displaying an inaccurate temperature. In this case, your car may not be overheating, but your temperature gauge won't be able to warn you.
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.
One possible reason your AC is not reaching the set temperature is that the thermostat could be dirty. If dirt, dust, or other debris has accumulated within the thermostat box, it can cause the wires to heat up or other issues. Thermostats are cleaned during routine HVAC maintenance to help prevent this from happening.
Thermostat Detecting Wrong Heat Levels
In most cases, a malfunctioning thermostat is the cause of your home's overheating. When the temperature sensor inside your thermostat detects the wrong heat levels, it will tell your heater to keep running even if your home is already comfortably warm.
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.
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.
Proper airflow is crucial for an AC system to cool your home efficiently. Several factors can compromise airflow, including blocked or obstructed vents, closed or incorrectly adjusted dampers, and dirty or obstructed evaporator coils. These issues restrict the air's flow, reducing the system's cooling capacity.
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.