If your thermostat is reading the wrong temperature, first verify it with a standard room thermometer. A discrepancy of 1 1 to 2∘F 2∘F is normal, but a gap of 3∘F 3∘F or more usually indicates a deeper problem. Most issues can be resolved with simple maintenance or adjusting your settings.
To quickly fix an inaccurate thermostat, verify the actual room temperature with a separate digital thermometer, clean dust from the internal sensors, and calibrate the thermostat using its system settings menu.
When your thermostat is set to 73°F but reads 78°F, your system is struggling to keep up with the heat or is misreading the ambient air. To get your home back to a comfortable temperature, you can easily troubleshoot a few common culprits.
Calibrating your thermostat ensures your HVAC system heats or cools to the actual temperature you want. You can do this by following a simple process of measuring, confirming, and adjusting.
One of the biggest culprits behind a cold home is inadequate insulation. Your HVAC system may be producing enough heat, but if it's escaping through walls, windows, doors, and ceilings, you'll struggle to maintain warmth. Check for Drafts – Cold air can seep in through gaps around windows and doors.
How can you tell if a thermostat is bad?
No, 68°F is not generally considered cold for a house in winter. In fact, experts at the U.S. Department of Energy recommend 68°F as the ideal, energy-efficient temperature for the winter months while you are awake.
The way to reset a thermostat depends on its type. For programmable or smart thermostats, you usually access the factory reset or reboot options directly through the device's settings menu or by power cycling the HVAC system at the breaker for 30 seconds.
With prices for a standard thermometer calibration starting at £22.00 we are sure we won't be beaten on price. Simply send us your instruments either by courier or through the post and we will do the rest. Our turnaround time is usually within three working days!
Checking the calibration of your thermostat is easy and should be done once a year, generally in the fall. 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.
A house set to 70°F can feel cold due to drafty windows, low indoor humidity, or cold wall surfaces that draw heat from your body. Because human comfort depends on factors beyond air temperature, the following hidden culprits are likely at play:
The Furnace Won't Ignite: This is the most common and most telling sign. If the gas valve doesn't open, the ignition sequence simply can't begin. Intermittent Heating or Sudden Shutdowns: These unpredictable cycles often point to weak solenoid coils or unstable electrical connections.
Yes, thermostats often change temperatures on their own. This is typically caused by active programming, smart features, or electrical issues.
Temperature reading accuracy can be skewed by environmental conditions (sunlight, drafts, humidity), device placement (proximity to vents or heat sources), sensor issues (aging, incorrect calibration), and recent user behaviors (eating, drinking, or exercising).
Average Lifespan of a Thermostat
With a straightforward design and basic scheduling features, they are reliable workhorses that can last 10 to 15 years with proper care. Routine programming updates and occasional recalibrations go a long way toward keeping them accurate and extending their usefulness.
A thermostat getting stuck on one temperature is typically caused by dead batteries, a locked program schedule, loose wiring, or a tripped circuit breaker.
Poor calibration causes equipment to drift, leading to inaccurate measurements, inconsistent results, erratic system behavior, and failed quality specifications. Left unaddressed, it decreases operational efficiency, triggers safety risks, and increases manufacturing defects or waste.
Without calibration, temperature readings can slowly decrease in accuracy over time.
Most TVs are able to achieve decent accuracy with only a few minor settings changes, most of which can be easily done by beginners at home, with no specialized equipment. For most people, having a TV professionally calibrated isn't necessary.
The reset button's location depends on your thermostat type. For older models, it is usually a recessed button on the circuit board (often behind the faceplate) or a dedicated button on the front or side. For modern smart thermostats, you typically reset the device through the digital menu.
Yes, 72°F is a very comfortable temperature for your daytime heat setting. However, it is slightly higher than the recommended energy-saving guidelines, which could increase your heating bill.
Pushing the reset button on a thermostat clears errors and restores communication with your HVAC unit. However, depending on the type of reset, it will usually erase all custom schedules, temperature settings, and Wi-Fi configurations.
Keep your thermostat set to a minimum of 55°F (13°C) to keep your pipes from freezing. If you are leaving the house for an extended period, maintain this temperature to ensure heat reaches the walls where pipes are located.
It takes time for your home to warm up and cool down. If you're not sure how long it takes, try turning the heating on about 30 minutes before you need it. You should turn it off 30 minutes before you'll stop needing it.
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.