Troubleshooting Tips for a Programmable Thermostat

As the focus on simultaneous comfort, convenience and energy savings grows, so does the popularity of programmable thermostats. These devices let you program temperature changes to save energy while you’re away or sleeping all while coming home or waking up to a comfortable home.

There may come a time when troubleshooting a programmable thermostat is necessary to get it working again. Follow these steps before you call a professional for help.

• Change the batteries: The display screen can still glow with low batteries but the programmed settings could stop working. Turn the thermostat off, remove the front cover and replace the batteries, which are most likely AA’s. Replace the cover, switch the thermostat back on and see if it works now.
• Check the fuse: Most programmable thermostats have a fuse, which contains a filament like an incandescent light bulb. If too much power travels through the filament, it separates. Take the blown fuse with you to a hardware store to find the right replacement.
• Test both the heating and cooling system: If the thermostat isn’t working with your air conditioner, switch it over to the furnace and see if the equipment kicks on. Do the opposite if the thermostat isn’t properly controlling the heating equipment. If a problem exists with one system and not the other, it’s probably the equipment itself and not the thermostat that needs attention. Call an HVAC contractor to come take a look.
• Replace the thermostat: If none of the above steps reveal a solution, the thermostat’s circuit board has worn out and you need to replace the thermostat. Check with the manufacturer to see if it’s still under warranty. If it is, or if it has been recalled due to defects, expect a free replacement. Otherwise, you need to purchase a new one out-of-pocket.
• Install the new thermostat: This is a DIY task you can probably accomplish by yourself. If the new thermostat doesn’t correct the problem, call a technician to give your entire HVAC system a once over.

For more tips on troubleshooting a programmable thermostat, contact Roth Heating & Cooling in Portland today.