Is your furnace acting up? Have your monthly energy bills been rising mysteriously? Your thermostat may be the culprit. While thermostats don’t have a set lifespan, they’re not designed to last forever. On average, a standard thermostat will begin experiencing performance issues around the 10-year mark.

If your thermostat is approaching the end of its life, there are several HVAC issues you’ll likely notice. Below, the experts at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating explain what some of the most common ones are.

Your Thermostat Displays False Temperature Readings

Does your house feel cooler than the temperature reading displayed on your thermostat? If you’ve set your furnace to a comfortable temperature but you’re still wearing layers indoors, a faulty thermostat may be the culprit.

Normally, a fully functional thermostat communicates the proper temperature reading to your furnace to maintain a set temperature in your house. But when its sensor malfunctions, the thermostat doesn’t register your indoor temperature properly. And since the furnace takes orders from the thermostat, when the thermostat doesn’t register the correct temperature, the furnace won’t operate properly either.

To find out whether your thermostat is displaying false reading, take an indoor temperature reading with a portable thermometer. If the temperatures aren’t the same, schedule an appointment with a heating and cooling specialist who can perform a more extensive assessment to determine what’s causing the problem.

Your Furnace or A/C Operates Inconsistently

If your furnace or air conditioner appears to turn off randomly, the units have likely stopped taking prompts from your thermostat. In this situation, the furnace or A/C unit may be malfunctioning, or the thermostat itself may have damaged wiring, which limits its ability to communicate with the furnace or air conditioner.

Again, you’ll need to contact a heating and cooling professional. Request an inspection of both the thermostat and the furnace for faulty or damaged components that may be causing the issue. 

Your Energy Bills Are Higher Than Usual

If your thermostat’s sensor is faulty, it won’t read your indoor temperature correctly. If it reads too high, your indoor spaces will remain cooler than you’d like. But if it reads too low, it’ll force your furnace to work overtime, causing your monthly energy bills to rise.

If you haven’t changed the way you use your heating or cooling system but your energy bills have risen mysteriously, a faulty thermostat could be the culprit. To find out what’s going on, schedule an appointment with a heating and cooling specialist who can inspect your furnace for issues.

If the problem isn’t your furnace, your technician can examine your thermostat to confirm whether you need a new one.

Your A/C or Furnace Short Cycles

Short cycling is one of the most common reasons homeowners replace their thermostats. So what exactly does this issue entail. It simply means your furnace or A/C shuts off before it completes a full cycle. If you continually deal with this issue, your thermostat is probably due for replacement.

Your Thermostat Doesn’t Respond to Setting Changes

When you adjust the temperature setting on your thermostat, your furnace or air conditioner should respond immediately. If it lags or doesn’t respond at all, it’s definitely time to get your thermostat checked out. There may be a wiring issue that’s easily fixable or, it may be time to replace the unit.

Need Heating and Cooling Help? Contact Steve’s Plumbing & Heating

If you live in the central Wisconsin area and need help with your furnace, air conditioner, ductwork, or thermostat, get in touch with our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating. We serve Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Marshfield, Wausau, and the surrounding areas and offer 24/7 emergency service for your convenience.

To get started, feel free to request an estimate, give us a call at 715-421-1800, or send us a message for more information.