Troubleshooting Common Thermostat Problems

If you’re having problems with your heating or cooling system, the culprit might not be the system itself – you may be having one of the common thermostat problems. We’ve received phone calls from several people worried that there was something seriously wrong with their furnace’s motor or their air conditioner’s compressor. However, once we checked out their system we found that there was nothing more wrong than a minor thermostat issue. Metro Express Service would like to share some tips that can help you diagnose and take care of potential issues with your thermostat so you don’t have to worry that there is a major problem with your HVAC system.

Thermostat Troubleshooting Checklist

Here are a few potential thermostat problems to check before you call a technician for heating or cooling system service:

• If you have a programmable thermostat, you need to make sure you’re using the right batteries. For example, many models require AA lithium batteries, not alkaline. Alkaline batteries will lose their energy much faster – especially if you turn on the backlight often to check the temperature.
• The location of the thermostat could also be an issue. It may be too close to a heat source or in a drafty hallway and cause your system to cycle on and off too often.
• Dust is another common cause of thermostat problems. Take off the cover and use a small paintbrush to clean the unit.

These are, again, just some of the common reasons for thermostat problems. If you are still having issues after taking the above troubleshooting steps, call Metro Express Service at 972-263-2500 or contact us online to have a technician come to your home.