Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl) …. But Your Thermostat May Have Some Problems

Thermostats Are Mission Control for Your HVAC System 

Pop tunes mean summertime to us. Doesn’t everyone remember listening to their favorite song in the heat of July or August, when school was out, and the living was easy? Some things never change. But today, along with music, those of us in the HVAC business think about thermostats during the warmer months, too.

After all, this is the season when we get a lot of calls about this small but vital component in your HVAC system. 

“My AC is completely shut down! Nothing is happening!” the customer usually says on the other end of the phone line, panic creeping into their voice as the day outside gets hotter. 

Happily, often the solution here is to simply replace the thermostat’s batteries, which can and do go dead from time to time. This is as easy as running down to the supermarket or rummaging through your odds and ends drawer to find a new set of AAs. But sometimes the problem can be a little more complicated. If your thermostat is malfunctioning, you may need a visit from an HVAC professional to set things straight. 

In the spirit of the season and to help you gauge a possible thermostat problem, let’s take a look at some common situations that often require intervention, all to a musical beat! 

Wheel In the Sky Keeps on Turning, and Your AC Does Too

If the number on your thermostat indicates the desired temp but the AC just keeps on going, it may mean the thermostat isn’t telling the rest of the system it’s reached the set point. To avoid stressing out your equipment and paying for the continuous energy necessary to keep it running 24/7, it could be time to replace your thermostat altogether. Luckily, this is not usually an expensive proposition, and newer models are often far more convenient. Let your technician investigate. 

Your Thermostat Is Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places

Leave it to the country musical artist Johnny Lee to sum up a common problem with dating. It also applies to thermostats: if they’re placed in the wrong area of your home, they can’t accurately determine ambient temperature. For example, if your thermostat is subject to bright sunlight because it’s directly across from a sunny window, you’re going to have it feeding the rest of your system the wrong information. Simply relocating it can mean the difference between indoor comfort and always being slightly too cold or too hot. And where to meet Mr. or Ms. Right? We’ll stick with the questions about indoor comfort and leave that to the dating experts! 

Your Thermostat Has a Touch of Grey

Hey, we’re all about grey hair looking great. On thermostats, though, older doesn’t mean better. If your thermostat is more than a decade old, it may be time to get a new one. They’re relatively inexpensive, very easy to install and they’ll help you not only save energy with more efficient calibration, but they’ll also allow you to spend less money when it comes to cooling and heating. 

Whatever your musical tastes, indoor comfort is an essential part of a happy summer season. Maintaining or upgrading your thermostat can help. 

Get the San Gabriel Valley’s heating and cooling experts for all your HVAC needs. Call Air-Tro, today! (626) 357-3535.