Your thermostat is responsible for detecting the temperature changes and thereby, keeping your room warm in winter and cool in summer. A malfunctioning thermostat will let you bear the brunt of the weather. It can be very frustrating when your programmable thermostat does not reach the set temperature. A thermostat can malfunction due to many reasons and you will have to look for the possible causes. We shall now look for the possible reasons that can affect the functioning of your thermostat.
Why Your Thermostat Fails To Reach Set Temperature?
1. Size of Thermostat
One of the main reasons for the thermostat not reaching the set temperature is the size of the thermostat itself. If the thermostat is small for your home, it will not be able to cover the entire area. In doing so, it will not reach the set temperature. For this reason, you need to get a thermostat that is perfect for your home.
2. A Broken Thermostat
A broken thermostat will not be able to reach the set temperature despite displaying it on the screen. You can find thermostats that can have programmable features. An ideal solution for this will be to use a thermometer to confirm if the thermostat is displaying the accurate air temperature of the location.
3. A Dysfunctional Fan
Another possible reason for a malfunctioning thermostat is a dysfunctional fan. You will have to confirm if the fan and furnace work in correlation with each other. As it pumps warm air, it can affect its functioning. What you can do is to turn off the furnace and then turn off the fan after 2 minutes. This will prevent the fan from pumping cold air and can break the balance of the thermostat.
4. Frozen Thermostat
When your thermostat is frozen, you will experience the same problem. Smart thermostats come with a touch screen and you may face the problem when the issue is with static electricity. The display of the thermostat can freeze and it will stop sending data updates. When the thermostat does not reach the set temperature, you must try to reboot it. All you have to do is to turn it off for some time and then turn it on again.
5. Thermostat not Calibrated Properly
When there is incorrect calibration, the thermostat will not reach the set temperature. It can happen due to many reasons particularly due to low batteries or when there is a power outage. You will have to recalibrate an old thermostat. When the thermostat does not get calibrated, you need to get a replacement. Always make sure that the thermostat needs recalibration many times a year. Thankfully, thermostat calibration is simple to perform as you will only have to put in an accurate thermometer and confirm if the temperatures match.
6. Loose Wiring
With loose wiring, the thermostat will not reach the set temperature. There can be display issues as the wiring will not let the thermostat reach the set temperature. Luckily this is a simple problem and can be resolved conveniently. You can get an HVAC professional to fix the problem. The HVAC expert will be able to fix the issue and confirm if it is due to loose wiring or corrosion.
7. Thermostat Broken or Dirty
If the thermostat is broken or dirty, you will be having issues. A thermostat that has a broken part needs replacement. You need to call an HVAC expert to replace the broken thermostat parts as you will not be able to fix them. A dusty thermostat can also lead to problems and you will have to clean it. However, always get a professional to prevent any damages. Also, a thermostat that is not level can lead to an incorrect temperature reading. If the pin connection between the backplate and the thermostat is not level, the likelihood of the thermostat not reaching the set temperature will be high. This also needs fixing by an expert.
8. HVAC system is too small
Do note that the thermostat itself alone is not responsible for not reaching the set temperature. If your HVAC system is too small to provide a comforting zone in your entire house, you will be able to face the issue. It can happen due to many reasons like when you convert your garage into a living space or add a new room to your home. A simple solution for this will be to replace the HVAC system. Additionally, you can also get an extra cooling or heating solution to fill in the gaps.
9. Thermostat isn’t Positioned Effectively
A malfunctioning thermostat can happen when it is not in the appropriate position. You must never place the thermostat in an area that gets cold or hot than the rest of your home. As the unit has sensors that can read the temperature, it can affect its overall functioning. What you can do is move the thermostat to a room that is in constant use. Never keep it near the fireplace, window, exterior door, space heater, or stove. You must also prevent keeping the thermostat in areas that have constant lighting.
Conclusion
A properly functioning thermostat lets you stay comfortable during hot and cold days. A malfunctioning thermostat can be due to many reasons. Thankfully, most of these are simple and you can fix them in a quick time. However, you need to get an HVAC technician if you are not able to fix the issues on your own. Make sure that you have an expert as the thermostat comes with sensitive parts.
