Most homeowners know that they need to upgrade their heating and cooling systems every decade or two. While most people are on top of replacing their furnace or air conditioner in a timely manner, some of them lag behind when it comes to upgrading their thermostats, which is unhelpful since these devices are responsible for controlling all climate control systems in the home. If you’re not exactly sure when is the right time to replace your existing–and probably outdated–thermostat, we’ve got you covered. Here Anthony’s Cooling-Heating-Electrical, a reputable heating and electric company in Florida, breaks down all of the factors to consider when determining if it’s time to replace your thermostat — and why you should follow through with it.
When Should I Replace My Thermostat?
If mild to serious problems are popping up with your heating and cooling systems quite frequently, it may be time to replace your thermostat. While it’s possible to opt for repairs, it really depends on the model of thermostat you’ve installed in your home if this is feasible. Though there are a few issues that can be resolved with minor adjustments, such as replacing the batteries or scrubbing away grimy buildup, oftentimes a faulty thermostat needs to be upgraded to bring back a functional HVAC system.
Types of Thermostats
Upgrading your thermostat allows you to take advantage of more recent advancements in HVAC technology that have been introduced to the market over the last decade. For example, installing a wireless thermostat can significantly expand the effective range of your thermostat, thanks to wireless satellite units that can be moved from room to room.
Smart thermostats can learn the temperature patterns of a household after just a few weeks and adjust heating and cooling automatically. These devices will assess whether your home is occupied or about to be occupied and calibrate accordingly, which helps minimize the use of your cooling, heating and electric systems for significant periods of time. This helps save energy and create a cozy, pleasant living space in the process.
Signs Your Thermostat Needs to Be Replaced
You may be dealing with some issues with your heating and cooling system, and might even suspect that they’re being caused by issues with your thermostat. Here are some common signs to look out for that suggest your thermostat may need to be replaced soon.
- An evident lack of cold or hot air coming from your vents when your thermostat is switched on can be an indication that it’s failing to power up your HVAC system. A common example is your furnace blowing cold or hot air that doesn’t coordinate with the temperature setting.
- Another sign of a faulty thermostat is having a display light that’s not lighting up.
- If your central cooling unit keeps turning on and off repeatedly, this can also be a cue that your thermostat needs to be replaced.
- If your heating or cooling unit won’t start at all or is constantly running, this can indicate serious issues with your thermostat.
Benefits of Replacing Your Thermostat
Discarding a shabby old thermostat and upgrading it with an up-to-date model is a big investment for many homeowners. However, a local heating services provider says that you’ll be rewarded with a comprehensive thermostat that’s easier to operate and displays more accurate settings, which all contribute to lower electricity bills. Here are the benefits of switching to a brand-new temperature control device.
You’ll lower your energy bills over time. Switching from a manual thermostat to a programmable one is a great way to cut back on your energy consumption and utility costs at home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, by following the proper thermostat settings, you can reduce your annual energy bills by five to 15 percent, which is a notable savings that often pays for the price of purchasing and installing a new, energy-efficient thermostat.
Your temperature settings can adjust automatically. Another advantage of installing a programmable thermostat in your home is that you can put in your desired temperature settings once and the device will automatically adjust them for you after that. This means that you never have to worry about manually setting the thermostat, giving you more time to focus on other chores around the house.
You’ll get detailed information about the status of your HVAC system. On older thermostat units, the only information on display for the homeowners to check is the temperature inside the house. Fortunately, plenty of advanced models offer all kinds of helpful information that’s relevant to the comfort and indoor air status in your home. These include reminders when it’s time to change your filter and alerts when cooling or heating systems are experiencing difficulties.
They have touchscreen technology. If you prefer working with touchscreens over manual dials, you’ll enjoy a thermostat upgrade. In this day and age, most of the popular thermostat units offer touchscreen displays, which look more contemporary and are easier to use than manual thermostats. And since touchscreen models provide direct navigation through physical touch, they’re less complicated to set up.
It works better with zoning systems. An HVAC zoning system allows for the creation of customized temperature zones throughout the house for increased comfort and energy efficiency. This means you don’t have to program the entire house to stay at one particular temperature, offering you greater flexibility. When you’re not blasting your heating or cooling system every second of the day, it’s going to last a lot longer, which can be a great investment that’ll last many, many years.
Zoning systems only function effectively with specific types of thermostats. If you’re opting for a zoning system installation instead of a regular air conditioning installation service, there’s a good chance you’ll need to install more than one thermostat in your home.
Benefits of Professional Installation
Fixing a faulty thermostat all by yourself and skipping all the phone calls and inspection visits may sound tempting when you’re in a jam and just want to get things done quickly. However, keep in mind that most issues with thermostats require sorting out complicated programming and dealing with electrical components of your heating and cooling system. There’s a possibility that you’ll encounter dead batteries, loose or corroded wires, blown fuses, tripped breakers and more — and unless you’re well equipped with pertinent knowledge and mechanical skills, it’s better to leave the repair or replacement of these components to the professionals.
Another important thing to consider is when you’re upgrading your thermostat from analog to digital, you should rely on a trained technician because your analog thermostat may contain mercury, which should be handled with the utmost care for safety reasons.
Contact Us Today for All Your Heating & Cooling Needs
Maintaining your central air conditioning unit is essential to ensuring comfort in your home. If you’re experiencing issues with your HVAC system or thermostat, look no further than Anthony’s Cooling-Heating-Electrical — a premier source of top-rated heating and air conditioning installation, repair and maintenance services in and around Palmetto and Sarasota, FL. Our trained, experienced technicians are committed to providing the safety and comfort that you deserve. Call us at (941) 347-0779 or fill out our contact form to set up a consultation.