Living in Nevada can mean brutal summer heat. In times like this, your air conditioner and thermostat need to work reliably. If there is an issue, you need to know how to resolve it quickly.
If you come home to a thermostat that won’t turn on, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot and resolve the issue on your own. If you aren’t comfortable fixing it yourself, you can always call a reliable Nevada air conditioning service. At Ambient Edge, we understand that sometimes, it can’t wait and offer 24/7 emergency services when needed.
Understanding Your Thermostat
Before troubleshooting, it’s essential to understand the basics of your system. Your thermostat acts as the control panel for your air conditioning. It can detect the house’s temperature and adjust the unit’s activity accordingly to keep the area at the set temperature. There are three types of thermostats commonly on the market.
Manual Thermostat
A manual thermostat is a very accessible option. It is relatively cheap to purchase and very user-friendly. A major drawback is that it is not as convenient to use and is not great for saving energy.
Programable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats are still relatively cost-effective to purchase. Compared to a manual thermostat, they allow you to program the temperatures ahead of time, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to turn the thermostat up or down. While these can add to energy efficiency, they require you to be at your thermostat to adjust temperatures physically.
Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is a great energy-efficient option, and you can obtain one at a reasonable price range. These thermostats connect to Wi-Fi, allowing you to access them from your phone or device. Additionally, they can use the temperatures outside to work more efficiently.
Common Problems with Your Thermostat
The first step to troubleshooting what is wrong with your thermostat is to determine which of the three types you have. Beyond that, you should always double-check to make sure it is on. If you can confirm that the switch is on, go ahead and turn it off for 10 seconds to allow the power to cycle, and turn it back on again.
Dead Batteries
If you are confident that the thermostat switch is set to on but you are not getting power to it, the next step will be to check the batteries. Batteries should be replaced every eight to twelve months to be on the safe side. When you open the battery compartment, checking for corrosion or anything that doesn’t look normal never hurts.
The battery compartment is typically found behind the face of the thermostat. There are typically indicators of where to push to take the face-off. You can consult your manual if you are having trouble determining where the batteries are.
Tripped Breaker
Sometimes, the thermostat is attached to the same circuit as other devices in the home, which may cause it to trip. To solve this issue, you will need to locate your breaker box and confirm that the switch has not been tripped. If you see that one of them has flipped, you can reset it and try your thermostat again.
Blown Fuse
If the batteries are fine and there are no flipped breaker switches, you may want to check to see if the thermostat has blown a fuse. How to do this will vary depending on the model, but you may be able to find the information on how to do this in your manual. If you are unable to locate what is needed, you can call us at Ambient Edge and we can assist you with identifying and solving the problem.
Wiring Issues
If you recently installed the thermostat or have recently done wiring, wiring issues may be the culprit. If you are comfortable removing the thermostat from the wall, this may give you a general idea of what is happening. You will be checking for any frayed or severed wires.
Wiring issues can be intimidating and dangerous to investigate on your own. If you are uncertain how to proceed, call us for assistance. If the source of the issue is the thermostat, we may be able to assist in repair or replacement, or we can help determine if it is a more significant issue that may need the help of an electrician.
Incompatible Parts
Compatibility may be an issue if you recently replaced the HVAC system or the thermostat. You should check the manuals for the HVAC and the thermostat to ensure they are compatible. This typically will not be an issue with a manual thermostat.
Thermostat Is Dead
If you have checked into all of the above issues and are still unable to get the thermostat to turn on, it may be time to replace it. If your thermostat is only a few years old, it may be worth seeing if it is under any manufacturer’s warranty. If you feel it should not be time to replace, call us out, and we can troubleshoot any other issues.
If you must replace the thermostat, this is an excellent opportunity to upgrade to a more energy-efficient system. The Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) suggests finding smart thermostats that are Energy Star certified. These thermostats may cost more upfront but can save you time and money in the long run.
Call a Professional
If you have successfully found the problem with your thermostat, great job! We will be here if you need us. Whether it is a bigger issue or just regular maintenance, we are happy to help.
If you have gone through this list without success, don’t panic, but it may be time to call a professional.
You can reach out to us at any time to schedule an appointment. This can be done online or by phone. When we come out, we can assess what needs to happen to get your thermostat running and keep you out of the Nevada heat.