We talk a lot about your air conditioner going bad, but did you also know that the air conditioner’s thermostat can go bad? Service 1st Pros advises that these tiny units can have limited life spans. Depending on the type of thermostat you have, the average lifespan is about 10 years. Here are signs that your AC’s thermostat is going bad.
Turning On/Off or Short-Cycling
The thermostat communicates with your air conditioner to let it know what the temperature is inside of the house. When the house needs to be cooled down, the air conditioner turns on. When the house needs to be warmed up, the furnace turns on. If the unit keeps turning on and off sporadically, this is a sign that there is a problem with the thermostat. Short-cycling is also an indication that you have a problem with the thermostat. Short-cycling is when the AC turns off before the desired temperature is reached.
Incorrect Temperature Readings
Another sign that your thermostat is going bad is incorrect temperature readings on the unit. This can be a subtle sign at first because if the reading is only slightly off, you may not realize that it is incorrect. You may not notice a problem until such time as the readings are way off.
Energy Bill Increase
You generally know how much you can expect to pay on your energy bill each month. In the summer, this bill increases because you are using your air conditioner more often. If the bill increases significantly, however, with no discernible explanation, it’s possible that your thermostat is faulty and is cycling the air conditioner on too much.
Shifting Temperatures
Another issue can be difficulty maintaining a consistent temperature in your home. You may notice that temperatures shift constantly and this can be due to a faulty thermostat. What is actually going on is the thermostat is changing the temperature settings itself. Keep an eye on your thermostat and if you notice that it is not maintaining your settings, it’s time to replace it.
No Response
Finally, a faulty thermostat will not respond when you change the settings. In fact, if you suspect that your thermostat is going bad, reduce the temperature to see if it triggers the air conditioner to turn on. If it doesn’t, this is definitely a sign that your thermostat needs to be replaced.
Service 1st Pros in Auburn, GA, can replace your thermostat if it needs it. We’d also be happy to test it if you suspect it is going bad. Call us today to set up an appointment.