Your thermostat is likely to be the only piece of equipment in your heating system that you come into contact with every day. Although the thermostat is small, it is a vital component of your system, as it communicates that the temperature has dropped to the heating unit. Your system relies on the thermostat to determine when the heating needs to shut off or start up. Therefore, if your thermostat is malfunctioning, it can cause a number of problems.
Short Cycling:
One of the most common indicators of a malfunctioning thermostat is short cycling. This term is often used by professionals to describe when your HVAC system runs frequently or shuts off prematurely before the heating cycle completes. Short cycling is often a result of the thermostat being unable to gauge the temperature in the room and is sending faulty signals to the heating unit. Short cycling not only creates an uncomfortable environment but it can place a massive strain on your heating system. The frequent operation causes components to suffer from being overworked, compromising the lifespan of both the components and the system itself. Typically, replacing the faulty thermostat will correct short cycling.
Reduced or No Heating:
While a lack of heating can be the result of a number of issues, one of the first things a technician will check is to see if the thermostat is malfunctioning. The malfunction on the thermostat could be anything from human error, failing to change the program to heating mode through to a faulty component.
Thermostats tend to be very reliable, but occasionally you may find that it is displaying a different temperature to the actual room temperature. This difference would mean thermostat will be sending incorrect information to the heating unit. For example, if the temperature is registering that it is 5 degrees hotter than the room temperature, the heating may not come on at all or may be switched on for a short time and not adequately heat the room.
The display on your thermostat may also show no data at all. The chances are that this is merely a display problem, but being unable to see the thermostat data may affect how you can use the system. A professional technician would need to check the display and ensure that the thermostat is properly calibrated to deliver optimum performance.
Error Codes:
Another common fault with thermostats is the display of an error code. This error code often prevents you from accessing the thermostat settings. The specifics of the error code will depend on the particular error and the manufacturer details. The errors can range from basic issues such as a blocked filter to more complex problems such as loose wires or defective connections. The code may be displayed with a flashing light to alert your attention. In some cases, correcting the underlying problem allows the thermostat to be taken out of the safety mode and resume normal function. More serious issues may need the thermostat to be reset by a trained professional after any repairs have been made.