HVAC Problems Due To an Old Thermostat
HVAC Problems Due To an Old Thermostat
Did you know that an old thermostat can affect the performance of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system? A thermostat is like the brain of your HVAC system. Temperature settings tell your air conditioner or furnace when to power up and switch off. Fan settings tell the system how long and fast the fan should run. Both temperature and fan speed affect comfort. Here are a few symptoms that may indicate the temperature sensor has problems.
Temperature Swings
If you have an old device, chances are it is mechanical, made of two strips of metal that expand and contract as they heat and cool. They vary in accuracy, often giving temperature readings that can vary by 5 degrees F. During the hottest times of the day, this can affect comfort. In contrast, smart thermostats use digital sensors that are more accurate. You can control settings on your HVAC system remotely and monitor humidity, temperature and energy use in real time.
If your device is powered by batteries, temperature swings may indicate low batteries. Most battery-powered devices have a sensor that tells you when batteries should be replaced. If the batteries fail, the AC will not turn on until you replace them.
High Energy Bills
The inability to accurately control the temperature can cause your system to run longer, which can affect performance and shorten the service life of the air conditioner. Programmable devices let you coordinate temperature settings with your daily activities. Although you can manually reset temperatures on mechanical models, it is easy to forget to readjust them. Smart thermostats do this automatically. Some sense when you are away from home and automatically adjust so that you do not have to remember to do it.
