Are you dealing with a chilly house? Call Georgia Air Cooling & Heating at 912.513.3756 for fast and reliable repairs!
Thermostats allow us to adjust the indoor temperature no matter the outdoor weather. They keep us cool during the dog days of summer and heat our homes throughout the chilly winter months. However, when your thermostat breaks down, your home’s internal climate can quickly become miserable and unpleasant, making it near impossible to live comfortably.
Fortunately, the heating and cooling experts at Georgia Air put together a guide to teach you why your house is colder than the thermostat setting and how to resolve the issue.
Georgia Air is one of Georgetown’s most trusted heating and cooling companies. Our experienced technicians will have your thermostat functioning better than ever so you can stay comfortable and cozy regardless of the outside climate. If you need a no-nonsense Georgetown AC repair service that can handle all your heating and cooling needs at a price that fits your budget, look no further than Georgia Air.
Things to Check Before Contacting a Professional Heating Service
Dealing with a broken or faulty thermostat isn’t easy, especially if you don’t have professional experience. Many homeowners don’t know how to combat the situation, leaving their homes uncomfortable until a specialist arrives. However, you can take a few steps to diagnose a malfunctioning thermostat before calling a professional technician.
Below are a few things to check before contacting a technician when your house is colder than the thermostat setting.
Replace the Thermostat’s Batteries
Many thermostats utilize batteries that lose efficiency after a few months or years. If your thermostat reading doesn’t match your home’s internal climate, replace the batteries, and test the device to see if it resolves the issue.
Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
Air filters help purify your home’s indoor air by catching airborne pollutants before they reach your residence. However, they often become clogged over time, making it difficult for the furnace to heat your home efficiently. Replacing the air filter monthly or bi-monthly (depending on the model) can significantly improve the system’s effectiveness, keeping your home warm and cozy all winter long.
Check the Thermostat Settings
Power surges and other unforeseen events can sometimes change a thermostat’s settings, causing it to misread temperatures and inadequately heat your home. Always check the thermostat settings after a power surge or similar occurrence to ensure everything is at the correct level.
If you continue experiencing uneven temperatures after performing these tasks, contact Georgia Air for professional thermostat servicing.
Eight Reasons Why Your House Is Colder Than the Thermostat Setting
Thermostat efficiency drops for numerous reasons. Some issues are easy to fix, while others require professional repair. Below are some of the most common reasons your house is colder than the thermostat setting.
1. Broken Thermostat
Like most things, thermostats don’t last forever. They often lose efficiency over time and eventually break down entirely, leaving your home chilly and unpleasant.
An irregular power cycle is one of the most common indications of a broken thermostat. If the thermostat turns your heater on and off sporadically, it could be on its last leg. An irregular power cycle can also skyrocket your monthly energy payments, worsening the situation.
Thermostats also become unresponsive when they break down and won’t power off or on correctly. If you encounter any of the above thermostat issues, contact a Georgia Air technician for swift and efficient repair services.
2. Outdoor Unit Issues
Thermostats work hand in hand with your heater and air conditioner to keep your home comfortable year-round. However, uneven room temperatures don’t always indicate a faulty thermostat. Sometimes HVAC units break down and lose efficiency, drastically reducing your indoor comfort.
HVAC systems are complex machines that often require professional servicing. You shouldn’t attempt to repair the unit unless you have professional training. Always contact an HVAC specialist if you suspect your heating and cooling system isn’t working correctly.
3. Inadequate Installation
Many older homes suffer from poor insulation and struggle to retain heat during freezing weather. Poor insulation also requires your heater to work harder to maintain your preferred indoor temperature, putting immense stress on the unit while increasing your monthly energy bills. Upgrading your home’s insulation will improve heat retention and allow your heater to warm your home more effectively without wasting power.
If you believe you have a poorly insulated home, touch the walls, ceilings, and floor to check your residence’s heat retention levels. If they feel cold and damp during winter, you probably need to enhance your home’s insulation. However, if they are dry and warm, you have a well-insulated home.
4. Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts transport warm air from your HVAC unit and evenly distribute it throughout your home. However, damaged ductwork can cause them to leak heat before the air reaches your residence.
Holes and gaps within ductwork are often hard to spot without professional training, especially if the ductwork runs through your home’s basement, attic, or crawlspace. You can use a flashlight to help identify hard-to-find leaks within your ductwork. Additionally, rust typically forms around duct leaks, so keep an eye out for rusting within your ductwork.
5. Wrong Sized Furnace
An incorrectly sized furnace can cause numerous residential heating issues ranging from insufficient heating to inaccurate thermostat readings. Oversized furnaces can warm your home faster than your thermostat can read, causing it to display incorrect temperatures. Conversely, undersized furnaces aren’t strong enough to heat large homes efficiently, resulting in uneven room temperatures, inadequate heating, and more.
Your home’s size dictates your furnace’s strength and magnitude. Large homes require more powerful furnaces since the unit must warm multiple rooms evenly. It’s best to contact a heating and cooling professional if you suspect you have an incorrectly sized furnace.
A specialist will evaluate your furnace and ensure it can warm your home adequately. If the furnace isn’t the correct size, your technician will help you find the perfect furnace for your residence.
6. Thermostat Location
Your thermostat’s location is more important than you might think. It must install in a place that accurately represents your home’s internal temperature. Placing a thermostat in an overly hot or cold room will cause incorrect temperature readings, inadequate heating, unnecessary power cycles, and more.
For example, installing a thermostat in an enclosed room too close to a furnace will likely cause the device to detect the heat before it reaches other rooms, causing inaccurate temperature readings. Placing a thermostat in an overly sunny room can cause a similar problem since the sunlight will heat the room faster than other parts of the house.
Always install your thermostat in a room that accurately depicts your home’s overall temperature to ensure accurate readings and even heat distribution.
7. Dirty or Unmaintained Thermostat
Dust, dirt, and grime can accumulate under your thermostat’s faceplate over time, causing its temperature sensors to lose efficiency or malfunction. Removing the faceplate and gently cleaning the internal components can improve the sensors and the device’s overall performance. Use compressed air and a soft rag to remove debris from the thermostat and restore it to its optimal state.
Sometimes, internal components break or become loose in older thermostats, hindering their performance. Securing and tightening loose parts will keep your thermostat in tip-top shape and help you heat your home more effectively. However, you should only perform these repairs if you have the proper experience.
Contacting a professional heating and cooling company for regular maintenance is one of the best ways to prevent thermostat issues and ensure optimal performance. A Georgia Air technician will replace faulty thermostat sensors and wiring, allowing you to stay warm during the frigid winter months.
8. Outdated Thermostat
Many old thermostats use outdated technology to interpret indoor temperatures. Some even use a mercury gauge that can tilt and inaccurately read internal climates, making you feel like your house is colder than the thermostat setting. Upgrading to a newer, more advanced thermostat will provide more precise temperature readings, improve efficiency, and even save you money.
There are numerous modern thermostats available that can improve your home’s comfort level. For example, programmable thermostats are exceedingly accurate and allow you to schedule temperature changes throughout the day, while smart thermostats give you complete control through an easy-to-use mobile app. If you have an outdated thermostat, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart model to get the most out of your heating and air conditioning system.
Contact Georgia Air for First-class Thermostat Repair, Maintenance, and Installation Services in Georgetown, GA
Georgia Air is Georgetown, GA’s number one choice for thermostat repair, maintenance, and installation services. Our team has extensive experience fixing and maintaining all leading thermostat makes and models, qualifying us for any repair project you throw our way. If you believe your house is colder than the thermostat setting, contact Georgia Air for premium servicing without the premium prices.
Whether you need professional thermostat repair or want to learn how often to service your HVAC, Georgia Air is always here for you.
Give Georgia Air Cooling & Heating a call at 912.513.3756 and schedule your appointment today!