When you own your home, it seems like there is always something that needs fixing. You just get the kitchen faucet to stop dripping and then you find a leak in the roof. These are pretty straight forward fixes and may require a profession depending on your home improvement comfort level. But what do you do when you notice your home isn’t heating up, or cooling off, to the temperature you want? We have put together some of the most common issues with thermostats that you can check on your own before calling a professional.
First you will want to check to see if your thermostat is clean. It’s not a likely place for people to clean regularly so this is a great place to start. Take the cover off first. This may mean you have to take out some screws, or it may just pop off. Use a soft brush, like a paint brush, to dust off any dirt or debris. You can check for loose wires or build up where the electronic components touch. If you do find loose wires, we recommend calling in a technician to deal with the electrical components.
If cleaning didn’t solve the problem, you will want to check your vents. If your furnace isn’t getting any air flow, it can’t heat your home. Look for furniture blocking vents and check each one to make sure it didn’t get closed on accident. When you are done checking your vents, go ahead and check your filter next. If you can’t remember the last time you changed your filter then it’s safe to say you need to change it. The build of dirt restricts the air flow, and we know what that does to your heat.
Lastly, you can check to see if your thermostat is calibrated correctly. Take a thermometer and tape it to the wall next to your thermostat. Check the temperature after about 20 minutes and see if they match. If the temperatures don’t match up, you will need to call Quigley and have a technician come and calibrate your thermostat.
This by no means is a comprehensive list of things that can go wrong but this is a good place to start, on your own, to identify what the problem may be. Checking thermostat operation is just one of the many services Quigley offers to our silver and platinum Q Club members. Starting at $15 a month, Q Club members get the peace of mind knowing that a trained technician looks for potential problems as he preforms semi-annual, or annual preventative maintenance on their HVAC system. There are many more benefits to being a Q Club member, and with 3 levels, there is one to fit your needs. Learn more here or call to learn more.
