The most frequently used components of an HVAC system are thermostats as we use it on a daily basis to adjust temperature according to our comfort level. They help in turning on and off your HVAC system, and also allow you to set for long it runs, and when it should shut off automatically when a certain temperature is maintained inside the home. Practically, the thermostat is the only part that you come in contact with to control the HVAC system.
If you own a house and have been living in it for several years, you would know how regularly the HVAC system encounters technical problems. It has many components that undergo constant wear due to operating under pressure. Being one of the important parts of an HVAC system, if thermostat is not installed and used properly, it can lead to several complications that decline the overall efficiency. This can be a nuisance especially in the winter months when you’re counting on your HVAC system to keep you warm.
Why Thermostats Are Important
The job of a thermostat is quite straightforward. First, it detects the temperature of the room it is installed in, and then decides whether it should turn on or off the HVAC system. If the temperature is not maintained to the set value on the thermostat, it will activate the system and allow it to work until that temperature is achieved. After that, it shuts off the HVAC system and continues to monitor the temperature in your home.
If the thermostat stops working, it can cause a lot of issues for you. For starters, you won’t be able to control the temperature as you wish. Moreover, if it is not properly calibrated, it will detect wrong temperature and it might become too warm or too cold. It can even cause the HVAC system to turn off if there are faults in its wiring.
According to the US Department of Energy, you can save about 15 percent on your energy bills by smartly using your thermostat. The best temperature range is from 10 to 15 degrees for 6 to 8 hours. However, you will need a programmable thermostat for this purpose. Unfortunately, most people find it difficult to fully understand programmable thermostats, and sometimes they are not installed correctly. So make sure that you ask the HVAC professional about how to smartly manage the temperature in your home to cut back on the energy bills.
Different Types Of Thermostats
There are several types of thermostat available in the market. They range from modern, touch screen thermostats to mechanical ones with a digital dial and buttons for adjusting the temperature. Nowadays, touch screen thermostats are quite popular because they have several sensors that are for remote, outdoor, and indoor settings. Some of them also have password protection and humidification control features.
Another great option is programmable thermostats that are highly energy efficient and maximize savings on energy bills without affecting the comfort level in your home in any way. You can program them to alter the temperature at different times of the day, and even program them for the entire week. They allow you to set when you want to turn off or on the HVAC system, enabling you to save energy when you are not at home.
You can choose from a wide range of options for setting the programmable thermostat. You can either set different settings for all seven days of the week or choose the same setting for each day. In addition, you can set based on the five-two day principle, meaning that you can choose different settings for weekends and weekdays. Most programmable thermostats have LCD displays with touch screen functionality.
The Best Location To Install The Thermostat
The location where you install the thermostat in the room is very important, as it directly affects the efficiency of your HVAC system. You should install it on an interior wall of the room, where no sunlight or bright lights fall on it. It should be placed away from doors, windows, and any other cooling or venting units. If you want to have a common thermostat for all rooms, place it in the hallway where it can easily monitor and regulate temperature of all the areas of your home.
It is not recommended to install it near any cooling or heating components because it will result in shorter system cycles. The HVAC system will start and stop frequently after short intervals, which will affect its life and efficiency.
How You Can Maintain It?
Make sure that you have it checked whenever you call an HVAC expert for the maintenance of the entire system. Ask them to check its calibration, and test-run it to ensure that the thermostat is working properly. A thermostat is like the brain of an HVAC system, and if it is not working fine, then all the other component won’t as well. Worse, it the thermostat breaks down, you will be left to the mercy of the outside weather.
How To Know If It’s Really Broken?
One of the easiest ways to check whether your thermostat is broken is to set it 5 degrees lower (in summers) or 5 degrees higher (in winters). After a few seconds, you will hear a click sound, indicating that your HVAC system has switched to the current value set on the thermostat. If you don’t hear the sound, you should call an HVAC professional to have a look at it.
You can try and fix it yourself as well. If you have an electronic thermostat, replace it batteries with new ones. For a mechanical thermostat, remove its cover and clean it with a brush, as sometimes a little dust makes them rusty. You may also check its wiring by removing its cover and seeing whether all the wires are firmly attached to their respective screws.