Thermostats
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Thermostats are ubiquitous in our everyday life: your home, your work, your car. While they may be different, they all have the same function in keeping the temperature consistent. In most cars, a thermostat is used to control a valve that regulates coolant to maintain an ideal engine temperature for fuel efficiency. Similarly, thermostats in HVAC control the AC system to maintain a given temperature in your home. Thermostats can be classified into 3 primary categories: Programable, Non-Programable, and Smart.
Non-Programable Thermostats
These thermostats fall into two types: mechanical and digital. Mechanical thermostats often make use of bimetallic strips. These are comprised of two different types of metal that expand and contract at different rates to detect changes in temperature. Bimetallic strips then move to either turn off or on your AC system depending on their setting and the temperature. Mechanical thermostats are cheaper than others and can be ideal for locations prone to power surges. Digital non-programmable operate on the same principle as mechanical thermostats, but use sensors to detect temperature changes. These thermostats are generally more expensive than their mechanical counterparts but have greater accuracy and respond to temperature changes better.
Programable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats have the same functionality as a digital non-programmable thermostat, but allow you to program the thermostat for different days or times of the day. For instance, you may be at work Monday through Friday and stay home on the weekends. You can set the thermostat higher during the day while at work and have the AC system turn on before you get home. Since your AC unit will run less throughout the day, you won’t put as much wear and tear on the system and save money on your energy bill.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are primarily defined by their ability to automatically adjust to your habits or, if there are other sensors in your house, be able to detect your presence and cool the rooms individually to maximize energy efficiency. These thermostats often have the same functionality as programmable thermostats, allowing you to program the thermostat for different days or times of the day. These are often more expensive than other thermostats, but can save you money in the long term with their energy efficiency. Some programable and smart thermostats have additional features such as wireless connectivity, allowing you to connect to your thermostat and adjust the temperature from your phone, tablet, or computer.
Troubleshooting issues with Thermostats
Thermostats can have a variety of common issues:
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The thermostat’s display is blank when it is powered on and / or does not turn on the AC when adjusted. It is a good idea to try changing the batteries and if issues still persist after changing the batteries, we would recommend scheduling with us to have one of our technicians review the issue.
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If your AC is not turning off or is not turning on despite switching it on or off from your thermostat, try changing the batteries. If the issue still persists it is possible there may be a wiring fault, defect, or similar. While changing the batteries, check for any dust. Dust can cause electrical shorts and has the potential to damage electrical components.
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If you notice the temperature is abnormally hotter or cooler than what you set your thermostat to, it might indicate that the thermostat is unable to accurately measure the room’s temperature. If the thermostat is located in the path of direct sunlight or similar, the thermostat could have an inaccurate reading. If the thermostat location is not the issue, you can place a working thermometer nearby to verify the thermostat is getting an accurate reading. If the thermostat is not getting an accurate reading, we would recommend scheduling with us to have one of our technicians review the issue.
Contact EzE Air Solutions if you suspect you may have an issue with your HVAC system in Southwest Florida.​