How To Troubleshoot A Thermostat

If your heating and cooling system is not working, you need to know how to troubleshoot a thermostat. A thermostat can be the root of the problems you are experiencing. Thermostat issues are easy to troubleshoot and usually inexpensive to repair.

Things You Will Need: 

• Soft Cloth
• Digital Thermometer
• Screwdriver

1. The first step to troubleshoot a thermostat is to check the temperature in a room. Using a digital thermometer, check the temperature in any room. If the temperature is the same as it is on the thermostat, then you know the sensor on the thermostat is working. This is important to know in troubleshooting a thermostat because if the temperature is off, then you have quickly isolated your problem. You can simply replace the thermostat unit instead of the heating and cooling system.
2. After checking the room sensors, the next step to troubleshoot a thermostat is check the connections on the device. Using a screwdriver, remove the housing unit on the thermostat. When you remove the covering from the thermostat, check to see if any wires are corroded. If you notice corroded wires while troubleshooting the thermostat, contact a professional if you are inexperienced in electric work to replace the wires. You should also check to see if any wires are vibrating while the heating and cooling system are inactive. Vibrating wires are an indication that there is a connection issue.
3. Your final step to troubleshooting a thermostat is to clean the device. If your heating and cooling system is constantly turning off and on unexpectedly, your thermostat may be dirty. Using a cloth, wipe the housing for the thermostat and the wiring inside.  

If you are still experiencing issues with your thermostat, you may need to replace the unit completely. A professional can assist you in replacing a unit if necessary.