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Your thermostat is your line of communication with your HVAC system. Without it working properly, you are not able to count on home being comfortable for you when you need it to be. As with anything, a thermostat will eventually need to be upgraded.
Here are some signs that it’s time to upgrade to a new thermostat.
1. HVAC Turns on and Off
If your HVAC keeps turning on and off independent of how you set it and it has stopped taking prompts from the thermostat, this is a sign that your thermostat is having a problem. Often, this is due to the wiring inside your thermostat having become frayed or damaged. When this happens, the connection to the HVAC is compromised. A professional HVAC technician can take a look at the unit for you and determine if the thermostat needs a replacement or if it would make more sense to have an upgrade.
2. Thermostat Is Providing Faulty Readings
Proper thermostat readings are necessary to make sure that your household gets neither too hot nor too cold. If you suspect that your thermostat is providing incorrect temperatures, then it may be time to upgrade to a new thermostat.
One way to identify if this is happening is to test the reading of the thermostat against the indoor temperature readings you get from a portable indoor thermometer. There could be some minor variance, but if you are getting readouts that are outside of a logical range, this is a clear sign that your thermostat sensor is malfunctioning. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Some of these include old age, misuse, or a manufacturing defect. Consult a professional about whether a replacement or an upgrade makes the most sense for you.
3. An Increase in Energy Bills
Oftentimes, an increase in our energy bills can be due to a change of season that leads us to run our HVAC system more than typical. Other things can be a cause of the increase, such as the purchase of a new appliance that uses a lot of energy. It is also possible that your HVAC system is running less efficiently than normal due to a dirty air filter or another easily identifiable issue. If there is no clear reason as to why you are having a sudden increase in energy bills, your thermostat could be the culprit.
When a thermostat is not reading the temperature correctly, it forces the HVAC system to overwork. This, in turn, can lead to an increase in your energy bill. Have a professional look at your system to identify if the thermostat being faulty could be a factor in your energy bill increasing.
4. Constant Temperature Shifts
If you notice that your thermostat is constantly changing temperature settings without any warning, this is an indication that it has become faulty. One way to determine if this is indeed happening is to lower the temperature of your thermostat a few degrees and monitor what happens. If the problem continues, then a technician should look at your thermostat to assess if it should be replaced or if you should upgrade.
5. Thermostat Has Gotten Old
One reason to consider an upgrade is if your thermostat has been the same one for 10 years or more. A decade is the typical lifespan of a thermostat, so if your current one exceeds that age, it is time to look at new models.
6. Display Has Become Hard to Read
An important reason to consider upgrading to a new thermostat is if the display has become difficult for you to read. This could be due to small numbers being difficult to see as we age or just that the thermostat display has worn down over time. If you want to continue using a manual thermostat, you can upgrade to one that has large and easy-to-read numbers on its dial. Many programmable and non-programmable digital thermostats have numbers that are an inch high, which eliminates the need for squinting every time you want to adjust your indoor temperature. Smart thermostats also have easy-to-read displays.
7. No Response to Changed Settings
When you make adjustments to your temperature settings, your thermostat should respond promptly. Generally, you will hear clicking sounds, and your HVAC system will immediately kick into gear. If your HVAC system doesn’t start up right away, it could be the system itself, or it could mean that it’s time to replace or upgrade your thermostat.
8. Mobility Issues
If getting around has become more difficult for you lately, it can be a pain to have to get up and walk over to the thermostat when you need to adjust the temperature. If you have severe mobility issues, doing so can even become unsafe. This is a clear sign that it’s time to upgrade your thermostat. With a smart thermostat, you can make adjustments to the temperature by means of an app on your phone or mobile device. Some models of smart thermostats even have dedicated remote controls, as do some newer non-smart versions. There is also the possibility of controlling your thermostat by simply using voice commands. Upgrading to a modern thermostat with these types of capabilities can greatly improve the quality of life for someone with mobility issues.
9. When a Practical and Convenient Lifestyle Solution Is Needed
Life gets busier all the time. We can make plans to do things like remember to turn the air conditioning down when heading to work in order to save money, but it is easy to forget when there are a hundred other things to think about before heading out the door. If you have taken on a new job that has you doing a lot of traveling, remembering to adjust your HVAC settings every time you are headed out of town can be a major burden. Upgrading to a smart thermostat can simply be a practical and convenient solution for many customers. A smart thermostat comes with a variety of features and benefits that can help take some of the stress out of everyday life. If life in the modern world is making staying on top of the proper temperature settings for your home problematic, this is a major sign that it is time to consider a thermostat upgrade.
Speak to a Professional About Upgrading Your Thermostat
If you are in Chatham, NJ or the surrounding area, we would love to speak to you about upgrading your thermostat. At Pipe Works Services, we have been serving the Northern Jersey community for over 20 years. It is our passion to make sure that all of our customers have a home that is a healthy and comfortable space for them. We do this by making sure to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction as well as fast responses and effective service. We even offer 24/7 emergency service since it is often the case that HVAC needs arise outside of normal business hours. At Pipe Works Services, we aim to be your go-to for all of your HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and home insulation needs. If you are ready to look into what thermostat upgrade options are available, give us a call today.
