It could be the death of winter, and while you may have tried to crank up the heat, it just doesn’t seem to be getting started. Perhaps it’s a scorching summer day, and the air conditioner isn’t turning on despite your best effort. While there could be an issue with your HVAC system making this weather unbearable, it could actually be as simple as an issue with your thermostat. Take a quick look at your thermostat and see if any of these difficulties are affecting you right now.
The thermostat is off or the batteries are dead.
There are a few reasons your thermostat’s screen is blank, and it can be as simple as switching on and off. Considering that we may not dwell too much on the thermostat, it could have very well been turned off by someone in your household without your knowledge. Accidents happen, so check to see if your blank thermostat screen is blank for that reason. If the thermostat is on and the screen is still blank, then it’s not getting any power at all.
If you have a battery-powered thermostat, check your battery compartment. It’s possible they could be dead. Licensed HVAC technicians recommend regularly changing those batteries as part of regular maintenance. Most experts recommend replacing the batteries in a thermostat the same as you would do a battery change for a smoke detector during daylight savings time.
Your circuit breaker needs resetting.
If you still can’t get your thermostat to have any screen display or kick the heat or A/C on, it’s possible that a tripped circuit breaker is to blame. A switch inside the electrical panel won’t align with the rest, so once the misaligned switch is back on, it should fix everything. If the HVAC unit is still not turning on, turn off the switches in your breaker linked to the HVAC equipment to better assess the program, temporarily disconnecting from the primary source of power.
You can remove the front plate depending on your type of thermostat to better inspect the wiring, or hire an HVAC technician to better assess your home’s thermostat. Loosen the thermostat body mounting screws with a screwdriver to assess this potential power loss. A technician can better assess your fuse box, as well as inspect the wiring on the base of the thermostat. This could be the result of a serious issue with wires that are either loose, cut, or corroded. Those wires should be clipped, stripped, and reattached to the terminal screws. You can then replace the thermostat body plate, and restore power to the circuit breaker panel.
The thermostat housing needs cleaning.
Your AC system needs to be cleaned out regularly to avoid any dust particles slowing down your system, or any contaminants from impacting your indoor air quality. The same is required of your thermostat. Dust buildup or gunk inside a thermostat can be at the center of these problems. Cleaning the inside of the thermostat with canned air can get rid of all of the dust and debris that is actually affecting the thermostat wires.
If the thermostat is getting electrical power but you’re still not seeing anything on your thermostat display, it could be time to replace your thermostat. Be sure to find a local trained HVAC technician to help you properly install your thermostat. Investing in a programmable thermostat can actually be a more energy-friendly solution for any future problems, while other digital thermostats are designed to be able to handle a power surge. This will lead to a quick fix if your circuit breaker trips again. Once installed, your home’s comfort will be back in your control.