10 Maintenance Tips to Avoid Thermostat Repair

You can delay or avoid thermostat repair with proper maintenance. A well-maintained thermostat generally lasts about 10 years. Although one of the least expensive HVAC components to replace, it’s crucial for reaching and sustaining optimal temperatures in your home.

A thermostat is wired directly to your heating and cooling system. It allows for the temperature to be adjusted and the system to be turned on and off manually or automatically. Therefore, thermostat maintenance should be part of your routine. These are some thermostat maintenance tips to keep it in top shape.

1. Check and Replace Thermostat Batteries Regularly

One of the simplest fixes for home thermostat problems is simply checking the batteries. A low battery reduces the amount of power available to your thermostat. This can make it inaccurate and less able to manage your comfort. To avoid these issues, replace the thermostat batteries every six months or as the manufacturer recommends.

Even if your thermostat is hardwired, it may have backup batteries. Change these to prevent disruptions in heating and cooling due to a wiring issue.

2. Keep the Thermostat Clean and Dust-Free

One of the best thermostat upkeep practices to get into the habit of is keeping the unit as clean as possible. A buildup of dirt and dust can prevent your thermostat from working properly. Cleaning it every few months can help you avoid HVAC performance issues due to controller malfunctions, and it gives you a chance to look inside and check for other signs you need thermostat repair. Here’s how to clean a thermostat:

• Step one: Snap off or unscrew the cover, depending on the model.
• Step two: Using a soft brush, dust off internal components.
• Step three: Use compressed air to clear debris from tight spaces.
• Step four: Look for loose or corroded wires and call an electrician to fix any issues.
• Step five: Clean the cover and place it back on the unit.

3. Test Your Thermostat Settings Monthly

Thermostat testing and calibration ensure that the system is accurately reading temperature, allowing it more control over your home’s HVAC systems. If the temperature keeps fluctuating, your energy bills are increasing, or causing HVAC thermostat issues like short cycling, your thermostat may need calibration.

To calibrate a thermostat, first test it by comparing its reading with a dependable thermometer. If the readings differ by more than 3ºF after 20 minutes, check the product manual for how to calibrate the unit. Calibration techniques differ based on the type and model of a thermostat.

4. Install the Thermostat in the Right Location

When people ask how to maintain a thermostat, one aspect that’s often overlooked is the placement. Constant exposure to high heat can damage a thermostat, so the unit should not be near a heat source, such as direct sunlight, a vent, or an appliance. To protect its integrity and accuracy, it should be mounted on an interior wall in or near a frequently used room. Excess heat can cause inaccurate readings, affect the cycling and efficiency of your HVAC system, and increase the likelihood you’ll need thermostat repair.

5. Seal and Insulate Around the Thermostat

Drafts and other temperature irregularities can throw off your thermostat settings. That’s why sealing and insulating the area around the thermostat is essential during installation. This ensures it gets an accurate reading of the temperature in the room instead of drafts inside your walls or elsewhere.

6. Update Thermostat Software (for Smart Models)

Smart thermostat maintenance has some unique considerations compared to standard models. You can often save yourself hours of digital thermostat troubleshooting simply by resetting and updating the software on your unit. Often, this resolves error codes and any other issues you’re facing.

7. Schedule Seasonal HVAC Tune-Ups

Don’t wait to see signs of thermostat failure to get help! By prioritizing proactive maintenance at least once a year, you’ll get ahead of potential problems while tuning up your HVAC systems at the same time, ensuring they’re ready to run smoothly all year.

8. Improve Indoor Air Quality to Support Thermostat Accuracy

Your indoor air quality has a surprising effect on your thermostat’s accuracy. Part of programmable thermostat care is ensuring the air in your home is clean enough to give an accurate temperature reading. Excess dust, debris, and humidity in your indoor air can prevent the sensors in your thermostat from working properly, which means an IAQ solution can help your HVAC systems run more reliably.

9. Upgrade to a Smart or Programmable Thermostat

Smart thermostats don’t just offer convenience — they save you as much as 10% a year on energy costs and even extend the lifespan of HVAC systems. These advanced systems offer far better reliability than traditional models, making them well worth the investment.

10. Know When to Call a Professional for Thermostat Help

If the above maintenance tips aren’t solving your thermostat troubles, it’s time to call an expert. Here at Trio, thermostat services are a daily job for us, and our team has the experience to troubleshoot even the toughest issues. Whether you have a smart thermostat or a conventional one, leave it to us to get it working as it should again.

Final Tip: Bundle Thermostat Service With Air Quality Upgrades

When you work with Trio Heating, Air and Plumbing, bundling thermostat maintenance with indoor air quality upgrades is an easy, affordable way to boost your home’s comfort across the board. Since thermostat service is usually a very quick job, it just makes sense to combine this with other services, such as duct cleaning, air sealing, air scrubber installation, or even putting in a whole-house air purifier.

Call to Action: Get Expert Thermostat Help From TRIO

We provide high-quality thermostat installation, repair, and maintenance in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, CA. Our licensed HVAC technicians can help no matter what type of thermostat repair you need. They can service manual, digital, programmable, and smart models. As part of our Protection Plan, thermostat maintenance is performed during your annual AC and heating system tune-up.

To learn more or book thermostat services for your home, contact us online or call (415) 223-5096.