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5 Ways to Protect Your Thermostat & HVAC Unit

The HVAC unit(s) in your home are mostly controlled by the thermostat which can make keeping the house at a comfortable temperature, no matter what time of year, as easy as a push of a button or turn of a knob. But did you know there are 5 common problems that could impact the effectiveness of your thermostat? And if these problems go unnoticed, your HVAC unit will not be working efficiently or correctly. Both of which will mean unexpected, and oftentimes unnecessary, expenses.

 

To protect the comfort of your home, and your wallet, check out the list of 5 ways you can get the most out of your thermostat & protect your HVAC unit.

 

  1. AGE

The age of the thermostat matters. Over time, older units will struggle to maintain the desired temperature in the home. Which means they will be taxing to your HVAC unit. Not only that, the current programmable technology available in newer thermostats can help both aesthetically improve the walls of your Claremont home and help simplify the heating and cooling schedule to fit your needs while being as energy efficient as possible.

 

      2. INSTALLATION

It can be difficult to install a new thermostat, especially with the complex need to make the thermostat level. Traditional mercury bulb thermostats will not function properly if they are not level. Without it working properly means the home is not at the desired temperature or it’s wasting energy and straining the HVAC unit itself.

 

And while installing a thermostat might seem simple and easy for a homeowner to do, we recommend you call our team of experts at Accurate Electric, Heating, Plumbing & Air to ensure it’s done correctly. Entrusting the thermostat installation to the experts means your unit will be set up to keep you and your family comfortable inside no matter the temperature outside.

 

      3.  DUST

Dust accumulates all over the house – and can even get into the thermostat itself. This means the thermostat won’t be able to function properly. If you don’t know how to clean the internal components of your unit, then make sure to reach out to professionals that perform cooling and heating services in Claremont.

 

      4. WIRING

Loose wires are another cause for a thermostat to not work properly. This could happen over time with an older thermostat, or because of a poor installation job. How do you know if you have loose wires? The unit is powering on and off without anyone touching it. Don’t wait too long to fix this as an electrical fire may occur. And, best to not solve this one on your own as you will want to ensure an electrician handles it. (May we suggest our trained & certified electricians at Accurate Electric Plumbing Heating and Air?)

 

      5. TEMPERATURE RANGE

You don’t want your thermostat to be set too high in the winter or too low in the summer. Doing so puts more strain on your HVAC unit and therefore runs up your electricity bill. 

 

When it’s hot outside, aim to set it between 75°F and 78°F; keeping in mind that every degree you raise the thermostat can result in a 5 percent savings in cooling costs. Then when it’s cold outside, aim for 68°F during the day and lower it to 60°F at night.  You will save about 3 percent of heating costs for every degree you reduce the temperature below 70°F.

 

Replacing an old or damaged thermostat, and doing so correctly might cost you anywhere from $15 – $300 for the unit itself, plus the fee of having an expert. Remember that doing so and having a functional thermostat protects the bigger investment within your home; the HVAC unit. This can end up saving you thousands of dollars and ensure comfortable days and nights in your home.