Did you know heating bills are half the average household’s annual energy costs?
The thermostat gives you control over the temperature in your home. unfortunately, many homeowners don’t know how their thermostats function, making it easy for them to make a few costly mistakes.
Regrettably, your monthly energy bill frequently reflects these errors. To cut expenses and properly heat your home, you must avoid these thermostat mistakes.
Are you wondering what these mistakes are? Here they are as given by furnace service providers:
Trying to heat your house too fast
Everybody has been there. It’s super cold when you return home. You crank up your thermostat, hoping your house will heat up soon, but this doesn’t happen.
This is because the thermostat does not operate as quickly as you want due to its design. The thermostat is designed to run smoothly.
No matter how high you set the thermostat, your heating system will run at maximum capacity until the appropriate temperature is reached.
When you set the thermostat higher than necessary, your system will have to work harder for a longer period, increasing the amount of money you pay on your energy bill each month.
In addition to creating uneven heating and having a high energy bill, heating your home too soon might make your living area uncomfortable.
To avoid this, set a comfortable, moderate temperature and let your heating system run continuously.
You can also make use of a programmable thermostat. When you wake up or come home in the evening, you may preset your thermostat to turn up the temperature just before you need it. This will guarantee that your house will be toasty when you need heat.
Adjusting your thermostat too often
In the same way that driving too much wears down your brake pads, tampering with your thermostat repeatedly causes needless damage to your heating system.
Your unit’s components may wear out more quickly than they should, requiring costly repairs or a complete replacement.
When you’re at home, choose a comfortable temperature and stick with it rather than adjusting the thermostat every time you feel hot or cold.
You should get a programmable thermostat if you need to change the temperature too often. This thermostat makes it easy to adjust the temperature to coincide with your daily schedule.
You can set it to drop the temperature at night or while you’re not home, then increase it in the evening or when you are about to enter the house.
Remember that when you maintain a constant thermostat setting, you avoid wear and tear and create a comfortable living space while cutting down on energy use and energy expenditures.
Ignoring the thermostat
Many homeowners ignore their thermostats until it’s too late. This is wrong, as improper use can result in several hazards, such as higher energy expenses, discomfort, and possible safety problems.
A clear sign that your thermostat is faulty is the different temperatures in the house. A defective thermostat may result in erratic on/off cycles for the HVAC system. As a result, rooms closest to the HVAC system receive more hot air, while those farthest from it receive very little.
A continuously running furnace is also a sign of a faulty thermostat. The thermostat’s wiring may malfunction if the furnace runs constantly and doesn’t shut off when the appropriate temperature is achieved.
In most cases, this happens when you have a miscalibrated thermostat, which would give the wrong signals to the heating unit.
To avoid being caught by surprise when your appliance stops working or misbehaves, you should make it a habit to inspect it regularly. As a rule of thumb, check the unit and replace the batteries if necessary.
You also should clean the unit. When doing it, clear the area surrounding and inside the thermostat housing of any dust or dirt.
This will guard against harm to the electrical and mechanical parts. As a rule of thumb, never use water to clean the interior of the cover; instead, use a tiny brush and a dry cloth.
Besides giving it some attention, let a professional address it, especially when they are coming to tune up the rest of the heating system.
Obstructing the thermostat
You should locate your thermostat where it can accurately sense and control the house’s temperature. When your thermostat is obstructed by furniture, curtains, and other materials, you tend to create a microclimate around it.
As a result, the temperature on the thermostat may differ from the real temperature in your living area. Due to this, the heating system fails to function as well as it should, which causes pain and wasteful energy use.
The equipment also tends to wear out fast due to the heating system’s continuous cycling brought on by erroneous temperature measurements. This may result in more frequent maintenance or repair expenses and a shorter heating system lifespan.
To avoid this, ensure that the area around the thermostat is clear of any obstructive materials. Ensure that nothing, such as furniture, curtains, or objects, obscures the thermostat.
You also should be cautious where you install the thermostat. Place the thermostat in the center of the house, away from heat sources, drafts, and direct sunshine. This will enable it to detect the temperature in your living area more precisely.
Remember that your home will be more comfortable and economical if your heating system runs well, and this can be achieved by maintaining your thermostat clear of obstructions and in the right place.
Parting shot
These are some of the thermostat mistakes you should avoid making. For your heating system to continue functioning optimally, ensure your thermostat is properly situated and maintained.
Work closely with heating service repair Port Jefferson professionals to confirm that your unit is in shape. When you notice a problem, regardless of how small it is, fix it immediately.