Thermostats help control the temperature inside an entire living space. Typically, thermostats are reliable, but they can run into problems. If your Charlotte HVAC system is running too much, starting and stopping or operating at the wrong times of the day, it is most likely a faulty thermostat. This is a common problem with AC systems.

Home Guide states:

“The thermostat controls both the heating and cooling systems of homes with central heat and air conditioning, and just the furnace in homes without air. The thermostat detects the temperature of the room and compares it to the desired temperature setting. If the room is too warm or too cold, the thermostat requests heat or air depending on the season. “

Here are a few symptoms that indicate the thermostat is going bad:

Thermostat Failing to Sense Room’s Temperature

A malfunctioning thermostat often results in uncomfortable fluctuations in room temperature. The room may be too cold one minute, and then feel hot the next. The thermostat is failing to sense the room’s temperature, or it is feeding incorrect information to the HVAC system regarding cycling times. To determine whether the thermostat has failed, shut down power to the HVAC system, and then push the thermostat’s fan switch from “Auto” to “Run.” Make sure that the settings on the thermostat are as set correctly. Make sure it is set to “AC” then set the thermostat at least 5 degrees higher than your normal setting. Check that the system comes on. If it doesn’t, but the fan continues to run, there may be malfunction with your thermostat

AC Thermostat Isn’t Calibrated

Analyze the times when the air conditioning goes on and off with previous weeks. If you aren’t in the middle of a change in season, this may be a sign that the temperature readings are off. The thermostat might not be calibrated correctly, so it can’t accurately measure a room’s temperature and adjust the system’s function accordingly.

Electronic Models

On electronic models, verify to see if the display is operational. If it is dark or not working, there is most likely a problem with the power supply. Try flipping the breaker or replacing the batteries in the electronic thermostat.

Placement of Your Thermostat is Critical

In several instances, thermostats installed in the wrong places can also cause trouble. If your thermostat is in direct sunlight, you run the chance of getting inaccurate readings. The thermostat registers the temperature of your home (specifically the room in which it is placed) and uses that information to kick on the AC system. If the thermostat is located near a skylight or heated by direct sunlight, it cannot determine if the room is warmer that it actually feels. These false readings can also cause your air conditioner to waste energy by turning on and off unnecessarily.

Thermostats do wear out. If you determine that your thermostat isn’t functioning properly, and the simple adjustments or checks are not solving the problem, call Patterson Heating and Air for more specific troubleshooting steps for your thermostat involved. It may need a repair or it may be time to upgrade to a more efficient model. Call Patterson Heating and Air at (704) 288-4535 to get the best thermostat for your system, so your AC unit will operate as it should.

(Source: How to tell if your Home Thermostat is Bad, SFGate)