Broken HVAC Thermostat: Should You Repair or Replace It?

Tech adjusting a HVAC thermostat

When an HVAC system has been in use for years at a time, the thermostat will begin to undergo typical wear-and-tear, potentially leading to overall AC and heating systems malfunctioning. Luckily, the thermostat is the only component of the HVAC system that homeowners interact with on a day-to-day basis—unless, of course, they are a technician themselves. Therefore, is common for homeowners to quickly discover any problems before any lasting damages occur.

However, if your HVAC thermostat begins to malfunction, you will need to decide whether you should repair or replace it. To help you save some money and avoid a total replacement, we at Service Patriots have listed several scenarios in which your thermostat can be restored to working order. Read these simple servicing techniques, as well as signs you should consider replacing the thermostat when repairs do not suffice.

Unresponsive Thermostat

There are a number of reasons why your thermostat may be unresponsive. Moreover, most of them do not warrant a total replacement. 

When unable to adjust the temperature setting due to the display screen being unlit, it is very likely that you simply need a new set of batteries. Simply swap the dead batteries for new ones. More often than not, doing this will fix the issue. Therefore, there will be no need of buying a new thermostat. 

However, if your thermostat is still unresponsive, go ahead and contact your servicing team. They will assess the issue and provide options for repair or replacement. 

Rapid Cycling

Sometimes, a wire within the HVAC thermostat is faulty and results in rapid cycling of the HVAC system. In other words, the system turns on and off randomly without going through a full cycle, which should only be complete when the temperature of the room reaches the temperature that was set on the thermostat. If you experience this issue, you’ll need to call your servicing team. They will send a technician to your location to repair the damaged wire in minimum time.

HVAC Fails to Cycle Off

When your thermostat fails to alert the HVAC system to cycle off, homeowners could potentially end up with further damages to their system as well as costly repairs. Damages are caused by the system being overworked without the proper amount of time to cool down. Furthermore, the price of electricity will also skyrocket. Similar to rapid cycling, faulty wiring can cause a thermostat’s failure to cycle off. Fortunately, your HVAC techs can help you with any faulty wiring issues. 

When It’s Time for a Replacement

The scenarios listed above typically do not require a complete thermostat replacement; however, there are times when it is simply more practical to replace the entire thermostat rather than continue undergoing repairs. If your thermostat is mechanical and contains wires that are no longer in use by your servicing company, then it is best to go ahead and upgrade your system. Luckily, many benefits come with upgrades, such as energy-saving capabilities, display interfaces that are more user-friendly, and WiFi-connected thermostats that allow homeowners to control the climate of their homes from anywhere in the world. 

Service Patriots

Though your heating and cooling thermostat may not function as it did when first installed, there are several repair and replacement options our expert technicians can conduct to quickly get your HVAC system back in business. 

At our company, system installations and HVAC repairs are our specialties. Likewise, there is no job that our team cannot handle. For more information about our products and services, contact us today.

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