As the hot dog days of summer roll into Alabama, the last thing you want is for that heat to linger in your home.

Not only are uncomfortable temperatures in your home frustrating, but a bad AC thermostat can also cause you to lose money on heating and cooling. Heating and cooling expenses account for about 48% of your energy costs and only rise with a faulty HVAC system.

Are you noticing irregular temperatures and strange HVAC behavior in your house? The culprit could be from a malfunctioning AC Thermostat.

Here are 5 symptoms of a faulty thermostat to keep in mind when you start to notice your AC or furnace acting strangely.

1. Your A/C or Heater Struggles to Turn On

Does your AC or heater take an unusually long time to turn on when you change the temperature setting on your thermostat? Or not turn on all together?

If the answer is yes, this is a sign that your thermostat and your A/C or heater are not communicating due to defective wiring or your thermostat is simply not responding.

Check for loose screws, corrosion, loose or disconnected wiring, and the batteries. An HVAC professional may need to look at test the thermostat if everything appears fine.

2. Your A/C or Heater Never Turn Off

The good news is your AC continually blows cool air throughout the heat of the day. The bad news is as the day cools into the night, your AC continues to blow bitterly cold air throughout the house making the temperature almost unbearable.

At first, you may think your AC is beginning to die, but before you invest in a new air conditioning unit, have a professional take a look at your thermostat. A continuously running AC, or heater depending on the time of year, is common with malfunctioning thermostats.

3. Temperatures Vary Throughout Your Home

In one room your fingers and toes go numb from the cold and in another, you feel like you stepped into a sauna.

Varying temperatures in the house are a sign that your HVAC system is not running properly, especially when the rooms in the farthest corners of your house are not receiving enough cool or hot air. Check your thermostat.

4. The AC Thermostat Setting is Different from the Room Temperature

To test this, take a thermometer and place it near the thermostat. Try to avoid setting it against a cold or warm wall as this can affect the temperature reading.

If the thermometer reads a temperature differing by more than 1-2 degrees than the setting on your AC thermostat, your thermostat may be failing.

5. Your Thermostat is Unresponsive

Lastly, an unresponsive thermostat is a clear sign your thermostat is experiencing a problem. When you drastically change the temperature setting on your thermostat, and there’s no change in temperature or the display doesn’t respond, it may be time to have your AC thermostat checked by a professional.

Next Steps

Taking the time to test your AC thermostat can help you find the real problem in your HVAC system, saving you money.

Give our HVAC specialists a call at (256) 686-3444 to diagnose the problem and get your house back to the desirable climate you love.

“Demand The Best, Call SMS!”