Without a doubt, thermostats are an important part of a home’s heating and cooling control. That is why you want to make sure your thermostat is doing its job. So how do you know when to replace it?

Here are four questions you need to answer when deciding if it is time to replace your thermostat.

Is your thermostat broken?

This may seem like an obvious question but you might be incorrectly blaming temperature troubles on your furnace or air conditioner. Turn the thermostat until you hear a “click” and wait for your HVAC system’s response. If you do not hear a “click” and the unit does not come on or go off, your thermostat might be faulty.

Can you repair it?

Once you figure out that your thermostat is not working right, the next step is to see if you can fix it yourself or if it needs to be replaced. It may simply need a new battery. There might also be loose wiring, dust build-up, or a tripped circuit breaker.

Before you attempt to repair your broken thermostat, make sure it does not require an expert. Always proceed with caution before opening it up and read the manual before doing anything.

broken thermostat

Is it the correct thermostat for your HVAC equipment?

Many home furnaces are single-stage furnaces that cycle on or off as needed. Some, however, are two-stage, which means the first stage will come on and is then followed by the second stage if needed. Your thermostat must match this or it will not work properly.

Heat pumps, boilers, and furnaces all behave differently to variations in temperature settings. Your best option is to have a thermostat that is manufacturer-recommended. Call in a professional to assess this if you are not sure.

Are your energy bills too high?

If you have a manual thermostat that maintains only one temperature setting, then upgrading to a programmable thermostat can save you anywhere from 15% to 30% on your energy bills. It achieves this by allowing you to pre-set a lower temperature in winter or higher temperature in summer at any time the temperature setting is not as critical, like when everyone is away during the workday or on vacation).

You might also want to consider changing to a smart thermostat. This allows you to control the temperature via your phone so you can warm up or cool down your home before you get there on days outside of your normal pre-sets. Some thermostats even learn your habits and begin to adjust themselves accordingly!