If your house is warmer than you had intended, there are a few things that might be causing it. First, your thermostat batteries may be low. Replacing them should solve the issue immediately – otherwise, professional assistance might be required.
If you’re still having trouble with a warmer house despite changing the batteries, consider seeking professional help, and for more insights, you can visit this website.
1. Thermostat issues
Your thermostat can detach from its base or the wires that attach it to your HVAC system may become loose or frayed, hindering its ability to accurately read room temperatures or setting an incorrect setting. Fortunately, most thermostat issues are simple to troubleshoot and resolve.
Before you start troubleshooting, verify that the thermostat device and its batteries have power.
Also, inspecting its wiring as electrical problems pose serious safety risks, so enlisting professional help to test and replace wires safely is advised.
Your thermostat should be placed in the center of your home, away from direct sunlight and other heat sources, to accurately reflect the temperatures throughout. If one part of your house constantly feels warmer or colder than another area, zoning with a ductless system may be a better solution.
2. Insulation issues
Insulation helps your home be more energy-saving by limiting heat transfer within rooms. According to the Department of Energy, insulation could save up to 20% in energy costs by sealing air leaks and adding insulation in attic, basement, and crawl space spaces.
Insulation issues can often go undetected when they don’t produce obvious symptoms like drafts and increased energy bills. Furthermore, homeowners frequently need to install correct insulation materials or insufficient amounts.
If you have installed fiberglass batts in your ceiling for years, now may be an opportune time to switch out for something that can better withstand moisture and prevent the growth of mold while keeping rooms warmer throughout the year.
Attic insulation contractors should assess your current level of home insulation to offer expert advice about its best placement and type. An R-value fitting for your area would also be ideal.
Insulation may settle over time, leaving gaps for air to escape and creating drafts. When this occurs, thermal imaging cameras can help determine the best course of action – often adding insulation at points where gaps appear.
3. Dirty thermostat
Over time, dirt accumulates on thermostats, compromising their functionality and impacting their reading ability. Dirty thermostats can block their sensors, making temperature discrepancies worse than ever and could create hot or cold spots throughout your home.
Simply using some supplies you already have at home can make cleaning your thermostat easy. First, check that all vents are open and nothing is blocking their airflow. Next, if your thermostat features a metal coil, you can use a toothbrush to brush away dirt or dust that has built up around the contacts.
Alternatively, use something flexible like paper or money to move back and forth over it to dislodge any debris trapped within its crevices if you can’t reach them directly.
Afterward, after cleaning its mechanical contacts, you can add an electrical contact cleaner to help remove corrosion that might exist inside – saving both time and effort compared with its counterpart.
Once your thermostat has been cleaned, check its wiring to ensure no issues. Sometimes, a thermostat might not receive power due to an intermittent wire or circuit trip – in this instance, it would be wise to contact an HVAC technician as soon as possible to resolve this problem.
4. Thermostat location
Location is a crucial part of how accurately your thermostat reads your home’s temperature. It should be placed in an area that is regularly used by family members, such as a living room, to ensure consistent exposure to an average temperature that allows it to accurately determine whether your house should be warm or cool.
Proper positioning of a thermostat includes keeping it away from direct sunlight, drafts, large windows and heat sources. These courses can cause it to malfunction and generate inaccurate temperature readings.
Additionally, it’s best to position it against an interior wall rather than outside one.
Outdoor temperatures can affect exterior walls, which could force your heating and cooling systems into overtime operation, while interior walls provide insulation against such changes.
As a rule, thermostats should be placed at least five feet off the floor for accurate temperature readings and ease of access. Too high or too low may skew readings due to cooler air sinking while hot air rises; positioning too far up or too far down may skew readings by having cooler air sink while hot air rises.
