Do you ever feel like your furnace or air conditioning is not cycling on as frequently as it should? Do you feel like it doesn’t stay on long enough? You could be experiencing a ‘lazy’ HVAC system. And the problem could actually be your thermostat.
An inaccurate thermostat sends inaccurate messages to your furnace or air conditioner. Likewise, if you have a single HVAC unit that handles both. The term ‘lazy’ might be applied if your system continues to cycle on and off as it should but your house still never feels like it is at the right temperature. Your system is working, just not as well as it should.
Thermostat Failure Is Possible
One possible explanation for your lazy HVAC is a failing thermostat. A thermostat is failing if one of its internal components is malfunctioning. Maybe there’s something wrong with the circuit board. Perhaps its electronic sensors have decided to stop working. You could be looking at any number of things.
The only real solution for a failing thermostat is replacement. Thermostats are inexpensive enough that repairs are not financially viable. But before you pay for a replacement, consider other causes.
3 Things to Look At
Modern thermostats are pretty basic devices. Legitimate failure leading to replacement is rare. So what do you do if you are experiencing a lazy HVAC? Below are three things to look at, compliments of Superior Water & Air in Utah. Superior covers both north and south Utah, offering a full compendium of HVAC and plumbing services.
1. Dust
Believe it or not, dust can inhibit a thermostat’s accuracy. Dust, pet dander, and other particles build up over time. As a result, the sensor tasked with measuring the ambient temperature struggles to get an accurate reading. This would account for delayed cycling or an HVAC unit shutting off prematurely.
Fortunately, this particular issue is easy to solve. Just dust. Regular dusting will prevent a recurring problem in the future.
2. Thermostat Placement
Perhaps you just moved into your current house and you’re noticing a lazy HVAC for the first time. Consider the thermostat’s placement. If it is too close to a source of heat, the thermostat could be getting inaccurate readings.
Placing a thermostat near the kitchen is never a good idea. Experts also recommend avoiding a location that exposes the thermostat to direct sunlight or drafts. Anything that can cause a fluctuation of the thermostat’s measurement could throw off the accuracy of its readings.
3. Thermostat Calibration
Thermostats are essentially thermometers with built-in switches for activating and deactivating the HVAC system. According to Superior Water & Air, thermostats need to be calibrated when first installed. Some need additional calibration years down the road.
A lazy HVAC system could be indicative of a thermostat that needs calibrating. If you have checked for dust and are sure the thermostat’s location isn’t an issue, research how to calibrate your particular model online. Calibration is simple and there are plenty of videos showing how. If you don’t want to handle it yourself, an HVAC contractor can do it for you.
Calling in a Professional
If none of the three solutions proposed in this post solve your problem, there is a good chance either your thermostat is failing or you have a bigger problem with the HVAC unit. It’s time to call in a professional and hope for the best.
A lazy furnace or air conditioner doesn’t automatically translate into an expensive repair bill. With any luck, dusting or recalibrating will do the trick. Otherwise, an HVAC contractor can locate the source of the problem and recommend a fix.
