
Thermostat Replacement: Know When It’s Time to Upgrade
Key Takeaways:
- A thermostat should typically be replaced every 10 years, but that can vary based on its brand and how it’s used.
- A faulty thermostat can increase the energy cost of your air conditioning system.
- Given the complexity of thermostat installation, it is generally best to get a professional technician to do it.
- Thermostats come in manual, programmable, and smart varieties.
When your home isn’t cooling or heating properly, it can ruin your entire day. Whether you finally have a day off or are just getting home from a hard day at work, the last thing you want to deal with is being uncomfortable in your own home. Unfortunately, a malfunctioning thermostat may be all it takes to ruin the interior climate of your home.
Knowing when your thermostat needs to be replaced is key to keeping your energy costs low and your home at a comfortable temperature. At Vaughan Comfort Services, we want you to enjoy comfortable temperatures all year long. Learn how to tell if your thermostat needs to be replaced, and discover how our HVAC professionals can help.
When Should Your Thermostat Be Replaced?
There are a few indicators that you need to replace your thermostat.
Recently Replaced Your HVAC Unit
HVAC technology progresses faster than you might think, and your old thermostat may not work as well with any new HVAC unit you get. Be sure to speak with a technician to see what would work best for your cooling system.
Unresponsive Thermostat
A thermostat doesn’t help much when it doesn’t respond to your inputs. This includes situations in which a thermostat does not activate your HVAC system even when temperature changes should direct it to do so.
High Energy Bills
If you find that your energy bills are higher than usual, you could be dealing with a faulty thermostat. Get a technician to check if your thermostat is on the fritz and ruining the energy efficiency of your HVAC system.
Constant Changes in Temperature
The point of an HVAC system is to keep the temperature fairly consistent, so fluctuating temperatures could indicate that your thermostat is misreading temperatures.
Can Homeowners Install Their Own Thermostats?
Yes, homeowners can install their own thermostats, but it is more difficult than you might think. Incorrectly installing a thermostat can not only prevent your HVAC system from working properly, but DIY thermostat installation can actively cause damage. Considering how complicated installation can be, it is generally best to call a professional to do it for you.
Benefits of Changing Your Thermostat
Updating your thermostat can offer several benefits you may not want to miss. With newer units, you can adjust the temperature in your home remotely, which can significantly reduce energy costs by allowing you to turn the system off when you are not home. Additionally, updated thermostats are better at maintaining consistent temperatures in your home.
Different Types of Thermostats
Thermostats typically fall into three distinct categories.
- Programmable: A programmable thermostat allows you to set specific temperatures in your home that switch automatically depending on the time of day. This allows much more flexibility in your home’s temperature management.
- Smart: A smart thermostat (like Google’s Nest Thermostat) is similar to a programmable thermostat, but a smart one will learn your habits and program itself accordingly.
- Manual: Manual thermostats are the oldest types, and they have to be set physically anytime you want a change.
Additional Resources
- A Guide Through the World of Thermostats: Thermostats can be more complicated than you might think, but this guide will explain the various types and help you find the one that will work best for your home.
- What To Do When My Thermostat is Blank? There are several possible causes for your thermostat being blank. This guide outlines the most common reasons, but the best strategy is to get a professional technician to take a look.
- What Should I Set My Thermostat to in the Summer? Your thermostat setting must balance comfort and cost-efficiency during the summer. These tips should help you find the sweet spot.
Why New Jersey Homeowners Choose Us
At Vaughan Comfort Services, we provide custom solutions for HVAC needs in southern New Jersey. Our team has years of experience, and we have been serving our community since 1937 when Elwood Vaughan provided service out of a used truck. Since then, we have consistently been associated with quality, integrity, honesty, and accountability. We offer emergency services around the clock for those times when your thermostat repair just can’t wait. Take a closer look at what some of our previous clients had to say about our services.
Testimonials
“Our first experience with Vaughn convinced us we made an excellent choice. They solved a longtime problem with our heating/AC system very quickly and without any delays. The time frame quoted was precisely what occurred. Our technician installed all the new parts and the process went smoothly on the planned day and time. His technical knowledge and experience were very much in evidence. He also was extremely pleasant to deal with and explained what he did and answered our questions easily. He was especially helpful with the thermostat replacement. We are elated to have the job completed so quickly and plan to use Vaughan Comfort Services for maintenance and any possible problems in the future. They have a very professional company with pleasant, friendly, courteous staff who were very helpful. Many thanks to everyone involved!” — B. South.
“We’ve used Vaughan a few times for our heating needs and have always been really pleased. Today was no different. Andy came for routine maintenance and, as always, was very polite, knowledgeable, and honest. If they see something that could benefit from an update they let us know, explained the purpose of the part and the pros and cons of replacing. They provide a quote if requested. This allows us to make an informed decision without feeling any pressure. We will continue to use Vaughan Comfort Services and would recommend them to anyone.” — Rebecca E.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thermostats
What is the Average Lifespan of a Home Thermostat in New Jersey?
The average lifespan of a thermostat is around 10 years, but that length can vary based on the brand, maintenance, and the types of temperatures it is used for.
Can a New Thermostat Save Me Money?
A new thermostat will have a relatively high upfront cost, but if it is significantly more efficient than your old thermostat, you should see noticeable reductions in your energy bills and operational costs.
What Makes a Thermostat Smart?
A smart thermostat will learn your habits and make automatic temperature adjustments accordingly, but you are free to program it yourself, too.
Change Your Thermostat, Not Your Lifestyle
You don’t have to accept that your thermostat is not working properly. Get in touch with Vaughan Comfort Services to get your thermostat repaired or replaced. We offer appointments and 24/7 emergency service. Call 856-627-0303 or fill out our online contact form to get started.