If you’re paying more to heat your South Beloit, IL, home, your thermostat is a likely culprit. Your thermostat tells your furnace when to turn off and on. Although aging heating equipment, airflow obstructions, and insufficient maintenance can lead to lower efficiency, thermostats can, too. Discover five signs your thermostat is costing you more on your heating bills.
1. Your Home Temperature Feels Inconsistent
If your indoor temperature constantly fluctuates, you may need thermostat service. Poor thermostat placement, low backup batteries, and worn wiring can cause inaccurate temperature readings. Miscalibration and dirty internal sensors cause problems as well. If you schedule a furnace repair to address these issues, we’ll inspect, test, and calibrate your thermostat as needed.
2. Your Furnace Turns On and Off Frequently
A short-cycling furnace could have a dirty air filter, blocked duct, or other maintenance-related problem. However, if you’re up to date on furnace maintenance, your thermostat might have faulty wiring or a faulty sensor. These and other issues can hinder communication between your thermostat and heating system.
3. Your Energy Bills Are Rising Despite Normal Usage
If you aren’t using your furnace more and haven’t made major modifications to your home, your heating costs should remain static. Unexplained increases in your heating bill could point to faulty thermostat readings or poor calibration. Timely heating service can end unexplained electric increases.
4. Your Thermostat Is Old or Outdated
Old, standard thermostats rely on outdated components like mercury switches and bimetallic strips to measure temperature. By design, these thermostats are more susceptible to wear and more likely to provide inaccurate temperature readings. With gradual calibration drift, some older thermostats read temperatures with decreasing accuracy throughout the heating season.
With inaccurate temperature readings, your furnace won’t turn off and on when it should. With a programmable or smart thermostat installation, you’ll get both greater accuracy and better control.
5. You Notice Delayed or Unresponsive Heating
Inaccurate temperature readings can lead to delayed starts, shorter furnace run times, and other problems throughout the heating cycle. Frayed wiring and other wiring troubles can cause problems, too. Given that your thermostat tells your furnace when to work, it must read temperatures accurately.
Benefits of Upgrading to a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats use thermistors to measure temperature rather than bimetallic strips or mercury switches. While smart thermostats can still have calibration issues, they’re far less likely to. These devices also have built-in features for easy recalibration, such as factory reset buttons. More importantly, they provide many benefits that standard thermostats do not.
Remote Temperature Control & Scheduling
Smart thermostats have branded mobile apps that you can use to monitor and adjust your devices remotely. With smart thermostats, you can schedule multiple automatic temperature changes. If you like raising or lowering your temperature before bed or leaving for work, a smart thermostat will make these changes for you. Adding a smart thermostat during new furnace installation eliminates the potential for human error and oversight.
Improved Efficiency and Comfort
As learning devices, smart thermostats leverage sensors and algorithms to become increasingly adept at adjusting themselves. With data tracking, they adjust to save energy, optimize comfort, and help homeowners reach their goals.
Long-Term Savings on Energy Bills
Smart thermostats provide detailed energy consumption reports, service alerts, performance alerts, and more. With a smart thermostat, you can stay on top of filter changes, heater and AC maintenance, and other tasks that optimize efficiency.
Why Choose Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning for Thermostat Upgrades?
Since 1964, Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning has proudly served South Beloit, Beloit, Rockton, and Roscoe. With over 60 years of local experience, we’re a top choice for thermostat replacement. We’re a Lennox Premier Dealer, and we employ NATE-certified HVAC technicians. To experience the benefits of a smart thermostat, call Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning today!
FAQ: Thermostat Efficiency & Upgrades
Do you have questions about your thermostat and its efficiency? You count on us for answers to all your frequently asked thermostat questions.
How Do I Know If My Thermostat Is Broken Or Just Outdated?
While older, analog thermostats can last three decades or more, the average lifespan of a modern thermostat is 10 years. If your thermostat is nearing the end of its lifespan, look for signs of waning performance. These include rising energy bills, uneven heating, and frequent short cycling.
Will A New Thermostat Really Lower My Heating Bills?
A new thermostat will lower your heating bills, especially if your current thermostat is raising them. In addition to accurate temperature readings, a new thermostat can offer many helpful, energy-saving functions. According to ENERGY STAR, smart thermostats can reduce HVAC-related energy use by up to 10%.
Can Fleming Install Smart Thermostats For Existing HVAC Systems?
In most cases, we can. An older HVAC system might lack a C-wire for the continuous power that smart thermostats require. If we can’t find a compatible thermostat, we’ll help you plan for a thermostat upgrade during your next HVAC replacement.
Request Service
Request Service
Why Choose Fleming?
- 24/7 Emergency Service
- Trusted Local Experts Since 1964
- NATE-Certified Technicians
- Certified Lennox Premier Dealer
- Affordable Maintenance Plans
- Easy Financing Options Available
- Over 20,000 Customers Serviced
