Your furnace needs to operate in coordination with the thermostat to turn on and off regularly. If the connection between the two is lost or erratic, your furnace won't work properly. You might try to figure out what's wrong with your furnace when the real problem is with the thermostat. Here's a look at some ways the thermostat can malfunction and what a furnace repair technician might need to do about the problem.

Signs Of A Malfunctioning Thermostat

Thermostat problems can present themselves in different ways. Your furnace may not start at all, or it might start and not shut off. Your furnace might be erratic and run for long periods or short cycle. It could get your home too warm or not warm enough.

Ways A Thermostat Can Go Bad

Your thermostat may just wear out due to old age. If your thermostat is old, the furnace repair technician might recommend you replace it rather than repair it. The wires inside the thermostat might be loose instead. If this happens, the thermostat won't be able to send a signal to the control board. A dirty thermostat can also cause a malfunction.

Wires can also be damaged, such as when a mouse chews on them. A wire goes from the thermostat to the control board in your furnace. The wire goes into the wall behind the thermostat, so it could potentially be damaged by a mouse or work loose from the connection at the control board. All of these problems can affect the performance of your furnace.

Repairs That Fix A Thermostat

The furnace repair technician needs to run tests to pinpoint the problem. Tightening connections might help if they're loose and not making contact. Replacing the wiring might be necessary if it's damaged. The thermostat can be taken apart and cleaned if needed.

Your thermostat might need to be reset if the power was out. This might involve pushing the reset button, but that varies by brand. Also, the battery in the thermostat could be dead or low. In that case, it should be replaced with a fresh battery.

It's also a good idea to test the programming just to make sure it's set properly. If the technician can't find a fix for the malfunctioning thermostat, they'll have to replace it. Give thought to the type of new thermostat you want in case you have a smart home and want to add a smart thermostat. The furnace repair technician may supply a replacement so the work can get done quickly.

Contact a local furnace repair service to learn more.