How long do thermostats last and when is it time to replace them?

Thermostats are like the brains of HVAC systems. They read the temperature in your home or business and tell your HVAC system to warm or cool your space as necessary. During Knightdale’s sweltering summers and (surprisingly to our northern friends) frigid winters, it’s important for your system to function effectively. But how would your body function if its brain wasn’t in tip-top shape? 

This article will talk about how long thermostats usually function and some signs that the brain of your HVAC system is beginning to fail.   

How long do thermostats usually last? 

It’s a tough question with no straightforward answer. Is it possible to limp a thermostat through life for 20+ years? Sometimes. Will a 20-year-old thermostat perform as well as a brand new thermostat? Certainly not. Are you saving money in the long-term by stingily clinging to your dusty analog thermostat? Again, almost certainly not. 

After a while, your thermostat will become less accurate. The technology will fall behind newer technology. Your thermostat will slowly deteriorate while the capabilities of new thermostats to regulate your system improve exponentially. 

As a general rule of thumb, if you’ve had your thermostat for more than 10 years, it’s probably time to upgrade. Thermostats aren’t that expensive, and the cost savings of having a smarter brain for your system (between generally superior performance and the ability of newer devices to work magic like scheduling different temperatures throughout the day) can pay dividends. 

What are the signs of a failing thermostat?

There can be many signs that your thermostat needs replaced (other than its age). However, thermostats are one of the first places to look when your HVAC system is performing inefficiently or, continuing with the brain analogy, unintelligently. The list can go on, and we’ll probably write a separate blog post on this subject another day, but here are a few telltale signs that it might be time to replace your thermostat:

1. Your HVAC is randomly cycling or turning on and off frequently.
2. Your thermostat is reading an obviously incorrect temperature.
3. Your energy bill has been spiking month over month or year over year.
4. Temperatures in your house have been fluctuating instead of maintaining relative consistency.

Call All Hours to diagnose and replace an old or failing thermostat

Do you suspect that your thermostat is on its way out? Are there unexplained problems with your HVAC system? Are you not exactly sure how to replace a thermostat yourself? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions and live in the Knightdale, NC, area, give us a call and we’ll get you on the schedule. We can have your HVAC system running like new in no time!