A thermostat is basically a device that regulates the temperature of an enclosed space by switching on and off heating or cooling equipment when the temperature in the room rises above or falls below a certain level.
Thermostats are also known as thermo-regulators, thermo-controllers, thermo-switches, heat controllers, heat regulators, heat switches, air conditioners, air conditioning etc.
Thermostats are used in many applications including residential, commercial and industrial settings. In homes, thermostats regulate the temperature inside rooms to maintain comfortable
temperatures for occupants.They may be set manually or automatically according to the time of day, season, weather conditions or occupancy levels.
In some cases, thermostats can be controlled remotely via telephone lines, radio frequency signals, computer networks or other communication systems. The most common type of thermostat is the mechanical thermostat which uses a bimetallic strip.
How To Identify If Your American Standard Thermostat Is Analogue or Digital
A digital thermostat regulates the temperature by turning off and on the heating/cooling system based on pre-set temperature settings. While manual thermostats control the temperature by turning on and off the heating/cooling system based on the setting of the thermostat.
Again, analogue thermostats use a thermistor as their sensor. Thermistors measure the heat from a room and adjust the amount of electricity sent to the heater accordingly. While digital thermostats use a microprocessor chip to regulate the flow of electricity to the heater. These thermostats usually have more features than analogue thermostats.
What Will Enable You To Differentiate Between A Programmable Thermostat and A Fixed-Program Thermostat?
Programmable thermostats allow you to set temperatures manually while fixed-program thermostats automatically turn the furnace on when the temperature reaches a certain level.
A programmable thermostat can be used in conjunction with a remote-controlled unit. The remote controls the thermostat so that it will turn on or off the furnace depending on what time of day it is.
How To Know If Your Thermostat Has Failed
There are several things that may indicate that your thermostat has failed. You may notice that the temperature does not change when you press the button. If this happens, then the thermostat is probably broken.
You may also notice that the temperature changes but the fan doesn't run. This indicates that the thermostat is working properly, but the fan motor isn't running because there's nothing connected to it.
You may also notice that the temperature changes but the fan runs continuously. This indicates that the thermostat is working properly, but the fan is too strong.
Other common thermostat problems are:
1) The thermostat does not work properly.
2) It has no power supply.
3) It has bad contacts.
4) There is a problem with the wiring.
5) The thermostat is not working at all.
6) The thermostat is not getting enough voltage.
7) The thermostat is not receiving any signal.
So, How Do You Troubleshoot A Thermostat?
The first thing to check is whether it's working properly. Turn the power switch ON. Check if there is any sign of electrical current flowing through the wires connected to the thermostat.
If not, then the problem could be with the wiring at the wall outlet. Check the wiring diagram to see where the wire coming out of the wall socket goes. Is it going into the thermostat?
If yes, then the circuit breaker may have tripped. Turn it back OFF and try again.
If not, then check the wiring diagram again. It might be possible that the thermostat is wired incorrectly.
Another possibility is that the thermostat is faulty. Try replacing the thermostat with another one.
Note; If all else fails, contact a professional electrician for help.
Thermostat Troubleshooting Guide:
1) Make sure the thermostat is turned on.
2) Verify that the thermostat is plugged into the correct receptacle.
3) Verify that the thermostat is receiving power.
4) Verify that the thermostat is receiving the proper voltage.
5) Verify that the thermostat is receiving the proper amperage.
6) Verify that the thermostat is receiving the proper signal.
7) Verify that the thermostat is receiving the proper polarity.
8) Verify that the thermostat is receiving the proper grounding.
9) Verify that the thermostat is receiving the proper load.
10) Verify that the thermostat is receiving the proper temperature.
11) Verify that the thermostat is receiving the proper humidity.
12) Verify that the thermostat is receiving the proper light.
13) Verify that the thermostat is receiving the proper sound.
What Is The Lifespan Of A Thermostat?
A thermostat can last for years without failure. But, like everything in life, they can fail. Here’s how to tell if yours needs repair or replacement.
Check the thermostat label. If it says “thermostat” or “programmable thermostat”, then replace it. If it says something different, such as “heat pump controller”, then it’s safe to keep using it.
Check the thermostat cover. If it looks worn or damaged, replace it. Look closely at the thermostat itself. If it looks dirty, replace it.
Look inside the unit. Does it look corroded? Do the terminals appear loose? Are they rusted? Replace them if so. Check the wiring connections. If they look corroded, replace them. Check the thermostat control panel. If it looks worn, replace it.