Don’t Make These 7 Thermostat Mistakes in Lenoir City, TN

Maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home in Lenoir City, TN is very important, especially during hot and cold months. Most people assume their unit is old or broken when they struggle to maintain an ideal room temperature or when their energy bills rise. If you’re having such problems, here are seven thermostat mistakes you could be making and how to correct them.

1. Setting the Wrong Temperature

A modern thermostat can be a little challenging to use. Many users barely read the manual to understand how it works. Instead, they rely on the simple instructions given during the thermostat installation.

However, if you want to avoid ending up wasting energy or making your home feel uncomfortable, you need some knowledge of how to set the right temperatures or even program your HVAC system to run at specific times of the day.

For most homes in Lenoir City, TN, setting the thermostat between 64 and 69 degrees Fahrenheit is highly recommended in winter. However, if someone in your home is prone to stiff joints or arthritis, you can adjust the thermostat a few degrees higher.

2. Not Using a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat is great for people who leave their homes regularly, as it allows them to preset temperatures and save energy while they’re away. With a programmable thermostat, you won’t need to manually switch off your HVAC system each time you leave your home since it will automatically do it based on your settings.

3. Failing to Use the Fan Mode Correctly

Most people believe that keeping their fans in “on” mode all the time is the best way to cool their homes. However, it’s not the wisest approach.

Fans dehumidify the air while they run and can make your home feel even cooler if you use them incorrectly. To avoid this issue, use fan auto mode instead since it runs your HVAC system for a brief period every hour or so to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.

4. Installing the Thermostat in Cold or Hot Parts of the Room

Ideally, you should install your thermostat in an area that reflects your home’s typical temperature. This will enable it to accurately capture the overall temperature of your house, thus letting your unit cool or heat the air appropriately.

Installing your thermostat in uncharacteristically cold or hot parts of a room could also damage your system. It will cause it to turn on and off more frequently, wearing out the moving parts much quicker and leading to a costly repair or replacement. Consider getting a professional to install your thermostat on the interior walls about 5 feet from the floor and corners.

5. Failing to Calibrate the Thermostat

The best way to keep your HVAC running properly is having a professional calibrate the thermostat. This involves setting the desired temperature and seeing if the thermostat can maintain it for a certain period without switching off or on again. Calibrating your thermostat will also help you determine whether any part of your system has worn out and needs replacement.

6. Not Cleaning and Maintaining Filters Regularly

All air conditioners require regular maintenance for them to run correctly. Failing to clean or change dirty filters can significantly reduce the performance of your HVAC system by restricting airflow.

This affects your thermostat by causing it to switch on and off more often, interfering with its calibration. Consider cleaning your HVAC filters regularly to keep the system running at optimal levels.

7. Failing to Take Advantage of Modern Features

Modern smart thermostats come with plenty of features, like Wi-Fi connectivity, geolocating technology, voice control and much more. Taking advantage of these features allows you to have better control over your thermostat and adjust its settings from anywhere via a mobile app or voice commands.

Your cooling and heating system is only as good as the controls you have in place to keep your home comfortable. For help with any thermostat problems or other HVAC issues in Lenoir City, TN, contact us at Cook’s Comfort Systems, Inc. We’d be happy to install a modern programmable thermostat for you.

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