The Real Reasons Your House Is Colder Than the Thermostat Setting

Never struggle with a chilly home again. Fast Air Repair will inspect your heating system and get it working properly. Call today to request repair service! 

Do you find yourself cranking up the temperature on the thermostat, but the room doesn’t get any warmer? If your house is colder than the thermostat setting, it’s a good indicator your heating system needs an inspection from a licensed HVAC professional. Your home may not warm up because of several common reasons we’ll go over in this helpful guide. 

Turn to Fast Air Repair if you’re experiencing issues with your heating system. We’ll diagnose whatever issues are causing your home temperature discrepancy. In addition to our heating services, we provide the top air conditioning repair in Ocala. 

Troubleshooting Common Thermostat and Heating Issues 

If you notice your house is colder than the thermostat setting, the first thing you should do is determine whether the root of the issue is with your thermostat. This technology can malfunction at any time, but you may be able to fix some common issues that impact thermostats. Below are some tactics to try before reaching out to an HVAC technician.

Replace the Thermostat Batteries

Like all battery-powered technology, thermostats fail to work when batteries start to die. Open up the battery compartment, remove the batteries, and replace them with new ones. This simple solution may bring your home’s internal temperature up when you adjust the thermostat setting. 

Check the Thermostat Settings

Unexpected issues like power surges can automatically reset your thermostat’s settings. Check them to ensure everything is how it should be. 

Replace Your Air Filter

Your furnace relies on an air filter to trap dirt, dust, and other allergens so they don’t travel through your vents. Clogged filters can severely diminish airflow, which may explain why the house is colder than the thermostat setting. Replace your filter with a new, clean one and see whether this makes a difference. 

If none of these measures help improve the situation, it’s time to reach out to a professional HVAC service company. Technicians can identify serious issues with your thermostat, heater, or ventilation systems and issue repairs. 

Poor Insulation Lets Heat Escape

Insulation problems can cause major headaches for homeowners. Your air conditioner may waste energy by constantly running, while your furnace will work overtime but never reach your desired temperature. Insulation is essential for retaining heat in the water and keeping cool air inside during the summer. 

One easy way to determine whether this is the cause of your temperature discrepancy is to put your hand over your ceilings, walls, and floors. If they are damp or cold, it’s a sign you don’t have sufficient insulation. Heat will continue to escape until you address the problem. 

Your Furnace Isn’t the Right Size

Not all furnaces are equal. That’s why it’s crucial to have an experienced technician measure your home before installing a heating system. A unit that’s too small won’t be able to adequately heat the space, while an oversized unit can overheat too quickly. 

Finding the right size unit for your home can improve your heating system efficiency and save you money on energy bills. In addition, it provides your home with reliable heating according to your demands. 

Lack of HVAC Maintenance

If the house is colder than the thermostat setting, it’s your sign to start scheduling regular maintenance for your HVAC system. Unexpected issues can arise with your furnace, while drafts and air leaks may stem from your ductwork. A professional heating and cooling specialist will inspect your systems and perform the following tasks as needed:

• Air duct cleaning and sealing
• Air filter replacement
• Furnace valve adjustment 
• Furnace cleaning

Experts recommend scheduling a heater tune-up service once a year to ensure the system works properly when you need it most. 

Incorrect Thermostat Calibration

Technical glitches can cause your thermostat to display an inaccurate reading. If the house is colder than the thermostat setting, calibrating the equipment can help it get back in sync. Every thermostat model is different, so consult with a heating and cooling specialist who is familiar with every system. 

You can also learn to calibrate the equipment with the thermostat instruction manual. While calibrating, it’s important to clean off any dust or grime building up on the thermostat. Trapped dirt can impact the sensor’s accuracy and produce false temperature readings. 

You Have a Broken or Misplaced Thermostat

Sometimes, the best solution to this problem is replacing your thermostat. If changing the batteries, fixing the settings, and calibrating the thermostat doesn’t help the situation, your best bet is to install new equipment. You may notice other warning signs your thermostat is near the end of its lifespan, such as the following:

• Failure to power on
• Non-responsiveness
• The heater constantly shuts on and off

Let an HVAC professional examine the equipment. They may be able to issue repairs or install a brand-new thermostat that will give effective readings every time. 

An expert can also tell you if your thermostat is in a decent location. The part of the home where you put the thermostat can lead to issues with inadequate heating. For example, putting the equipment in a room right near your furnace may cause it to detect heat earlier and cause the system to shut off despite the rest of the house feeling colder than the reading. 

Outdoor Elements Compromise Your Heating System

Depending on the type of home heating system you use, elements beyond your control can impact its operation. Heat pumps are an environmentally friendly way to heat your home, but since they include an outdoor component, low temperatures and ice can impact how well they heat your home. 

Extremely cold temperatures may impact the heat pump and prevent it from supplying your house with efficient warmth. If the outdoor unit’s coils are frozen by snow and ice, the system will be unable to complete the heat transfer and make your house much colder than the thermostat reads. You’ll need to wait until the ice melts to experience proper heating again. 

How To Keep Your Home Warm and Comfortable

No one wants to wake up shivering only to discover that the house is colder than the thermostat setting. The following are a few tips you can implement to avoid that scenario:

• Regularly replace your air filter: Clogged filters can lead to performance issues with your thermostat. Change the filter every three months or as soon as you notice it’s filled with debris. 
• Schedule HVAC maintenance: Experts will get your heater ready for the season and look for any cracks within your duct system that make the home cooler. 
• Calibrate your thermostat: Every thermostat will face issues over time, but a simple calibration should get it working again. 
• Insulate your home: Proper insulation will help your home retain its indoor temperature no matter how bitterly cold or scorching hot it is outside. 

Choose Fast Air Repair for Professional HVAC Solutions

Several factors can explain why your house is colder than the thermostat setting. If the issue is due to a faulty heating system, let the experts at Fast Air Repair inspect the heater and perform swift repairs. We have the equipment and knowledge to fix any HVAC problem, whether you suffer from inefficient air conditioning or a lack of airflow from your heater. 

Call Fast Air Repair at 352-290-7968 to request immediate service and get your home up to your comfort standards.