So I think my thermostat died. New batteries didn't help. Furnace lights say it is ready but the house is cold. The thermostat display was reading the proper programmed temp and it said the house temp was the same. However, when I tried to turn up the temperature to kick on the heat, the display didn't do anything. I pulled the batteries, put new ones in and the display stayed off. So I pulled the cover to trip the safety switch and keep the furnace off for the day.
- Does this sound like the thermostat?
- If yes, what brand should I get. I am NOT getting any of the fancy schmancy wi-fi enabled ones. I'd like to spend <$50 unless there is a really good reason to spend more. Current one is just a very basic non-programmable digital thermostat.
Thanks!
One time when I replaced the batteries in my thermostat it didn't want to work right away. I fiddled around with it for a while and discovered there was a little reset button on the circuit board inside the case, I pushed that and it started working again.
NGTD
SuperDork
10/30/14 1:10 p.m.
Get one from a solid company that has been in the business for a while. (Honeywell, etc.)
If the company makes Christmas lights, then you probably don't want them running your furnace.
Thermostats tend to be more reliable than the systems that they control. Does kinda sound like the stat though.
Most any decent company should give good service.
Something to look for also (experience here) tripped breakers to the furnace or even (sneaky devil that it was) a blown automotive style fuse on the circuit board in the furnace itself).
Stupid question... Does the A/C work? Blower turn on, Etc.
Reason I ask is that my A/C was replaced in May. I came home from work one day and found it not cooling. Turned out to be the 12V wire that pulled switch to the 220V into the compressor had shorted. Swapped that wire with a unused wire and everything was kosher. The first thing I thought was the thermostat, but that had been replaced recently as well.
Point being, the system usually has multiple steps to fire. Maybe only one is not working. It may help you diagnose to start narrowing down the possible scenarios.
Figure out the wiring color code and try firing it manually by crossing the correct wires.
UPDATE! It was the thermostat. Replaced with a programmable Honeywell and all is right with the house again. Thanks for the help everyone!
