Winter in Merritt Island, FL, is more forgiving than in other parts of the country. However, the temperatures can fall to the 50s on some days. Most residents here are accustomed to the warmer weather, so many people turn to their heating system to ensure comfort.
Therefore, it can be a tad frustrating to see that your house is colder than the thermostat setting. As the leading AC service contractor in Merritt Island, FL, our team here at Altman’s Cooling & Heating receives calls from many people wondering why they have that temperature discrepancy.
We’ll cover some of the most common reasons below.
Thermostat Damage
A broken thermostat can cause a significant temperature lag between the unit and your indoor space. It may even fail to read the temperatures properly. In this scenario, your thermostat adjustment will not work.
One common sign of thermostat damage is an irregular heating cycle. If your furnace or heat pump comes on and off without any regularity, that’s your cue to take a closer look at your thermostat. Also, you should consider having the thermostat fixed or replaced if it resets itself on occasion.
Poor Thermostat Location
Is your thermostat located centrally enough? The unit will not capture your home’s temperature accurately if you’ve installed it in a location that is significantly hotter or cooler than your home’s internal temperature. This will cause a long list of issues and can certainly be one of the reasons your house is colder than the thermostat setting.
Use of Outdated Thermostat
Do you still have one of those old thermostats that depend on a mercury gauge to read indoor temperatures? Many homes in Merritt Island, FL, do! The gauge can tilt, causing the unit to read your indoor temperatures inaccurately. This can lead your house to feel colder than the thermostat setting.
Upgrading to a newer, more advanced thermostat can help resolve the problem. You should consider switching to a modern programmable thermostat designed to allow easy temperature scheduling for the whole day. Smart thermostats take things even further by giving you remote climate control functionality.
Heating System Problem
Once you’re certain that your thermostat doesn’t have any issues, you should turn your attention to the heating equipment. If your heat pump or furnace has any underlying issues, it won’t produce enough heat to match the temperature shown on your thermostat.
There’s a long list of possible issues that can plague your heating system. So, if your house is colder than the thermostat setting, you should consider calling an HVAC technician to evaluate the unit. This step is most relevant if you haven’t scheduled maintenance in a long while.
Poor Insulation Work
Are you certain about your home’s insulation effectiveness? Many homes in Merritt Island, FL, have poor insulation. Therefore, they can’t retain heat during the colder days of the year. The heating equipment will have to work longer and harder to meet your desired indoor temperatures.
This puts a lot of stress on the unit and can increase your energy bills — and you still won’t feel comfortable while inside your home. If your walls, floors, and ceilings feel cold to the touch during the winter, you should talk to an insulation expert about how to improve heat retention within your property.
Leaky Ductwork
You should schedule a ductwork inspection if your house is colder than the thermostat setting. The duct system transports the warm air from your heating system to the different rooms across your home. Any leaks along the line will affect your furnace or heat pump’s overall heating efficiency.
Experienced technicians can spot hidden leaks along your ductwork and recommend the best way to fix them.
Poor Equipment Sizing
Your heating system will struggle to match the thermostat’s temperatures if it’s too small to meet your heating needs. This reason doesn’t apply if the heating system has been working effectively before now.
However, if you’ve noticed the problem just after installation or after completing a home modification, then you should consider switching to a unit that is the accurate size for your space.
Get Professional Guidance From Your Heating Experts in Merritt Island, FL
Are you still wondering why your house is colder than the thermostat setting? Have you done your best with troubleshooting without success? Turn to Altman’s Cooling & Heating, the premier choice for cooling and heating services in Merritt Island, FL.
Our experienced technicians will evaluate your setup in relation to your property and provide custom advice. Call Altman’s Cooling & Heating in Merritt Island, FL, today to schedule a consultation.