The cost savings that you can achieve by installing a smart thermostat range anywhere from 10% to 26% per year on your heating and cooling bills. But this doesn’t mean you can just install a smart thermostat and ignore regular AC maintenance. Learn how the two go hand in hand for both systems to maintain peak performance.
Ensuring That the Thermostat Takes Accurate Temperature Readings
When you don’t give your AC regular tune-ups, there’s a much higher chance of dirty coils and clogged internal components that reduce airflow through the system. Because of this, several parts of the home may have hot and cold spots that prevent the thermostat from accurately detecting the room’s temperature. This can make the AC run when it’s not supposed to and not run when it needs to. A poorly calibrated thermostat can do the same thing. During maintenance checks, an HVAC pro will ensure that the system has proper airflow and the thermostat has precise calibration.
Preventing Short Cycling That Can Confuse Thermostat Algorithms
Systems that go without periodic cleaning and fine-tuning are much more likely to short cycle, that is, turn on and off before completing a full cooling cycle. This puts immense wear and tear on the AC’s components and may also cause the thermostat’s learning algorithms to make less accurate adjustments over time. Faulty sensors and low refrigerant are two of the most common contributors to this problem, which an HVAC technician can easily pinpoint and fix during a maintenance visit.
Preventing Dirty Filters From Causing False Temperature Fluctuations
A clogged air filter essentially chokes the AC’s airflow, leading to uneven cooling throughout the house and poorer indoor air quality. If your thermostat is in an area affected by these temperature variations, it may register false temperature spikes that trick it into turning on when it doesn’t need to. During maintenance, the filter will receive a quick inspection to see if it’s dirty.
Reducing Wear on Relays and Control Circuits That Connect to the Thermostat
When an air conditioner has a loose wiring connection or a failing contactor, the control wiring connected to the thermostat may experience electrical issues that interfere with the device’s ability to communicate with the cooling system. Some of the sensitive electronic components inside the high-tech control panel may overheat or short out. When this happens, the thermostat won’t be able to take accurate readings, or it may not turn on at all. Regular maintenance helps prevent this issue by making sure all electrical connections are tight and secure. If there’s a failing contactor, a technician will replace it with a new component that allows the system to operate reliably and communicate properly with the thermostat.
Taking care of your cooling system with periodic tune-ups helps the equipment last longer and run more efficiently. It also ensures that the thermostat operates with accurate system feedback at all times, which is essential to maximizing energy savings. When you’re ready to book a tune-up, you can contact a reputable HVAC company in your area. When you need smart thermostat services in Phoenix, AZ, contact Ace Home Services.