Thermostat problems that look like AC problems
Before replacing a part in the air conditioner, it pays to rule out the thermostat. The problems we see:
- A blank screen, often from dead batteries, a tripped safety switch on the drain, or a wiring or power problem
- The system short-cycles because the thermostat sits in direct sun, over a lamp, or near a supply vent
- The house is several degrees off from what the thermostat reads
- The AC will not turn on, or will not turn off
- A heat pump runs emergency heat when it should not, because the thermostat was configured for the wrong system type
Thermostat repair
We check power, wiring and the signals the thermostat sends to the system, and confirm it reads the room temperature accurately. Loose wires at the thermostat or the air handler, a failed transformer, or a tripped float switch on a clogged drain are common causes of a dead thermostat. If the thermostat itself has failed or is in a bad location, we recommend a replacement or relocation.
Smart and programmable thermostat installation
A programmable or smart thermostat lets the house warm up a bit while you are at work and cool back down before you get home, which cuts run time during the hottest part of the day. Smart models let you adjust from your phone and can show you how long the system actually runs.
The key is matching the thermostat to your system. Heat pumps, multi-stage systems and variable-speed equipment need a thermostat that can control them correctly, and some smart thermostats need a common wire that older homes lack. We install, wire and configure the thermostat for your equipment and show you how to use it.
Part of a bigger picture
If a new thermostat does not solve the comfort problem, the cause may be the system or the ducts. See AC repair, duct repair or heating. New systems get a matched thermostat as part of installation, and a tune-up includes a thermostat check.
We install and repair thermostats across Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, Paradise and Boulder City.
Choosing a thermostat
Programmable
Set a schedule once and the thermostat follows it. Simple and reliable.
Smart
App control, learning schedules and run-time reports. Some models need a common wire, which we can add.
Matched to your system
Heat pumps, two-stage and variable-speed systems need a thermostat that can control them properly. We check compatibility before installing.
Thermostat placement matters
A thermostat only knows the temperature where it hangs. On a wall that gets afternoon sun, near a kitchen, above a lamp or right next to a supply vent, it reads the wrong temperature and runs the system at the wrong times. The best spot is an interior wall in a room you use, away from direct sun, drafts and heat sources. If yours is in a bad location, moving it can fix comfort problems that look like an AC issue.
We also check that the thermostat is set up for your system type, since a heat pump configured as a conventional AC will not heat properly.
Questions we hear a lot
What temperature should I set my AC to in summer?
Many people are comfortable in the upper 70s when home and set it higher when away. Every degree higher cuts run time. A programmable thermostat automates it.
Can I install a smart thermostat myself?
Many people do. The risks are miswiring a heat pump or a multi-stage system, or a system without a common wire. If in doubt, we can install it.
Why does my thermostat say one temperature but the room feels hotter?
It may be in a poor location, poorly calibrated, or the room may not be getting enough air. We check all three.
My thermostat screen is blank. What should I check first?
Replace the batteries if it has them. Then check the breaker for the indoor unit, and look for water near the indoor unit: a clogged drain can trip a safety switch that cuts power to the thermostat. If the screen is still blank, call us, since the cause may be a blown fuse or a failed transformer.