How Long Do Thermostats Last in a Home in Hurricane, WV?

In many West Virginia households, the thermostat is a battleground: one person wants to turn the heat up, while other family members want to turn it down. But even when you can all agree on the perfect setting, there’s no getting around the fact that the thermostat won’t last forever.

As the preferred company for thermostat repair services in Hurricane, WV, customers often ask Best Virginia Heating & Cooling, “How long do thermostats last?” We break down the details below.

Average Thermostat Lifespan

Most modern units are reliable for about a decade. Older, analog thermostats might last up to 35 years or longer, but there are plenty of reasons that their longer lifespan doesn’t always make them a great choice.

Is It Time to Replace the Thermostat in My Hurricane Home?

The thermostat is a vital component of your home’s heating and cooling system. It sends signals to the air conditioner or furnace to tell the unit to turn on and off depending on your desired temperature.

Unfortunately, if anything goes wrong, and the signal is incorrect or doesn’t reach the unit, your home won’t be as comfortable as you want it to be. Sometimes, the issue is simple, like the thermostat batteries need replacing, but ongoing issues typically indicate that a new thermostat is in order.

With that in mind, the question isn’t necessarily, “How long do thermostats last in Hurricane, WV?” but, “How do you know it’s time for a new one?”

Age

The age of your thermostat is a big clue that it’s time to invest in a replacement. Most programmable or smart thermostats last about 10 years before the technology they use is obsolete. At this point, you may not be getting the maximum energy efficiency from your equipment and could be missing out on useful features.

If you have an analog thermostat, which doesn’t allow you to program your preferred settings, it’s well past time to invest in a new thermostat. While the lack of bells and whistles might mean it won’t become obsolete so quickly, it also means that you’re missing out on energy efficiency and optimal comfort.

Uneven Heating or Cooling

If your home is too warm on a hot Hurricane day or cold on a chilly winter night, the issue might not be the furnace or air conditioner. There could be something wrong with the thermostat. A faulty device will affect the HVAC system’s ability to control the temperature, forcing it to run longer than you wish or turn off sooner than expected. Although it may be possible to recalibrate or repair the unit, in many cases, a replacement is the better option.

Increases in Energy Bills

A malfunctioning thermostat can lead to a huge spike in your energy expenses when it’s triggering your heating and cooling system to run unnecessarily. The longer the furnace or air conditioning runs, the more energy it uses, and the more you’ll spend on power.

Sometimes, this problem has less to do with the durability of the thermostat and is due to improper placement. Installing a thermostat in front of a sunny window or in a drafty room can affect its sensors and cause it to run the heat or cooling system more or less than it should. If you have a newer thermostat, consider installing it elsewhere in your Hurricane home to control the power bills.

How Can I Extend the Lifespan of My Hurricane, WV, Thermostat?

Another factor that influences the answer to, “How long do thermostats last?” is maintenance. A thermostat calibration and inspection is part of the typical furnace or air conditioner maintenance visit. They can make a big difference to your home’s energy efficiency and comfort since an HVAC professional will ensure that the thermostat is working perfectly — and let you know if it has a problem that requires attention.

Beyond professional maintenance, keep an eye on the thermostat batteries, since dead batteries are a common reason for heating and cooling shutdowns. It’s a good idea to change the batteries twice a year at the same time as the smoke detectors.

Get Professional Help Replacing a Thermostat

If learning the answer to, “How long do thermostats last?” has you headed to the store for a new one to install in your Hurricane, WV, home, get in touch with Best Virginia Heating & Cooling for help. In addition to answering all your burning questions, like, “Is it expensive to have the AC on all day?” we can help you select the perfect thermostat and install it in the ideal location to guarantee maximum comfort.