What to Know – Why Room Temperature & Thermostat Don’t Stay the Same
Every summer, Virginia Beach cranks up the heat to above 90 degrees on average, and it appears this summer will certainly be no exception. While a few brave souls endure the scorching heat, most of us retreat into offices and homes and the safety of our air conditioners. But what do you do when your thermostat setting and temperature don’t match?
This following scenario happens many times every summer. As the heat rises, some of our customers panic when thermostat settings and room temperatures don’t coincide, and we get lots of concerned phone calls and emails. Nearly every one of them wants one question answered: Why is the temperature in my house higher than the temperature on my thermostat?
In many cases – though certainly not in all – there’s no need to panic. Your A/C is designed to keep your house comfortable at around 75 degrees on days that are 95 degrees and up. If you’re trying to get your house to 65 and that’s not happening, don’t worry. You don’t necessarily need to get a repairman out right away.
Just keep in mind that despite how much these amazing machines can do, they do have limitations in cases of extreme heat. So, when the temperature starts climbing toward 100 or more, the realistic thing to do is to raise the temperature setting on your thermostat. If you keep your setting at 65 and it’s 100 or more outside, your A/C will be running constantly, struggling to reach that 65-degree setting, and that will shorten its lifespan and raise your energy bills as well.
Possible Problems Other Than Your Thermostat Setting
All that said, there may be other reasons why your house is not getting as cool as you would like it to be, and here’s a quick summary of other possible causes.
- Dirty or broken thermostat: Depending on the thermostat’s design, you may be able to take the top plate off and look for any dust or other accumulated debris that might be interfering with its operation. Clean off any residue that you find, and if you see any faulty or corroded wiring, it’s probably time to have a new thermostat installed. In that case, we suggest a programmable thermostat that can vary temperature settings as needed throughout the day and night.
- Thermostat location: A thermostat located in an area that receives a lot of direct sunlight may not work properly. To prevent exposure to extreme heat, you might use curtains or blinds to block direct sunlight, and avoid running any appliances around the thermostat that generate heat. If these steps don’t work, you may need to call in an HVAC professional to relocate your thermostat.
- Wrong-sized A/C system: When it comes to your A/C system, size really does matter. If the system is too large for the size of your home, it will cool some rooms and then shut off, without cooling the entire house. This can also cause mold and high humidity. Conversely, if it’s too small, it will struggle constantly to match your thermostat setting and cool your home. If you think this may be your issue, call MSCO and take advantage of our expert A/C services.
- Broken or worn-out A/C system: The source of your cooling problem may be a broken or worn part somewhere in your system that needs replacing. On the other hand, if your A/C system is 10-15 years old, it may well be time to consider replacing it with a new and far more energy-efficient unit. Once again, the solution is to call in the A/C experts from MSCO Heating & Cooling, and we’ll give you an honest appraisal of your situation, whether repairs will fix the problem or it’s time to seriously consider replacing your old A/C system.
What’s a Good Temperature to Set My Thermostat in Summer?
After all’s said and done, this is the logical question, and to answer it, we’ll forward the advice of the U.S. Department of Energy. That agency suggests that when you’re home, the “sweet spot” between staying cool and comfortable and controlling your utility bills is 78 degrees. The agency also suggests giving your A/C and energy costs a break by setting the thermostat at 88 degrees when away unless you have indoor pets. In that case, keep the setting at 85 or lower.
MSCO Heating & Cooling – Here for You, Whatever the Season!
We hope this information we’ve provided helps alleviate your concerns, but if you still have questions about thermostat settings or think you have a problem that needs professional attention, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Just give us a call, and we’ll provide our best advice and if needed, have one of our expert A/C technicians at your home in no time at all!
