A thermostat is the cheapest part of a heating and cooling system and the one most likely to be blamed for something it did not do. It is also, occasionally, genuinely the fault, and swapping it is a fraction of the cost of anything else.
Plumbing Pros installs and repairs thermostats across Easton, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Wilson and the Lehigh Valley, and heating and cooling across Warren County, New Jersey.
When the thermostat really is the problem
- Blank display. Batteries first, then power to the unit, then the thermostat itself.
- The room temperature never matches the setting. Often a thermostat placed badly, in direct sun, above a lamp, or on a wall with a draught behind it.
- The system runs constantly or not at all.
- Short cycling that turns out to be the thermostat rather than the equipment.
- Heat and cool reversed, or the fan running when it should not.
When it is not the thermostat
Plenty of the time. If the system is heating but weakly, or one room is uncomfortable while the rest is fine, replacing the thermostat will not help and we will tell you that rather than sell you one. Those are usually airflow, ductwork or equipment faults.
Choosing a replacement
Compatibility matters more than features. Not every thermostat suits every system. Heat pumps in particular need a thermostat that understands auxiliary and emergency heat, and fitting the wrong one is a common cause of enormous winter electricity bills, because the system ends up running on backup heat without anyone noticing.
Multi stage equipment, dual fuel systems and zoned systems all narrow the list further. We check what you have before recommending anything.
Smart thermostats earn their keep on a household with a predictable pattern of being out. If somebody is home most of the day, the savings are smaller and a good programmable model does the same job for less.
C wire. Many smart thermostats need a common wire for constant power. Older installations often do not have one. That is solvable, and it is the kind of thing worth knowing before you buy the thermostat rather than after.
What we do
- Check compatibility against your actual equipment
- Confirm the wiring, including whether a C wire exists
- Install and configure for your system type, including heat pump changeover where it applies
- Site it sensibly, away from sun, draughts and heat sources
- Test heating, cooling and fan operation before we leave
What it costs
Our diagnostic fee is $85, waived for service plan members. Thermostat pricing depends on the model and whether wiring work is needed, and you get the number before we start.
Why us
- Master HVAC-R licence 9380, held by owner Salvatore Sciorta
- 4.9 stars across 650 Google reviews
- BBB accredited, A plus rating since June 2024
- We will tell you when it is not the thermostat, which is most of the time
Common questions
Will a smart thermostat cut my bills?
It can, if the house is regularly empty on a predictable schedule. If someone is home most of the day the difference is much smaller. We are not going to quote you a savings percentage we cannot measure on your house.
Can I fit one myself?
Often yes on a simple system. The two things that catch people are compatibility and the C wire. Heat pumps are where a wrong thermostat gets expensive, because emergency heat can run without you realising.
Why is my thermostat reading the wrong temperature?
Usually placement. Sun, a nearby lamp, a draughty wall or a supply vent blowing across it will all skew the reading.
Book a thermostat visit
Call or text (610) 686-9490, or email info@plumbingprospa.com.
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Need this taken care of?
Talk to a licensed technician today. Honest upfront pricing before any work starts, and financing available so a repair does not have to wait.
Master HVAC-R licensed. BBB Accredited A+. 4.9 stars from 650+ Easton and Lehigh Valley homeowners.