Does this mean it's time to replace the thermostat?

[Kroze]

The thermostat said that my house is 77 degrees but it's freezing inside. I have to turn the thermostat to 80+ degrees to feel some what warm inside the house. Does this mean that I have to go out and get a new thermostat? If so, do you recommend me getting a programmable one that let you adjust temperature at different time of the day?

 

[Vette73]

the programmable ones you can get as low as $30 or so. Just make sure you read the label as you have to get a different one for some systems.

Also good tiem to check/replace the filter. use the cheapest pleated ones you can get.

 

[Kroze]

So does it mean that the thermostat is bad even though I can still adjust the temperature? I have to adjust it to 80+ degrees to feel warm inside the house.

 

[sdifox]

err, did you try using a thermostat to test the temperature near the one controlling your furnace? Maybe it is correct and you have a very drafty place.

 

[Kroze]

You're right, I think one of the heating vent is aimed toward the thermostat unit. That may have caused it to give an incorrect reading compare to the rest of the house.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Kroze
You're right, I think one of the heating vent is aimed toward the thermostat unit. That may have caused it to give an incorrect reading compare to the rest of the house.

just slap one of those redirectors on it. Hopefully that fixes the problem. Heat Shrink wrapping window frames are good ideas too, but the payback depends on how many windows you got and how drafty they get.

 

[dullard]

Many thermostats also are gravity based. Thus, if they aren't perfectly level, their temperature setting can easilly change by ~5°F. Check to see if rotating it a bit helps (if you can). It may just have been bumped out of position.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: dullard
Many thermostats also are gravity based. Thus, if they aren't perfectly level, their temperature setting can easilly change by ~5°F. Check to see if rotating it a bit helps (if you can). It may just have been bumped out of position.

Those would be the mercury in a vial type yes?

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: sdifox
Those would be the mercury in a vial type yes?

Yes.