Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
When your thermostat says one temperature and you know the room is another, it may be dirty, tilted on the wall, or located where it can’t get a proper reading.
1) Turn the power off to the heating system.
2) Remove the thermostat’s cover.
3) Use a soft brush or vacuum with a brush attachment to gently and carefully remove dust and dirt. If the thermostat has two parallel metal strips, wipe them off with a soft cloth.
4) Look for corrosion. You can try to remove corrosion with electronic contact cleaner. If it’s an outdated thermostat, consider replacing it with a newer model.
5) If you have a mechanical (not electronic/ programmable) thermostat, be sure it is mounted level on the wall. Check it with a small bubble level.
6) A thermostat should be mounted about 5 feet from the floor, located where it can easily sense an air sample that is consistent with room temperatures. This means it should not be put in a corner, behind a door, in a closet, near a window or door, or near a heat source. If it is mounted in one of these spots, consider relocating it. This involves rerouting wires so unless you’re handy with this sort of thing it’s probably better to hire an electrical contractor or heating technician to do the work.
7) If none of these steps works, replace the thermostat.
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