You expect your furnace to heat your home to your desired temperature and keep it consistent throughout your home. However, sometimes your furnace seems to have a mind of its own. If it has been acting strange as if it has its own mind, or it has not been acting right at all, then it may be due to your thermostat. Thermostats are basically your furnace's brain and if there's a problem in that component, then the whole system can fail to work. Here are some signs that your furnace's thermostat needs to be checked out.

Programming isn't holding

If your thermostat is wired into your heating or air conditioning system, then it may be vulnerable to fluctuations in power. Most newer thermostats use batteries as a backup so that power outages and power fluctuations don't affect the thermostat's settings. If you have an older thermostat and live in an area with a lot of power outages, or you have other electrical issues in your home, then it may be a good idea to install a new one with a battery.

Heating is erratic through your home

When your thermostat is having problems, it could cause your furnace to turn on and off regardless of the temperature you set it at. Sometimes, the parts of the house closest to your furnace will be warm while those parts further away will be freezing. If your thermostat or heating system is still fairly new, then all you may need is a checkup to clean out the dust and check your filters and thermostat housing. If your system is old, then it may be time to replace your thermostat if your furnace is otherwise working normally.

Your furnace won't turn on or off

Just as your thermostat can cause your furnace to go on and off at odd times, or fail to keep the programmed temperature, it can also be the reason why the heat won't turn on or off at all. This may be because of something simple such as someone accidentally pushed the wrong setting, but if you check the settings and everything is set the way you like it, then it may be that you have to replace the thermostat.

Many times, these problems can be remedied by having your furnace and thermostat checked on a regular basis. Sometimes, all that is needed is a cleaning or repairing of a wire, or installing a new thermostat with a battery. In other cases, it could be that the thermostat is in a bad location, especially if you just had it installed. However, some erratic heating problems can be a sign of something more serious going on with your furnace. Before taking apart or replacing your thermostat yourself, have it, your furnace and wiring checked out by a professional like Shakley Mechanical Inc.