Why is the Thermostat Screen Blank?
When you need to make any changes to the way your HVAC system is operating, there is only one place to turn – the thermostat. Typically, you walk over to the thermostat, tap on the screen or press the buttons, and quickly dial it in as you wish. But what happens when the screen is blank? Why would that be the case and what can you do about it? Let’s jump into a discussion of this frustrating problem below.
Whether you are dealing with a blank thermostat screen or any other kind of issue with your HVAC system, turning to Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric is the right choice. Our experienced team will diagnose any issues you are facing and solve them as quickly as possible, so you can enjoy proper heating and cooling once again. Contact us today.
Try These 5 Possibilities for a Blank Thermostat Screen
You might be surprised to learn that a blank thermostat can actually be caused by a wide range of issues. Some of these are relatively obvious to check, while others might not occur to you at first. If you are staring at a blank thermostat and aren’t quite sure what to do, get started with the points below.
- Check the batteries. This is the easy place to start, as the batteries in your thermostat may have simply run out. While some thermostats will have a warning light to tell you that the batteries are failing, that isn’t always the case. Specifically, if you have been away from home for a while and returned to find that the thermostat was off, it’s quite possible that the batteries are to blame.
- It’s off. Before doing anything else, go ahead and confirm that you didn’t turn off the thermostat. Maybe you have since forgotten. It would be a shame to spend time and effort on other solutions, only to find later that it was off all along.
- Tripped breaker. You could have had an electrical issue in your home and the breaker on your panel could be tripped. This is a quick and easy fix – just flip the breaker back into the on position and the thermostat will hopefully light back up immediately.
- Tripped safety switch. Your HVAC system may have a safety switch that will shut everything down if moisture is detected. Often, this switch will be found under the indoor unit, so check in the attic or closet where your system lives. It might be that the tripped switch is a mistake that needs to be reset, or it could be that there is a moisture problem that needs to be handled. If you see water in the pan under the unit, call Walker for assistance instead of trying to do anything on your own.
- It’s broken. After you have run through the list of other possibilities, you might arrive at the conclusion that your thermostat has simply broken and will need to be replaced. This isn’t a common outcome – thermostats typically last a long time – but it’s always a possibility.
This list is a great place to start your review when you find that the thermostat in your home is completely blank. There are some other possibilities to consider here, as well, including a blown fuse or the door on your furnace being left open. Also, make sure to confirm that the screen is indeed blank. It could be that a bright source of light is washing out the display and causing it to look empty. Close the blinds or shade the screen with your hand to confirm that there is nothing there.
Time to Upgrade?
If you are dealing with regular issues with your thermostat, or if it is simply broken, you might want to upgrade to a new model. Modern thermostats provide many features and benefits that weren’t available in models from years gone by, so you might find that you actually enjoy having a new version that makes it easier to get optimum performance out of your HVAC equipment.
Specifically, if you opt for a smart thermostat, you’ll be able to control the system from your smartphone. This is a significant convenience both while you are home and while you are away. If you need to make some changes to the settings before you get back home from a trip, for example, doing so will require just a few taps on your phone’s screen.
It’s important to address the matter of a blank thermostat right away, as your HVAC system will be beyond your control until you get that component back up and running. If no steps that you can handle on your own are able to resolve the issue, contact Walker Air • Plumbing • Electric today and we will be happy to help.
