No one wants to come home to a blank thermostat, especially in the middle of a hot Florida summer — or realistically, a hot Florida winter! Your thermostat is a small but crucial part of your HVAC system. If the screen is blank, you can’t program your cooling and heating settings, which may indicate a serious issue with your system. Or, it could be a minor issue that is easily fixed. It can be difficult to determine why your thermostat went blank, so let’s explore some of the reasons why and what they might mean.
8 Common Reasons Why Your Thermostat Is Blank
1. Thermostat is Off
Although this sounds like an obvious point, make sure to check that your thermostat is actually turned on! This is the first thing you should do if you find your thermostat went blank. It’s always possible, especially if you live with others, that it was turned off on purpose or by accident.
2. Dead Batteries
While some thermostats are wired in with your home’s electrical system, other thermostats are battery-powered. If you have a blank thermostat that is battery-powered, the second thing you should do is replace the batteries to see if that fixes the issue.
3. Low Display Brightness
If your thermostat allows you to adjust the display brightness settings, your thermostat could look like it’s off when the display is very dim. Some thermostats will even auto-dim at certain times of the day or when a lot of light is hitting the display.
4. AC Access Door is Open
All HVAC systems are designed with access doors, which provide just that — easy access to important areas of the system when maintenance work or repairs are needed. Some thermostats, notably Honeywell thermostats, are designed for the display to be blank if the door is not completely closed. If your door is even slightly ajar, make sure to close it tightly and check to see if your thermostat is displaying correctly again.
5. Tripped Float Switch
A float switch is an electric water safety sensor that is connected to your thermostat. Your float switch may automatically shut off your system if it detects high moisture, such as a clogged drain line. Float switches are extremely helpful in preventing water damage to your home. Make sure to check that your float switch is in place before moving on to evaluating the next possible cause.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
Sometimes your thermostat is on the same breaker as other devices, which can result in circuit breaker trips. When the circuit breaker trips, it can power off your thermostat, giving you that blank screen. If you find a breaker that is off and shouldn’t be, you can try resetting the breaker. If you’ve followed the above steps and this step, and it doesn’t bring your thermostat back to life, your thermostat could have wiring problems.
7. Wiring Problems
Your thermostat operates from many electrical connections. These connections serve many functions, including the screen display. You will most often experience wiring problems with a newly installed thermostat, especially if you’ve installed it yourself and are an electrical novice. If you’re not experienced with how wiring and electrical work, and you suspect your thermostat has wiring issues, we strongly recommend calling a professional to diagnose the issue and repair it if needed.
8. Thermostat Needs to be Replaced
If none of the above potential causes for your thermostat to be blank were the culprit, it’s time to call in an HVAC expert. Depending on the issue, it’s possible that your thermostat needs to be replaced. The average life expectancy for a thermostat is about ten years, so if yours is much older than that, you’re likely due for a replacement. Contact your local HVAC professionals and they will determine if your thermostat needs to be replaced.
Is Your Thermostat Blank? Call Complete Air Mechanical
Are you troubled by a blank thermostat? Do you need advice on how to run your HVAC system most efficiently? Concerned about air quality or need assistance with your filters? We’re happy to help!
Call us today at (407) 915-0144 or schedule an appointment online.