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It's often worth replacing your old thermostat with a newer model that can enhance your home's comfort and energy efficiency. Upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat can save you up to $200 per year on energy bills. Plus, smart thermostats offer convenient features like remote control and learning capabilities, making your home more comfortable and easier to manage.

Signs of a bad thermostat include your HVAC system not turning on when it's supposed to or failing to reach the desired temperature. If the thermostat's display is blank or not functioning properly, it could be malfunctioning. Another indicator is the HVAC system running continuously without shutting off or cycling on and off too frequently. You might also notice uneven temperatures throughout your home, with some rooms being too warm or too cold. These issues suggest that the thermostat is failing and may need repair or replacement to ensure your HVAC system operates efficiently.

A thermostat should last between 10 to 20 years, depending on its quality and how well it's maintained. Over time, dust, wiring issues, and general wear can affect its performance. Even if a thermostat is still functioning after 10 years, you might choose to replace it to take advantage of newer energy-saving technologies and smart home integrations. Upgrading to a modern thermostat can improve efficiency, offer more control over your home's climate, and potentially lower energy bills.

The number of thermostats you need depends on your home's size, layout, and heating and cooling zones. In a standard single-zone HVAC system, one thermostat controls the temperature for the entire home. However, larger homes or those with multiple floors might benefit from multiple thermostats linked to a multi-zone HVAC system. This setup can offer better comfort and energy efficiency: It lets you customize the temperature in different areas, so you're only heating or cooling the spaces you're using.

Replacing a thermostat typically takes a professional technician about one to two hours to complete. If you're swapping out an existing thermostat for a similar model with compatible wiring, the process can be done in less than an hour. However, installing a new thermostat that requires additional wiring, such as a smart thermostat, or moving the thermostat to a new location can extend the time to two hours or more. Complex installations may also involve cutting into drywall or integrating with other home systems, which can add to the duration.

There are a few things that can cause your home thermostat to fail. The most simple one is age and cleanliness. Dirt, grease, dust, and other small particles can clog sensors and cause malfunctions in readings. You may also have a failing power supply and loose connections, and the simplest cause is that it isn't installed in the right place in your home so it can't properly sense air temperature. Repairing a thermostat costs around $210.