How to Reset a Thermostat in Your Home | GS Home Services (2024)

Whenever an HVAC system starts to act up, resetting the thermostat is often times one of the first things to do. Similar to other electronics, like computers, a reset can restart the device and eliminate any problems. The following circ*mstances are common reasons why thermostats need to be reset:

• There has been a power outage
• The batteries have been changed
• HVAC filters have been cleaned or replaced
• Someone has changed the desired settings of the thermostat
• Electric bills are increasing
• The thermostat has died
• The settings of the thermostat need to be changed.

To reset a programmable thermostat, you need to remove the batteries or change their direction for a short period:

• Turn off the thermostat by switching the power switch to the off position.
• Remove the battery panel which may require the entire thermostat to be removed from the wall.
• Take out the batteries.
• Flip the batteries so that the positive ends of the battery line up with the negative terminal for 5 seconds
• Flip the batteries back into their normal operating position.
• Once the thermostat is turned back on, the display should reactivate, and the factory settings should be reset.

Line voltage or low voltage electronic thermostats typically do not have a digital display, but newer versions have come out that do. They are often associated with direct wired electric furnaces or baseboard heating. Low voltage thermostats come in single stage and multistage versions. The single stage functions with heating elements while the multistage functions with both heating and cooling elements. To reset these types of thermostats, individuals must:

• Take off the cover of the thermostat
• Gently clean the inside components with a soft bristle brush like a paint brush
• Set the thermostat to the lowest temperature setting
• Clean the components again using the soft bristle brush
• Set the thermostat to the highest temperature setting
• Clean the components again using the soft bristle brush
• Set the temperature to the desired temperature to check if it has been reset

If the thermostat is acting up and resetting it does not resolve the problem, there may be other issues that need to be addressed. The following are all thermostat problems that may need further inspection and possible repair.

• Debris or corrosion. If the thermostat is extremely dirty, it could prompt a connection problem. Debris buildup can prevent wiring from making contact with terminals and by simply cleaning the thermostat, this problem can be resolved. This may require the thermostat to be unmounted to clean properly but this should be easy enough with a screwdriver. Cleaning out the thermostat can be done using a soft brush and a vacuum. If there is corrosion, then the corrosion can be removed with electronic contact cleaner.
• Power and wiring. If the thermostat is still not working after it has been thoroughly cleaned, there may be another source of power failure. This might be due to dead batteries or faulty wiring. If replacing the batteries does not return power, be sure to check the wiring using voltage meter. If one is not accessible, there is an alternate way to test power. Each wire is labeled with a corresponding letter: R = power W = heating Y = cooling G = fan
• Connect the power wire to the other 3 wires, one at a time to see if any of the components start up. If they fail to turn on, there is likely a power failure that would require professional help to fix.
• If you are operating with a mechanical thermostat, it will have a component called a heat anticipator. This element sets the desired room temperature and turns the furnace on or off when it is needed. If the heat anticipator is malfunctioning, it will cause the furnace to not work when needed. Fixing this can be complicated and time consuming and may require professional assistance if a few attempts to fix it yourself do not work. To attempt a reset, move the calibration arm on top of the anticipator closer to where it is marked “longer” if the furnace is short cycling and away from the mark if the heater is not reaching the desired temperature. Let the furnace run for a few hours to see if the problem is fixed and repeat the process as necessary.

To save money on energy bills, be sure to follow these thermostat best practices:

• Maintain a regular temperature. It helps save money by not cycling the HVAC system on and off on full blast when you need it. These systems work much more efficiently if they can maintain a solid temperature over a long period of time.
• Don’t overwork the HVAC system. Keeping a room constantly cold or hot keeps the HVAC system operating at maximum effort. This overworks the system causing a shortened lifespan and much more maintenance. Turn your thermostat to reasonable levels so the HVAC system is used optimally.
• Program the thermostat. Modern thermostats can be set so they turn on and off at certain times. If there is a consistent schedule when the family is away from the home, the thermostat can be programmed to not be in use. The same function can also be used to pre activate the HVAC system so a home is comfortable when individuals return home.

• How do you manually reset a thermostat?

  Manually resetting a thermostat depends on the type of thermostat you are resetting. Most of the time, it can be done by cutting the power source by either removing the batteries for a short period or turning of the breaker to the thermostat. Other easy ways to reset a thermostat include pressing the reset button when one is available.

• Where is the reset button on a pro thermostat?

  The reset button on a thermostat is usually found under the thermostat panel. This panel can typically be opened or removed. Sometimes the button is extremely small and may require something like a paperclip to push down. Hold the reset button for 5 seconds to reset the thermostat.

• What happens when you reset a thermostat?

  Resetting a thermostat set the thermostat to its default factory settings. This removes any programming that may have been used prior to resetting.