Keeping your thermostat clean is an essential part of keeping your home comfortable and reducing energy costs.
A dirty thermostat can cause inaccurate readings, resulting in a heating or cooling system working harder than it needs to. Fortunately, cleaning a thermostat doesn’t require any special tools or skills – just patience and the right supplies.
With the proper safety precautions taken, you can easily clean even the dirtiest of thermostats in no time at all. In this guide, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to clean a thermostat for optimal performance.
Here’s How to Clean a Thermostat
- Step 1:
Remove the cover of the thermostat, making sure to not touch any of its electrical components.
- Step 2:
Take a soft cloth and wipe down the surface of the thermostat gently. Use a slightly dampened cloth if stubborn dirt or dust won’t come off.
Make sure to avoid getting any moisture into the electrical parts as this could cause damage.
- Step 3:
Dust the thermostat’s internal components gently with a clean, soft paintbrush. You can also use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean up any sticky or gummy residue that may have accumulated over time.
- Step 4:
Check the thermostat for frayed or damaged wires, and connections, and repair or replace as needed.
If you’re not familiar with the wiring of your thermostat, we suggest checking out our guide on “thermostat wiring“ to get the hang of it.
If your thermostat has removable covers, take them off to expose the full surface area of the thermostat so that it can be easily wiped down.
- Step 5:
It is important to change the batteries in a thermostat regularly. This will help ensure that it remains accurate and efficient. To do this, locate the battery compartment on the back of the thermostat and remove the old batteries.
Replace them with new ones of the same type and make sure they are installed correctly.
Note: There is no need to clean the interior of the unit as these are self-contained units with sealed cases. However, if you have an older model, then you’ll want to take some steps to ensure that it is properly cleaned and maintained.
Conclusion
Cleaning your thermostat is an important step to ensure that it functions properly and accurately.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can keep your thermostat clean and running smoothly.
Be sure to use caution when cleaning any electrical device so as not to cause damage or injury. With regular maintenance, you’ll be able to enjoy a comfortable temperature year round without worry!
