The thermostat is an essential part of your HVAC system, even though you may not think of it as having the same role as the air conditioner or the furnace. But without a working thermostat, you can’t communicate to your cooling and heating system, and it won’t be able to sense the temperature.
Modern programmable thermostats use batteries so they can keep their programming saved and also to prevent the controls from shutting down in case of a power outage. They run off AA or AAA alkaline batteries or 3V button-style lithium batteries. We recommend that you change the thermostat batteries once a year. There’s also a warning indicator that will come on when the batteries are low and it’s time to change them. This warning usually goes off a month before the batteries fail, which gives you time to purchase the proper battery replacement before the thermostat stops working.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Batteries in the Thermostat
You might not know where to begin when it comes to changing thermostat batteries. We’ll help you out.
- First, pull the thermostat housing from off the wall-mount plate. You should be able to do this by hand. If it doesn’t pull off, try sliding the housing upward on the mount plate and then pulling it forward.
- You should find the battery remove slot on the other side of the wall housing. Remove the batteries (you may need a flathead screwdriver to pry them out).
- Put in the new batteries in the slot. Make sure to properly align the positive and negative ends. If the thermostat uses lithium batteries, make sure the plus side is face up. Check that the batteries are firmly in place.
- Put the thermostat’s housing back onto the wall plate. Keep the pins on the back of the housing aligned with the terminal screw block. Slide it down until it snaps back into place.
For assistance with any heating needs this winter, call on Bob Mims Heating & Air Conditioning. Serving Staten Island, NY since 1955.
