"Sticky buttons were randomly activating themselves... cleaned it up, problem solved."
Haha, that's classic. Reminds me of when our thermostat started acting possessed last winter. It kept randomly switching from heat to AC in the middle of freezing temps. I was convinced it had to be some complicated wiring issue or maybe even a ghost (hey, you never know). After checking wires and batteries, I finally noticed the thing was just super dusty inside. Quick clean with compressed air and it was back to normal.
Honestly, thermostats are usually pretty straightforward, like you said. But if you've already checked the basics—batteries, dust, loose wires—and it's still acting weird, I'd probably call someone in. HVAC stuff can get expensive fast if you accidentally mess something up trying to DIY beyond your comfort zone. Learned that lesson the hard way with a furnace repair once... ouch.
Yeah, cleaning can help, but are you sure dust alone would cause it to switch modes randomly? I'd be a little skeptical... maybe there's an internal sensor issue or something? I'd probably try cleaning first too, though—HVAC tech visits aren't cheap.
Agreed, dust alone usually won't cause random mode switching. A few things I've noticed from experience:
- Loose wiring connections behind the thermostat can sometimes trigger weird behavior. Worth checking those first.
- Batteries going low (if yours uses them) can also cause random resets or mode changes.
- Occasionally, I've seen thermostats placed near heat sources or drafts causing erratic sensor readings.
Cleaning is a good start, but I'd also give the wiring and battery situation a quick look before calling in a tech.
Good points there—especially about the wiring. I've seen a lot of thermostats act up just because the wires weren't snugged down properly. If you're comfortable, pop off the cover and gently tug each wire to see if anything's loose. Also, double-check the battery contacts for corrosion—had one at home that drove me nuts until I cleaned those contacts. You're on the right track though, probably something minor you can handle yourself...good luck!
Definitely agree about checking the wiring and contacts. Another thing worth considering is dust accumulation around the internal sensors—especially if your thermostat's been there a while. I've seen older units act erratically just because they needed a gentle cleaning with compressed air or a soft brush. Also, make sure it's not placed near direct sunlight or heat sources... you'd be surprised how often that's overlooked and causes false readings. Most thermostat quirks are pretty straightforward fixes.
