Do You Need a Thermostat To Use a Furnace?

In order for your furnace to run as efficiently as possible and keep you and your home warm during the colder seasons, it’s crucial that the system itself along with all other necessary components work without a hitch. That begs the question: What is needed for a furnace to operate efficiently? You may be wondering if a thermostat is actually required for use with your furnace. In this blog, our HVAC experts at Ostrom Electrical Plumbing Heating & Air explain how you can use a furnace without a thermostat, but also why you shouldn’t.

Will Your Furnace Work Without a Thermostat?

Technically, yes, you can run a furnace without a thermostat. Furnaces are designed to operate independently of a thermostat, but the thermostat is an additional device that helps regulate when the system turns on and off.

This also depends on the fuel used for your furnace system. If your power is out and you have an electric furnace, you won’t be able to use it even if the thermostat works fine.

How To Test if Your Thermostat Is Synced Up With Your Furnace

There are a few ways to see if your thermostat is properly synced up with your furnace. First, consider your unit’s history. If you’ve had a recent furnace repair or maintenance service, it’s likely that all parts are working as intended.

You can also use a probe or infrared thermometer and compare the readings from it and your thermostat to ensure your systems are synced. It’s important to note that they may not match exactly, but they should be similar.

If you don’t notice strange smells or loud noises from your furnace but it’s not producing the right temperature, it’s probably a thermostat-related issue. Additionally, if your unit’s fan is running when it’s off or the temperature changes on its own, it’s also typically an issue with your thermostat.

How To Test a Furnace Without a Thermostat

Fortunately, you can still run your furnace without needing a thermostat should you rely on a fuel-powered unit for heat. One way to do so is by wire-nutting the white and red wires together; allowing the furnace to run without a thermostat. Another way to achieve this is by installing a piece of equipment that looks like a resistor with two wires to put onto your system; with this, however, you cannot change the temperature to anything outside of a 62-to-65-degree range.

Call Ostrom for Furnace Repairs in Roanoke, VA

When the time comes for required furnace repair services in Roanoke, lean on the professionals at Ostrom Electrical Plumbing Heating & Air. Since 1999, we’ve developed our craft so that we can be there for our community in the best way possible. We provide a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee with every service we provide, and we offer same-day services, upfront pricing with no surprises, and no overtime charges. In addition, we conveniently service all brands and offer free estimates on replacements. Our family-owned and -operated company has received an A+ rating from the BBB, and our team is comprised of licensed, insured, and background-checked technicians for added peace of mind.

For work provided by a timely, clean, and professional company, schedule today with Ostrom!