When a delay occurs, the display message differs depending on the thermostat model. Under typical working circumstances, this delay may last up to five minutes. To prevent your heating and cooling systems from starting up too rapidly (also referred to as short cycling), which might harm them, a delay is used.
A compressor protection feature (minimum off timer) integrated into the thermostat stops the compressor from starting up too soon after a shutdown. After the compressor shuts off, the minimum off timer begins to run. To prevent equipment damage, the thermostat delays activating the compressor for a few minutes.
A problem with the thermostat’s voltage may exist if the delay lasts more than five minutes. A qualified builder could confirm that the voltage is within a safe range and that no wires are shorted. Please visit our No Cool article here for additional details.
If so, when should you replace your thermostat? With this guide to thermostat upgrades, we hope to assist you in making the best decision for you and your house.
In This Article...
What does “Wait or “Waiting for Equipment mean?
When your Honeywell Thermostat is awaiting equipment, it will display the “Wait or “Waiting for Equipment message.
Your home’s HVAC system is managed by your thermostat. Consequently, it instructs the HVAC system when to begin cooling or heating and when to stop.
It is crucial because it determines how your HVAC system’s compressor will be used.
The Honeywell Thermostat Wait Mechanism’s goal is to maintain appropriate compressor operation in your HVAC system.
You know, it normally takes your HVAC system a few minutes to adjust after being turned on.
It can harm the HVAC system if your thermostat turns on the compressor too soon. Short cycling may be the outcome of this injury.
What is Short Cycling?
Short cycling is a problem with electronic and HVAC equipment. Your HVAC system may abruptly turn on and off when doing short cycling.
This is something that is avoided with Honeywell Thermostats. Thermostats shield the compressor in your HVAC system from damage caused by varying voltage by giving it a few minutes to stabilize.
In order to prevent brief cycling, Honeywell Thermostats offer a special “Wait feature” that makes the HVAC system compressor wait for five minutes.
It’s time to address the issue now that you understand why your thermostat is displaying the Wait message.
Step 1Try Waiting for the Issue to Resolve Itself
All you might need to do is wait up to five minutes for the Honeywell Thermostat Wait warning to be resolved.
Yes, Honeywell Thermostats safeguard your system from serious problems like short cycling and require only five minutes (or even less) to make it ready.
All you have to do is unwind, have a coffee, and get on with your daily activities.
Even sticking oneself to the thermostat is not necessary. Simply leave it alone, and your system will quickly begin operating on its own!
Step 2Change the Batteries
This typically denotes a more serious issue, such as a poor battery. If the Wait notice persists for longer than five minutes, you should start with this.
If the battery in your thermostat is low, it might not have enough power to turn on your HVAC system.
As a result, the Wait notice won’t disappear and your heating and cooling systems will never turn on.
On Honeywell Thermostats, if you look closely, you might see a Low Battery sign.
There are two pieces to your Honeywell thermostat: a cover plate and a base plate (tightly attached to the wall).
Find the thermostat cover plate and remove it. Typically, it will be atop the base plate.
Simply remove the old batteries and put in fresh ones. For Honeywell Thermostats, I’ve put up a more thorough battery replacement instruction.
After changing the batteries, it’s conceivable that your Honeywell thermostat will no longer operate.
You should inspect the wiring if your thermostat relies on 24 VAC rather than batteries.
Step 3Reset the Breakers
If changing the batteries does not solve the problem, you can reset your HVAC system using the circuit breaker.
After that, wait for 10 to 30 seconds before turning them back on, but this time in the opposite direction. Your thermostat’s Wait indication may be a result of problems with the connections or circuits of the equipment.
Step 4Check the Voltage
Sometimes, you may need to reset the equipment circuits and give the preceding technique up to 30 minutes to take effect.
If the problem persists, there may be a short circuit, problems with the wiring, or blown fuses.
As a result, it’s crucial to verify the voltage. But you’ll need a multimeter or voltmeter for that.
However, we advise against doing this unless you are confident handling electronics. If not, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
At this point, there may be numerous electrical issues plaguing your HVAC system, including uneven voltage, broken, incorrect, or loose wiring.
If these problems are not fixed right away, they might result in bigger difficulties. Therefore, it’s wiser to seek professional advice.
How long does a thermostat take to reset?
Thermostat reset The battery can be installed backward for five seconds, a recessed reset button can be pushed with a pin or paper clip, or the thermostat’s breaker can be turned off for 30 seconds to reset the thermostat.
Programmable Thermostat
A battery flip-flop or the removal of the batteries are necessary for resetting a programmable thermostat. The detailed instructions are as follows:
- Put your thermostat in the off position to turn it off.
- Activate the battery door. You might need to take your thermostat down from the wall if the battery door is on the back.
- Take the batteries out.
- For five seconds, place the batteries backward with the negative sides lining up with the positive terminal.
- Take out the reverse batteries and install the correct ones.
- Once the display comes on, your thermostat has been reset, and you can check to see whether the programming, HVAC, or other problems have been resolved.
Line Voltage or Low Voltage Electronic Thermostat
You must clean the parts and test the various settings before you may reset a line voltage or low voltage electronic thermostat. These thermostats are typically used with baseboard heating or direct-wired electric furnaces and do not have digital displays.
The detailed instructions are as follows:
- Get rid of the thermostat cover.
- Utilize a gentle brush to gently clean the interior parts.
- Set the thermostat to the least-effective cooling position.
- Brush the parts once more with a soft cloth.
- Increase the thermostat’s heating setting, then clean the coil once again.
- Set the thermostat to your preferred setting.
3. Digital Thermostat That Cannot Be Programmed
A non-programmable digital thermostat can be reset by simply removing the face and pushing the reset button for five seconds, or by pulling out the batteries for the same amount of time. Your thermostat should reset once either one or both of those actions have been taken.
Mechanical Thermostat
When troubleshooting a mechanical thermostat, you must remove the cover first to check that everything is mounted securely and correctly within. If everything appears to be in order, the circuit breaker might need to be reset. If your thermostat is mechanical, you can tell since they cannot be programmed and must be manually set, turned on, and shut off. They also require you to reset your circuit breaker because they are not battery-operated.
The detailed reset instructions are as follows:
- Locate and shut off the breaker that powers your HVAC system.
- After waiting for 30 seconds, reactivate the breaker.
- Restart your thermostat.
How come my thermostat is set to wait?
A Honeywell thermostat’s “Wait” message indicates that the HVAC system is not yet activated. This protects the compressor in the HVAC system from damage. If everything is in order, “Wait” should vanish in a little while. It will then go back to its regular course.
A thermostat is a tool used to regulate the HVAC system in a building. A thermostat basically instructs the HVAC system when to begin heating or cooling a space and when to stop. The compressor, meanwhile, is among the most crucial components of an HVAC system. The mechanism that circulates the refrigerant required for heat exchange is this one.
A Honeywell thermostat’s Wait feature is intended to maintain the HVAC system compressor’s proper operation. A few minutes are required for an HVAC system to adjust after being turned back on. An HVAC system may sustain harm if the compressor inside of it is turned on too soon. This practice is known as “short cycling.”
Short cycling can be avoided by waiting a few minutes for the compressor to turn on once the HVAC system is turned on. Because of this, the Wait feature is frequently used. The Wait option on the majority of Honeywell Thermostats will shut off the compressor for the HVAC system for five minutes. This is very typical, and the issue ought to be resolved right away.
If the Wait sign is still visible after several minutes, there might be an issue with the thermostat’s ability to receive the required voltage. In that situation, additional troubleshooting could be necessary. To determine whether the applied voltage is within the permitted range, a voltmeter can be used. Additionally, make sure there aren’t any faulty or shorted cables. Sometimes the issue can be resolved by just turning off the HVAC system at the breaker, waiting a few minutes, and then turning it back on.
Why does it take so long for my thermostat to cool?
A dirty air filter is one of the most frequent causes of an AC taking longer to cool your house.
You see, a blocked filter limits the amount of air the air conditioner can circulate into the inside unit to be cooled. As a result, your home will take longer to chill because the AC will need to run longer to draw in enough air.
In addition to longer run times, a dirty air filter might cause issues like:
Check your air filter to see if it is dirty as a solution. Replace it with a fresh one if you see that it’s clogged with dirt and debris.
What happens if I press the thermostat’s reset button?
Resetting the thermostat on your HVAC system is exactly what the reset button is intended to do.
Thermostats are technological items. Additionally, they can run into issues that prohibit them from performing as intended, just like the majority of electrical gadgets.
Your HVAC system may be stuck in the heating or cooling mode or it could be shutting off too soon. By resetting the thermostat, the reset button is intended to address issues like these.
Your HVAC system’s thermostat will be reset when you hit the reset button. Depending on the type of thermostat, it will completely shut off and perhaps reset to factory defaults. It should just take a few seconds to complete the process.
You can change the controls to get the desired indoor temperature after it has finished resetting.
How can I tell if my thermostat needs repair?
Your thermostat may be to blame if your home doesn’t cool off on a hot summer day or heat up on a chilly winter night. We frequently jump to the HVAC system as the culprit, but there are a number of thermostat problems that can also make your system malfunction. At HB Home Service Team, we recognize that it might be challenging to pinpoint the precise cause of your home’s discomfort or inefficiency with regard to the temperature. To assist you figure out whether your thermostat isn’t working and what actions to take to fix it, we’ve put up this helpful guide.
Thermostat Is Powerless
When the screen on your thermostat goes dead, you can be sure that there is a problem. Normally, it should show information about your scheduled schedule as well as the room’s temperature. The batteries are probably dead or the thermostat is having a serious issue if the screen is dark.
2. Inability to Turn On AC or Furnace
Your heater or air conditioner might not be able to switch on if your thermostat isn’t working properly. This usually means that the wiring has failed. The HVAC system often receives information from the thermostat via electrical cables, such as when to turn on and how hot to make your home feel. The AC and furnace, however, are shut off from your thermostat and are unable to operate if the wires have failed.
3. AC or Heater Won’t Turn Off
However, a broken thermostat might also make your HVAC system run continuously. If you discover that your system has been operating continuously for a while, try switching the thermostat’s switch from “on” to “off.” Continuing to use the system when in the “if it is off, it either has defective wiring or isn’t calibrated properly.
4. Thermostat Isn’t Set Properly for the Environment
A properly functioning thermostat ought to reflect the actual temperature that is felt within your home. The room can’t be reliably measured by your thermostat if it seems substantially hotter or colder than the temperature shown on the display.
5. Thermostat Is Unresponsive
Your thermostat should react practically instantly when you change the temperature setting. Most often, a soft clicking sound will be followed by the sound of air moving through the ductwork. A vent can also be touched to test the temperature of the air. Your thermostat might need to be changed if, after making the settings, you don’t hear or feel anything for a minute or two.
Six. Quick Cycling
When your HVAC system shuts off before completing a full cycle of heating or cooling, this is referred to as short cycling. The temperature in your home will nearly never be comfortable with a short cycling HVAC system. Additionally, short cycling consumes a lot of electricity and damages HVAC parts considerably more quickly than a system that can run through full cycles.
7. Thermostat Forgets Pre-Set Settings
A programmable thermostat is made to keep track of your schedule and settings for a protracted period of time. Specifically, it shouldn’t “As long as you don’t decide to change them, forget your settings. As a result, if the thermostat consistently deviates from your schedule, it may need to be replaced because it is becoming unreliable.
Your home’s comfort is mostly dependent on your thermostat. You’ll experience a variety of issues if your thermostat is broken or unreliable, including soaring energy costs and frequent repairs. Fortunately, you can rely on the professionals at HB Home Service Team to fix or upgrade your thermostat. With superior thermostat services, we have assisted local homeowners since our establishment in 1914 in regaining the comfort and effectiveness of their homes.
Additionally, we take great pride in providing excellent heating and cooling services, such as replacement, repair, and routine maintenance. With the help of our duct cleaning service and other tried-and-true methods, we can further improve the indoor air quality in your home. In addition, we can take care of all of your plumbing requirements. You can get all of your plumbing, heating, and cooling requirements taken care of by HB Home Service Team.
How can I repair a thermostat that won’t work?
If the thermostat’s display is dark, there could not be enough electricity. Try changing the batteries first, then look in the electrical panel for a blown fuse or tripped breaker. Make sure the breaker is turned off and remove the cover if the thermostat is still unresponsive. Use canned air or a soft artist brush to remove accumulated debris that can be impairing its functionality if the inside appears unclean. Then check for problems like loose terminal screws or wire, and fix them. Think about switching out the thermostat if the wiring appears to be deteriorated.
This problem may be brought on by dirty thermostat components, so start by cleaning the interior per the guidelines above. A sudden jolt might cause temperature and setting inconsistencies as well as toss a non-digital thermostat off balance. To correct it, raise a carpenter’s level immediately above the apparatus and make the necessary modifications to bring it back to level.
A frozen anticipator is another potential problem with mechanical thermostats. Find the arm that is connected to the circular dial, then gently press it in either way to see if you can free it. If none of these solutions work, think about where the thermostat is placed. If it is installed far from the main living rooms, exposed to heat sources, direct sunshine, or drafts, it might need to be moved.
Investigate those problems first. This could be caused by a filthy or malfunctioning thermostat. An incorrectly calibrated anticipator is another potential explanation. By moving the anticipator lever one notch at a time in the direction of the word “longer on the dial, you might be able to lengthen the cycle. If this doesn’t work, switching to a programmable thermostat might be necessary.
Contact the experts at Stack Heating & Cooling for professional assistance resolving thermostat issues in your northeast Ohio residence.
Our objective is to assist in educating Cleveland, Ohio residents about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Download our free Home Comfort Resource guide for more details on thermostats and other HVAC-related issues.
Step 2:Turn breaker off (to the outside unit)
In your home, locate the breaker for the exterior unit of your air conditioner, and then turn the breaker to the “off” position.
Simply locate the circuit with an air conditioning/HVAC designation by opening the circuit breaker box if you’re having problems (next to it).
Quick Tip: Simply seek for the switch that has been “tripped”that is, the one that has shifted to the neutral positionif you do not see any labels.
Step 3:Wait about 30 seconds
Wait around 30 seconds; your air conditioner won’t reset the internal circuit breaker right away. During this period, the internal breaker (in your Mitsubishi air conditioner) should entirely reset.