When your Comfort Zone heaters thermostat is not working properly, it will often give you inconsistent room temperatures. I have been there myself, and I’ll show you how I fixed this issue.
The good news is that it’s easy to do, won’t take much time, and anyone with basic electrical knowledge can do it. Follow the steps I tell you, and your thermostat problem will also be fixed.
Comfort Zone Heaters Thermostat Not Working? Here’s How I Solved It A to Z
Before diving deep into the issue, let’s understand how a Comfort Zone thermostat works and why it’s important. Trust me, it’ll make it much easier for you to understand the problem and the solutions when you know it.
So, how does a comfort zone thermostat work? Like any other thermostat, it takes the reading of the room temperature. It transfers that reading to the control board of the unit. Based on that temperature reading, the heater cycles on and off to maintain the desired temperature.
There are also some models of Comfort Zone heaters that have adjustable knobs marked with settings like “Low,” “Medium,” and “High”. You get even more flexibility from them. But all in all, that’s how a thermostat works.
Here’s a full breakdown of how it works together with the control unit to give out the temperature you want:
- The thermostat takes the reading of the current room temperature.
- It passes that information to the control board.
- The control board gets the current reading and compares it to the desired temperature.
- The control board powers the heater on or off depending on the difference between the desired and the current temperature.
- Steps 1-4 get repeated in a feedback loop, and that’s how the heater works.
How Do I Check My Thermostat?
I’ll show you exactly how you can tell if the thermostat doesn’t work properly. By now, you know that your heater won’t function properly if the thermostat fails. The sensor of the thermostat reads the temperature.
The main thing you’d have to check is if the reading is correct. You can do it by comparing it to the temperature gauged by another thermostat. In short, you’ll need an external thermometer and compare the reading of the thermostat with it. If the readings are very similar, the thermostat is fine.
But if there’s a significant difference between the two readings, you have a bad thermostat. You can also increase your desired temperature outcome and see how the thermostat reacts to see if it does a good enough job for you. If there’s frequent power cycling, that’s a sign that you have to fix your thermostat.
How Do You Fix A Bad Thermostat?
Here’s the thing with Comfort Zone heater thermostats. When you place them a little high up in the room, they don’t detect the temperature correctly. And that’s what messes up the operation of your heater.
I’ve seen it happen many times with my own Comfort Zone heater. The heater kept turning off too soon because the thermostat read the wrong temperature. It showed the temperature to be 75°F even though in reality, it was only 55°F.
When the thermostat reads a higher temperature than the actual one, it won’t push the heater to the level needed to achieve the desired temperature. So, why is the thermostat not working properly in this case?
It’s most likely due to the position. And believe it or not, fixing it is actually quite easy. I moved the thermostat wire down to solve the issue. When you do that, it’ll automatically get a better reading.
So, how do you do that? It’s simple – locate the thermostat wire at the back of your heater. It should be zip-tied together. So, you’d have to undo the 4 screws and remove the back grate.
Then, snip the zip ties, and let the thermostat wire hang lower to measure the real air temperature better. It should have about 6-8 inches of slack when you do this correctly. You’ll know that your thermostat is working better if it prevents the short cycling of your heater.
How To Clean A Thermostat
It’s not that common that a Comfort Zone malfunctions due to being dirty. But you have to double-check just to be sure. And it can’t hurt to clean it. Follow these steps to clean the thermostat:
- Turn off and unplug the heater.
- Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the thermostat area.
- Avoid using water or cleaning agents, as moisture can damage electrical components.
That’s all you need to clean it. Remember that regular maintenance can prevent a lot of issues in your heater. So, always follow the care guide and your manual to use your heater efficiently.
How to Replace the Thermostat in a Comfort Zone Heater
If you have a functional thermostat, placing the wires down or cleaning it will fix the issue for you. But when the thermostat is really bad, your only option is to replace it.
As mentioned, the biggest sign of having a bad thermostat is frequent power cycling of the heater. That’s how you can really tell that the sensor of the heater is messed up.
In extreme cases, when it reads the temperature to be too high, it can trigger the safety limit. This feature is called the thermal cutoff. Your heater won’t even power on in such cases due to a bad thermostat.
So, a complete Comfort Zone heater thermostat replacement is required to remedy this situation. The most important thing is to find the right part for you. There are many brands you can go for.
It is very important to check the heater voltage. Make sure the amperage of the new thermostat is at a similar range. When you pick the right part, you can start with the replacement process.
Step 01 – Access The Thermostat
Start by turning off the power to the heater. Ensure the heater is unplugged or disconnected from the power source to prevent electrical shock. Then, wait for the heater to cool down completely before proceeding.
Depending on your model, you may need to remove screws or clips to access the internal components. I had to remove four screws to get access to mine.
Then, you have to locate the thermostat. It’s normally situated near the control panel or attached to the heating element.
Step 02 – Remove The Old Thermostat
You may be thinking – How do I remove a thermostat? Don’t worry, because it’s actually quite easy. Before you start taking it apart, take a picture of the correct wiring setup. It’ll help you a great deal when you put everything back together later.
Carefully detach the wires from the thermostat terminals. Unscrew or unclip the thermostat from its mounting position.
Step 03 – Install The New Thermostat
Place the new thermostat in the same location as the old one. Attach the wires to the right terminals on the new thermostat. Use the picture you took earlier to make sure everything is in the right order. Screw or clip the thermostat into place depending on the model of your unit.
Then, it’s time to test the thermostat. Secure any panels or covers that were removed. Restore the power to the heater and turn it on. When you find your Comfort Zone heater thermostat not working but the light is on, it means the heater at least has power.
So, maybe you made a mistake in the installation process. In that case, you’d have to go through the installation steps again. But if you did things the right way, it should work correctly and get to your desired temperature.
FAQs
Can a heater work without a thermostat?
Most Comfort Zone heaters have built-in thermostats. While it’s possible to bypass the thermostat, it’s not recommended as it can lead to overheating and safety risks.
Can I replace my thermostat with any thermostat?
No, you can’t. The replacement part has to be compatible with the heater. The new thermostat should match the heater’s voltage and wiring. Check the manual to get a better understanding of the right thermostat for you.
Do thermostats have batteries?
Most Comfort Zone heater thermostats are mechanical. So, they don’t require and don’t have any batteries. However, if your model includes a remote control, it likely uses AAA batteries.
Why is the thermostat not working?
The most common reasons why a thermostat won’t work are due to a bad sensor, damaged wiring, or mechanical failure of any of the internal components.
What is a common problem with a thermostat?
A frequent issue with Comfort Zone heater thermostats is inaccurate temperature readings. This can cause the heater to cycle on and off improperly, and cause inconsistent room temperatures.
Can you replace a thermostat yourself?
Yes, anyone with basic electrical knowledge can replace Comfort Zone thermostats. However, make sure you have the right replacement part and always turn off the heater before starting.
Can a thermostat get wet?
Thermostats are always supposed to be dry. If they are exposed to water, they would malfunction. Most likely, it’ll be permanently damaged. So, place your heater in a dry environment and avoid cleaning liquids.
Conclusion
Now you know the main reasons behind your Comfort Zone heater thermostat not working and how you can fix it. If your heater is placed somewhere high, then just bring the wires down. That’ll solve your issue 99% of the time.
But if bringing the wires down or cleaning them doesn’t do the trick, then you’d have to replace the thermostat altogether. Be patient while you do this and follow the safety precautions. Then, you’ll be fine. If your Comfort Zone heater gives off a burning smell, I have a guide to fix that. Check it out!
