You should always pay attention to the lights on your thermostat as it is the device’s way of communicating with you.
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Your White Rodgers thermostat will be blinking COOL when it’s in delay mode – this safety feature protects the unit from short-cycling and the message should stop blinking in 5 minutes. This might not happen, in case the thermostat has low batteries or there is a lack of power.
Why Is Cool On Flashing on My Thermostat?
Usually, COOL ON means that the air conditioner is getting ready to start working. The light should turn off in about 5 minutes and the unit will begin to operate just like it normally would.
This 5-minute period is, basically, a safety feature that helps protect the compressor. The same is true for the ‘heat on’ message – the system simply needs a few minutes to switch between the settings without putting too much pressure on its components.
Read: Temperature Thermostat Problems
White Rodgers Thermostat Blinking Cool
If your White Rodgers thermostat continues to blink even after 5 minutes have passed, then there might be something wrong with the unit.
Here are the most common reasons that can cause the COOL ON message to flash:
- Low batteries – some thermostats do not have a designated battery indicator, so they might use the COOL ON message to tell you that fresh batteries are needed.
- Lack of power to the system – check the circuit breaker.
- There is an issue with the 24V signal to the thermostat – this might happen due to a loose or damaged wire.
What Does the Snowflake Mean on AC?
A flashing snowflake might mean the same thing as the COOL ON message – the system is going through a 5-minute delay and will soon come back to normal operation.
The actual symbol usually gets displayed on the thermostat when the system is in cooling mode.
Read: Benefits Of A Programmable Thermostat
Why Is My White Rodgers Thermostat Blinking Snowflake?
A flashing snowflake indicates that the system in is delay mode.
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If the symbol started blinking right after the initial installation, then the chances are high that the thermostat has not been installed correctly.
If you are sure that the thermostat is not in delay mode, then the snowflake could be blinking because of worn-out batteries or a software glitch. This can also happen, if the airflow is severely restricted, so you might have to change the air filter.
What Do I Do If My AC Isnt Blowing Cold Air?
- Make sure that the fan is not set to ON.
- Ensure that the unit is getting power.
- Replace the dirty air filter.
- Clean the area around the outside unit.
- Clean the coils and check the refrigerant level, if there is ice buildup.
- Unclog the drain pipe.
Read: No Power To The Home Temperature Thermostat – Troubleshooting Guide
Thermostat Blinking Cool On, But No Air
If the COOL ON message is still flashing even after 5 minutes have passed, then you can try troubleshooting the thermostat.
- Set the thermostat to the lowest possible temperature.
- Double-check the thermostat settings – a power outage might have forced your device to switch back to set-up mode. Choose your preferred settings and don’t forget to set the time.
- Replace the batteries.
- Check all the plugs, switches, and breakers.
- Change the air filter, if needed.
- Have a look at the unit’s coils and clean them, if necessary.
- After going through these steps, you might want to reset the thermostat.
Should I Turn Off My AC If It Is Not Cooling?
If the air conditioner keeps tripping the breaker or you suspect a refrigerant leak, a fan motor issue, or an electrical issue, then you should definitely turn your unit off.
Ask a professional to deal with the problem as soon as possible. Keeping the air conditioner running might cause damage to the unit’s components; in the worst-case scenario, a malfunctioning HVAC system can become a safety hazard.
Why Is My Outside AC Blowing Cold Air?
Insufficient airflow could be to blame. If the filters are dirty, the air cannot properly flow over the condenser coil.
As a result, the temperature of the element is going to drop and the coil will freeze.
A low level of refrigerant, loose wires, a malfunctioning thermostat, and issues with the capacitor can also make your outside unit blow cold air.
Heat Light Blinking on Thermostat
The thermostat has an emergency heat light that can start blinking even when the emergency heat is not on. This might indicate that the outdoor unit had shut itself down.
In such a case, the indoor unit will continue to run as it doesn’t really ‘know’ that there is a problem with the outdoor unit. Extreme weather conditions, a bad fan motor, a dirty coil, and a few other things can make the outdoor unit shut down.
Resetting the whole system usually helps.
Thermostat Flashing Between Time and Temperature
If your White Rodgers Superstat Pro thermostat is flashing between temperature and time, then there is nothing to worry about – this is how the unit operates.
Read: HVAC Thermostat Problems
How Do I Fix My White Rodgers Thermostat?
- Check the power supply.
- Check for a blown fuse (inspect all the fuses that your unit uses).
- Test the heating function and then the cooling function (the thermostat should ‘click’ in both cases).
- Check the thermostat’s wiring and replace the batteries, if needed.
- Replace the air filter.
- Check the HVAC system (the coolant pipes, the compressor, and air vents).
- Reset the thermostat.
How to Reset a White Rodgers Thermostat?
All you would have to do is press the ‘up’ or ‘down’ and the ‘time’ buttons simultaneously and wait for the display to go blank and then turn back on.
Does White Rodgers Thermostat Need Batteries?
Not all models are battery-operated. Those that are, usually require three AA alkaline batteries to operate.
Tip: don’t forget to remove the battery tag once you get a new thermostat installed.
How Do You Reset a White Rodgers Thermostat After Changing the Battery?
The thermostat should reset automatically, once you put the batteries back in.
You can also choose to trigger a hard reset:
- Once you remove the cover plate, remove each wires from the R and C terminals.
- Take the batteries out for around 2 minutes.
- Put the batteries back in, and replace the wires and the cover plate.
Why Does My White Rodgers Thermostat Reset Itself?
If the thermostat is changing the settings randomly, then it’s not resetting. It looks like there is a programming error that an expert would have to take care of.
If your programmable thermostat resets in accordance with a certain pattern, then you would have to press the HOLD button, once you set your preferred temperature.
Choose PERMANENT HOLD. This will lock the temperature settings and only you will be able to manually change them.
What Does Wait Permanent Hold Mean on Thermostat?
PERMANENT HOLD allows you to keep the thermostat at a chosen temperature setting.
If you have a TEMPORARY HOLD, then the temperature setting will change during the next period (wake, sleep, leave, return).
When Should I Reset My Thermostat?
You should always reset your thermostat after a power outage. However, you might also find that resetting the device helps you deal with a wide range of thermostat-related problems.
So, if your device is experiencing a minor malfunctioning, then you can try resetting it.
Read: Why Does The Room Temperature Not Match The Thermostat Setting?
Why Is My Thermostat in Delay Mode?
Delay mode is actually a good thing. This safety feature prevents your HVAC equipment from coming on too quickly (short cycling can cause damage to the unit).
If everything is ok, your equipment will go out of delay mode in only 5 minutes.
Can I Override Recovery Mode on My Thermostat?
You can disable the recovery mode in the device’s settings. You can also choose to run the mode only on certain days (instead of permanently disabling it).