The thermostat is the only part of the heating and air conditioning systems you really interact with. So by now, you may have gotten used to the settings or perhaps the little peculiarities of the controls. Many people keep the same thermostat around for years, even after major heating repairs or even system replacements.
But if you have an older thermostat that has not been replaced for quite a while—perhaps not since before you moved in—it’s time to consider moving on. You can get a thermostat that is much easier to navigate or has far more options than you’re working with now.
It’s something you may try to put off for as long as you can. Having to replace an older heating system may not be the ideal situation to find yourself in, but it’s important to recognize it when it comes. If you continue to run a furnace or boiler on the verge of a breakdown, it may fail when you really need it, and it probably costs a lot to run anyway.