You may find it difficult to keep your home temperature cozy despite your best efforts. Your energy bills keep escalating for no reason whatsoever. At this point, you might shift the blame on the entire cooling and heating system.
But before contacting your technician, check on the location of your thermostat. It might surprise you to know that’s where the problem lies.
A thermostat is an essential element in assisting your HVAC unit to preserve the perfect temperature. It is in charge of monitoring your average home temperature. Hence incorrect thermostat placement can yield erroneous readings of your indoor temperature.
Another demerit of wrong thermostat placement is the uncalled-for energy wastage.
So, where should a thermostat be placed?
Let’s find out;
Best Thermostat Placement Guidelines
The fact is you can’t place your thermostat just anywhere. There are guidelines that you should follow when searching for a location to place it.
These will include:
- Reading installation instructions
Ensure that you go through the instructions on the manual before installation. This will protect you from redundant short cycling of the unit and inaccurate readings.
- Ensure that your thermostat is positioned properly
Another thermostat placement guideline is the way it is situated. If it is a smart AC controller or a smart thermostat, it should be located in line with your Wi-Fi.
Also, ensure that the signal strength is powerful for constant connection.
- Avoid heat-generating equipment
Ensure that your thermostat does not collide with appliances such as lamps, TVs, ovens, etc. Your thermostat should always be a stand-alone device, free from interference.
- The thermostat should stay away from cold and hot rooms in the house
If you want your thermostat to take an average temperature reading, avoid installing it in very cold or hot rooms.
- Keep your thermostat away from furniture
You may wonder how furniture affects the operations of a thermostat. Well, furniture blocks air circulation. Do not place your furniture either below or in front of the thermostat.
- Avoid plumbing pipes or supply ducts
Avoid placing your thermostat near them at all costs. Any water or air that is passing via the pipes usually cools or heats the walls around them. This causes the temperatures to differ.
- Be on the lookout when installing sensors
When installing sensors ensure that they are in a place where they cannot be blocked. Avoid areas such as behind the door or bookshelf.
The Best Place for Thermostat
Does thermostat placement affect how it operates? Of course, it does! It affects its efficiency and productivity.
It should be placed in a central area that you frequently use. A place where there is natural air circulation.
The following are the best places for thermostat placement in your home:
- Interior wall
An interior wall is a proper thermostat placement area as opposed to an exterior one. This is because it is not affected by hot or wavering cold temperatures.
Another advantage of placing your thermostat there is that it is an indication of the average temperature of your house.
- The first floor of a two-story structure
It goes without saying that the “higher” the floor, the warmer it becomes. When you install your thermostat upstairs, you tend to assume that the entire house is warm. But in reality, it is not.
Try installing it in a central place downstairs, such as the living area. Placing it here will offer a balanced environment in any two-story home. When installing your thermostat, go for a dual-zone one as it enhances healthier climate control.
- The center of your house
A central area is the best when it comes to reflecting the climate of your house. The main aim of a thermostat is to measure the average temperature of your home. Hence the need to install it in the center of your home.
Another advantage of centralizing your thermostat position is maximizing the accuracy of your thermostat. This will, in turn, ensure that the entire HVAC system is functioning at its best.
Additionally, a central point makes it easy for family members to access the thermostat for reading and changing the temperature or settings.
- Regularly used room
Your frequently used room ought to be as warm and comfortable as possible. Therefore, it is the ideal location to install your thermostat. You will enjoy the warmth or cold coming from your room. Ghost readings shall become something of the past.
Just beware of any sunlight getting into contact with the thermostat or large windows containing cold drafts.
Where not to Place your Thermostat
There are also places where you should not install your thermostat. These include;
- Hot kitchen
Due to the heat generated during cooking activities, this is not a good place for installing your thermostat. If you place it here, you will miss the exact temperature reading.
- Close to the vents
If you place your thermostat below or above a vent, you will get inaccurate readings. The thermostat comes into contact with cold or hot air within the vents hence altering the results of your readings.
- Near windows and doors
Any drafts or direct sunlight coming through your window will mess up the temperature reading of your thermostat. The cold air that emanates from gaps and cracks in the door is also another hindrance to the exact temperature reading.
- An area facing direct sunlight
The blazing and direct sunlight that falls on your thermostat is a big “no”. It messes up the reading big time.
The funny thing is that the sensors will interpret that your room is getting warm, when it is not. This wrong move influences the operation of the unit leading to energy losses.
- Empty hallway
Avoid your hallway as much as you can when it comes to your thermostat placement. A hallway consists of a slim space with little or no circulation of air.
Placing your thermostat here will have an impact on your reading. Moreover, nobody spends time in the hallway since most of the time it is empty.
If you follow the above-mentioned placement guidelines for your thermostat, you will be guaranteed maximum cooling and heating. This will also assist you in saving on your energy bills.
