Does the Placement of Your Thermostat Matter?
October 15, 2021
You’ve heard that programmable thermostats are the best way to save money on your electrical bill. With winter on the way, it’s time to take the plunge and upgrade. You’re wondering if you need to install it in place of the old one. Does the placement of your thermostat matter?
Thermostat Wars
If your family is constantly battling over the setting on the thermostat, you may be tempted to place it somewhere no one can find it.
Unfortunately, even a Smart thermostat can’t sense accurately from a distance. It needs to be placed correctly to work most efficiently.
Why Placement of Your Thermostat Matters
Your thermostat’s job is to measure the temperature and sometimes the humidity of your home’s ambient air. Based on your settings, the thermostat will signal to your HVAC system whether to turn on to heat or cool the air.
If your thermostat can’t get an accurate and average reading, it can’t properly control your heating and air conditioning.
For example, if your thermostat is placed near an exterior door, cold air or hot sunshine may be registered and turn your system on when it’s not necessary.
Where Not To Place Your Thermostat
Trying to figure out a new thermostat — especially a programmable one — is tough enough without complicated rules on where to place one. So, our list is short, sweet, and easy to understand:
Avoid sources of heat or bright sunlight
Don’t place your thermostat near lamps (even LED ones), electronics stations, entertainment centers, kitchens, laundry rooms, and utility closets completely. Don’t place it near radiators, registers, vents, doors, or windows.
Avoid sources of cold
Your new thermostat should not be placed near doors or windows to prevent outdoor cold air in winter from triggering your heater needlessly. Also, avoid placing near AC vents, refrigerators, or freezers.
The Best Place to Install Your Thermostat
Find a central location in your home to install your thermostat. It’s very likely that your old thermostat was ideally placed. So, if your home’s footprint and traffic pattern hasn’t changed, make that location your first consideration.
Choose an interior wall in an area that receives good airflow and plenty of foot traffic. Interior hallways are a good choice, as are centrally located living and family rooms.
Mount the thermostat at eye level to make it easy to read. About 52 to 60 inches is ideal, as rising hot air won’t interfere with its function at that height.
If you’re upgrading to a Smart thermostat, ensure that the device can get a Wi-Fi signal in your chosen location.