November 29, 2023

Where Should The Thermostat Be Placed and Why Does It Matter?

5 min read
Where Should The Thermostat Be Placed and Why Does It Matter?

Did you know that the location of your thermostat has an impact on your home’s heating and cooling costs? Everyone understands how vital the thermostat is in the house. It regulates your home’s heating and cooling system to keep you comfortable all year. Have you examined the location of your thermostat and how it affects how chilly or hot you feel in the winter and summer?

Thermostat placement significantly impacts your HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system’s overall efficiency. If you are experiencing frigid air or a drain on your budget due to a poorly placed thermostat, we are here to help.

A wireless smart thermostat is an essential tool for controlling the temperature in your house, and wrong placement can lead to inaccurate readings and high energy bills. Does the placement of a thermostat matter? Keep reading to learn more.

Thermostat Installation Guidelines

Here are a few general thermostat placement considerations to bear in mind when looking for the best location:

  • See the manufacturer’s installation instructions to minimize incorrect readings and wasted short cycling.
  • Keep your thermostat away from heat sources such as stoves, televisions, and lights.
  • Ensure your ductless wireless smart thermostat and smart AC controller are within Wi-Fi range and that the signal strength is strong enough to maintain a connection.
  • Place your thermostat away from the room with the highest or lowest temperature in your house. Your temperature control device should take an average reading. As a result, it is best to avoid installing in extreme temperatures.
  • It is preferable not to arrange your furniture items in front or beneath the thermostat, as they impede airflow.
  • Place the thermostat away from supply ducts and plumbing lines when water or air moves through the pipes, heating or cooling them, the temperature of the surrounding walls changes.
  • Place the sensors away from any obstructions, such as behind a door or within a bookcase.

Optimal Thermostat Position

The location of a thermostat has an impact on its effectiveness and efficiency. It should be in the center of the room, with lots of natural airflow. Install your thermostat 52 to 60 inches above the ground. It should be placed above 60 to produce high readings and below 52 to have low readings. It is because warm air rises and cool air descends, and the temperature fluctuations will affect the measurement.

Consider using a wireless smart thermostat or a smart AC controller for maximum comfort. They allow you to control your air conditioning from your smartphone, create routines, and maintain the ideal temperature and humidity levels, among other things.

The following regions are suitable for placing your thermostat at home:

A center area more appropriately portrays your home’s climate. Because the thermostat measures the average temperature of your home, it’s best to put it in the middle. Furthermore, placing the thermostat in the center improves its precision, allowing your HVAC system to perform at its best. Moreover, all family members would have easy access to a central location.

The primary goal of acquiring a thermostat and installing it in commonly used rooms is to make your house more comfortable. Your often visited location should be as relaxing as feasible. As a result, it’s an excellent location for your thermostat. No ghost readings will interfere with your thermostat’s performance as it cools or heats your space according to your preferences. Ensure the device isn’t near any huge windows that get a lot of wind or direct sunlight.

One of the finest places to set your thermostat is against an inner wall of your home, where you can be sure of getting the most accurate readings. Inside walls, unlike outside walls, are unaffected by changes in temperature. They also provide a more precise indication of the average temperature in your home. It’s also helpful in setting up a thermostat.

  • The First Floor of A Two-story Building

Because hot air rises, the second level of your home is usually warmer. A thermostat in the second story will provide the misleading impression that the entire house is getting warmer when it is not.

Instead of installing it on the second story, consider placing it in a focal place on the first floor, such as the living room. This location is crucial for a balanced environment in a two-story construction. Installing dual-zone thermostats for better climate control would be ideal.

Thermostat

Where Not To Position A Thermostat

You are in the process of receiving inaccurate readings if you position your thermostat in direct sunlight. If the sun shines directly on your thermostat through a window, it will perceive your home’s temperature to be greater than it is. It will cause your air conditioner to run more than it should, resulting in an unnaturally cool environment and increased energy consumption.

  • Near Air Vents, Drafts, And Heat Generating Equipment:

Air Vents: If your thermostat is close to an air vent, cold air from your air conditioner may blow on it, leading it to misread the temperature. It could cause your air conditioner to short-cycle, which is terrible for the system and your home’s comfort.

Drafts: Drafts can come in through windows, doors, fans, and air vents, affecting the temperature readings on your thermostat.

Heat-generating Equipment: If your thermostat is near heat-generating equipment (especially in the kitchen), it will report warmer temperatures than the rest of your house, causing your air conditioner to operate longer.

Because this is where you are most likely to get an average temperature reading, your thermostat should be in the center of your house. Its temperature data will likely not accurately represent the rest of your home if it is not in a central location, which will be either too hot or too cold.

Allow Experts To Help

The easiest way to figure out where to put your thermostat is to call an expert. By advising you on the best placements for your thermostat and executing a quality installation, professional heating, cooling, and plumbing can help you improve the efficiency of your HVAC system and the comfort of your home.

To determine the ideal thermostat settings for your house, consult our comprehensive guide.

Where Should The Thermostat Be Placed and Why Does It Matter?