When temperature inconsistencies occur in your home, it is a common mistake to assume that the culprit is either a faulty HVAC system or a thermostat malfunction. An often overlooked, but important component to helping your heating and cooling system maintain an ideal indoor climate is the placement of your thermostat.
Thermostat placement might seem insignificant, but it is essential to guarantee consistent temperatures throughout the home. After all, your thermostat directs the rest of your HVAC system, and if its sensors are not gauging the accurate temperature of a room, your system will be unable to maintain your ideal indoor climate. There are specific areas in the home in which a thermostat should never be placed (more on that shortly) and will trick the thermostat’s sensors by giving an inaccurate reading of the overall room temperature. When this happens, your system may run unnecessarily or turn off before the room has reached the set temperature. Your system is now running inefficiently, which can be costly and impact your comfort.
Correct Thermostat Placement
It is important to install your thermostat on an interior wall in a central location that you use frequently and has natural air circulation. Installing it about 5 feet above the floor is an ideal height to capture the temperature accurately while still being easily reached.
It is best to avoid the following:
Windows and doors. Cold air entering through cracks and gaps in the doors or windows will cause your thermostat to read the house temperature as much cooler than it actually is. When doors are opened frequently near a thermostat, it exposes it to cold or warm air which causes your HVAC system to cycle on and off without reaching your ideal setting. Radiant heat shining onto the thermostat through windows can result in inaccurate, or “ghost” readings of the room temperature and, again, these false readings affect the heating and cooling system and can lead to wasted energy.
- Rooms with high humidity levels, such as bathrooms or kitchens. Steam from showers or cooking, whether there is ventilation or not, is a surefire way to trip up a thermostat.
- Rooms that frequently fluctuate in temperature. Rooms or areas with a lot of electronics, a washer/dryer, or a fireplace, should be avoided when installing a thermostat. This includes placing thermostats near heat-generating appliances such as televisions, ovens, lamps, etc.
- Attics or cellars. These spaces do not accurately reflect the home’s overall temperature and therefore are not a suitable choice for a thermostat unless this is a separate zone of your HVAC system .
- Near vents. If your thermostat is near the hot or cold air coming from vents, it will not get the accurate reading and will cause your unit to stop working before your home reaches the desired temperature.
- If you are installing a smart thermostat, make sure it is positioned in range of your Wi-Fi and has a strong enough signal to provide a consistent connection.
- Make sure your thermostat is not blocked by furniture (such a bookshelf) or behind a door.
If you still need to figure out if incorrect thermostat placement is the cause of temperature inconsistencies in your home, choosing a trusted professional to make an assessment is the best way to know for sure.
Does your thermostat need relocating? Give our team a call today at 800-696-1088.
If your question isn’t answered here, contact the Pierce Refrigeration team, and one of our experts will guide you in finding your solution.
Need 24-7 emergency service? Looking for advice on improving your everyday air quality and comfort at home and work? Contact the friendly staff at Pierce Refrigeration at 800-696-1088 or email us at: info@piercerefrig.com.