Most people think that the thermostat should be placed in the living room or family room, and it is the main gathering area in a home, and people spend the most time there. The thinking goes that if you are comfortable in these rooms, the whole house will be comfortable.
Your thermostat is essential for keeping your HVAC system at the right temperature. Thermostats keep track of the average temperature in your home and signal your HVAC system to attain your desired temperature. The placement of thermostats is critical since they sense the ambient temperature. Thermostat readings are affected by external factors such as light, cold draughts, and heat.
Incorrect thermostat placement causes inaccurate or ‘ghost’ temperature readings, causing your HVAC system to run too often or infrequently. It can cause increased wear and tear and inconsistency in heating and cooling. Furthermore, it may result in unnecessary energy waste, resulting in high air conditioning bills.
So, where should you put your thermostat, and where should you avoid it? Let’s have a look.
The Best Thermostat Position
The thermostat’s location might have an impact on its function and efficiency. Ideally, it should be placed in a central location that you use regularly and where natural air circulation is possible.
Install your thermostat between 52 and 60 inches above the ground. Placing it above 60 degrees Fahrenheit will produce high readings while placing it below 52 degrees Fahrenheit will provide lower readings. Because hot air rises and cool air lowers, the temperature swings will affect the measurement.
Read more: Newfoundland Power High-Performance Thermostat Rebate
Consider using a smart thermostat or an intelligent AC controller for maximum comforts, like Cielo Breez. They enable you to operate your air conditioning from your phone, create schedules, maintain appropriate temperature and humidity levels, and more!
The following areas in your home would be ideal for this:
1. The Heart of Your Residence
A central area represents your home’s climate better. Because the thermostat gauges your typical home temperature, it’s best to put it in the middle. Furthermore, a central location improves thermostat accuracy, allowing your HVAC system to perform at its peak. Another advantage is that a central location would be easily accessible to all family members.
2. The Room That Is Frequently Used
You want your most-used space to be as relaxing as possible. As a result, it is the optimum location for your thermostat. Your space will be cooled or heated to your preferences, with no ghost readings interfering with the operation of your thermostat. There are no large windows with cold draughts or direct sunlight.
3. On a Wall Within the Home
As opposed to the outside wall, the interior wall is unaffected by changes in temperature. Furthermore, they provide a more accurate representation of your typical house temperature. They’re also an excellent place to start if you need a thermostat installed.
4. In a Two-story Structure, the First Floor
The second level of your home feels warmer because hot air rises. Installing a thermostat upstairs will make it appear as if your entire house is getting warmer when it isn’t.
Instead of putting it up on the second floor, please put it in a central position downstairs, like your living room. Its location is crucial for achieving a balanced environment in a two-story building. Installing dual-zone thermostats for each room would be an ideal solution.
Locations to Avoid
The extreme temperature variations might confuse your thermostat, whether it’s from a frigid blast from the windows or the heat from your kitchen. As a result, reading the ambient temperature of your home will be practically impossible for it. To avoid this, keep your thermostat away from the following areas:
1. Close to the Entrances and Exits of the Building
Direct sunlight or draughts coming in through the windows can make it difficult for your thermostat to read the temperature accurately. Similarly, cold air entering through cracks and gaps in the doors causes your thermostat to think your house is much more relaxed than it is.
Furthermore, installing your thermostat near an exterior door is a big no-no. When you open the door, cold or warm air will contact your thermostat. As a result, your air conditioner will continue to cycle on and off without reaching your desired temperature.
2. Exposure to Direct Sunlight
The bright, glaring sunlight on your thermostat can drastically skew the reading. When sensors detect that your room is becoming warmer, they will signal that your air conditioner should be turned down. This incorrect calculation impacts the operation of your equipment, resulting in energy waste. Even on a frigid day, the sun’s rays might interfere with sensor readings, preventing your heating system from turning on when you need it.
Read more: The Canada Greener Homes Grant
3. The Spiked Kitchen
Because of the heat created by cooking and baking, your kitchen is typically the warmest room in your house. Your thermostat will not be able to acquire an accurate reading if you set it to this setting. Your air conditioner will operate even if you are not using it. On the other hand, your heating system will struggle to keep your home warm, freezing you and your family.
4. Close to the Vents
The vents are one of the things that can cause your thermostat reading to be inaccurate. False readings are caused by placing your intelligent climate control device directly above or below the vents. Because your thermostat is in close touch with hot and cold air from the vents, it cannot provide an accurate measurement. It will cool or heat up faster than the rest of your house, causing your unit to shut off before your house achieves the intended temperature.
5. The House’s Exterior Wall
The outside temperature has a more significant impact on outside walls, especially if they are poorly insulated. Air leakage is caused by cracks and holes in the wall, which might affect the thermostat reading. As a result, installing your thermostat on an interior wall is preferable.
6. Hallway with no One in it
When it comes to thermostat location, your hallway is another no-no. Your thermostat won’t be able to collect accurate measures in a corridor since it is a long, tight space with little to no air movement. Plus, you don’t spend much time there, because it’s usually deserted.
Which room will the thermostat be in?
We don’t recommend placing the thermostat in the coldest room because it won’t accurately reflect the temperature throughout the house.
You need an average reading to work correctly, so putting it in the coldest section of the house would be wrong. If your thermostat detects cold, it will assume your entire home is also cold. As a result, it will tell your boiler to work more, thereby raising your heating expenses.
The thermostat should not be positioned in the hottest part of the house for the same reason. Placing the thermostat in a hot area signals the sensor that the house is too hot, and the boiler responds by turning the heat down when you don’t want it.
Is it Better to have a Thermostat Downstairs or Upstairs?
Because heat rises, the rooms on the second floor will typically seem warmer than those on the first floor.
As a result, an upstairs thermostat may believe your entire home is becoming too hot and begin to cool it down. Instead, place your thermostat in a centrally placed downstairs spot frequently utilized, such as the living room. It will give you a more accurate reading of the average temperature in your home.
What Temperature Should be the Best in Winter and Summer for a Thermostat?
In Canada, the best temperature for winter is usually around 18 degrees Celsius, while the ideal summer temperature is about 24 degrees Celsius. However, since everyone’s needs vary, it’s essential to personalize your thermostat settings. Experiment with different temperatures to see what works best for you and your family.
The thermostats can be adjusted to compensate for the weather outside, so your thermostat can still adopt if it’s cold one day and hot the next. Remember to keep an eye on your energy bills, as they may rise and fall depending on your chosen temperature settings.
How Far Should the TV be from the Thermostat?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on various factors, such as the size of your TV and the type of thermostat you have. Generally speaking, the further away your TV is from your thermostat, the better. Television electromagnetic waves can interfere with the accuracy of your thermostat readings.
If you cannot move your TV, try placing your thermostat on a different wall. If all else fails, try using a surge protector to minimize the impact of the electromagnetic waves.
Should the Thermostat be Near the Return Air?
No, it is unnecessary to have your thermostat near the return air. The return air is simply the path that the cooled or heated air takes as it returns to the furnace or air conditioner. Placing your thermostat near the return air will not improve its accuracy, and it may hinder its performance, as the return air can be pretty dusty.
Instead, try to place your thermostat in a central location where it will get an accurate reading of the average temperature in your home. It is typically near the living room or in a hallway.
Is It Necessary to Have Two Thermostats?
Although two thermostats are not required, several homes have one on each story. Keep in mind that installing a thermostat will necessitate electrical work or hiring an electrician. If you have two thermostats, they must be connected to the same control panel.
The control panel controls the dampers inside your forced-air system’s ductwork. They open and close inside the ductwork to get the temperature to the correct reading on each thermostat. It is quite acceptable to keep only one if you do not already have two.
What Should the Thermostat’s Height be?
The thermostat for a two-story house should be mounted on the first floor, high on the wall. Keeping it in the most central section of the house helps maintain the most consistent temperature.
The suggested height for placing the thermostat in a single-story home is 60 inches/5 feet. It provides an accurate temperature reading while remaining within reach of the ordinary person and out of reach of most younger children’s little fingers.
Is It Difficult to Change Your Thermostat?
You’ll always deal with electricity, wiring, and possibly dangerous procedures. If you’re familiar with electricity, you’ll notice that some folks have adjusted their thermostat.
The terms “moving” and “replacement” are not interchangeable. Almost anyone can securely replace their thermostat by following a few simple steps.
When you talk about bringing everything together now, you’re discovering cables behind your wall, turning off the electricity, potentially opening one of your walls to access the wires, and then shifting them to somewhere else behind another wall.
What Are Some of the Best Brands of Thermostats in Canada?
Some of the best brands of thermostats in Canada are Honeywell, Nest, Ecobee, and Carrier. They all offer a variety of models with different features, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase.
Some More Placement Instructions for Thermostats
Here are some general thermostat placement considerations to keep in mind when looking for the perfect spot:
- Read the manufacturer’s installation instructions to avoid ghost readings and wasteful short cycling of your equipment.
- Heat-generating appliances, such as ovens, televisions, and lamps should be kept away from your thermostat.
- Ensure that a smart thermostat or an intelligent AC controller for ductless units is within Wi-Fi range. The signal strength is strong enough to maintain a continual connection.
- Install your thermostat in a room that isn’t the warmest or coldest in your house. You want the average reading from your temperature control system. As a result, it’s best to stay away from places with excessive temperatures.
- Because your furniture items obstruct air circulation, it’s best not to place them in front of or below the thermostat.
- Place your thermostat away from supply ducts and plumbing lines. The movement of water or air through the pipes heats or cools the walls around them, generating temperature fluctuations.
- Install the sensors where they won’t be blocked, such as behind a door or bookcase.
The Bottom Line
A thermostat must be placed in a central area, away from direct sunlight, draughts, doorways, windows, and other places where the temperature changes. You can ensure optimal heating and cooling to maximize energy savings by following the thermostat mentioned above positioning instructions.
As you can see, there are a few key places you should avoid when positioning your thermostat. If you can keep it out of the sun and away from exterior walls, you’ll be able to save on your energy bill in the long run. Please place it in an area where people spend a lot of time, like the living room or bedroom, for accurate readings.
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