Where to Place A Thermostat

Did you know that thermostat placement can affect the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling systems? Placing the thermostat in the wrong spot can make it register the incorrect temperature and leave your home feeling too hot or too cold. Or, because of the thermostat position, it could force the unit to run for longer than necessary. By reading the wrong temperature, it raises your energy bill and strains the unit!

To stay comfortable with the most accurate thermostat reading, consider the following:

• Direct sunlight - direct sunlight makes the thermostat believe it’s warmer in the room than it is. This can cause your unit to either turn on when it should remain off or turn off when it should stay on.
• Near windows and doors - doors and windows can let in drafts, which can cause temperature fluctuations and false readings.
• In or near the kitchen or bathroom - the temperature in the kitchen and bathroom can rise due to heat or steam. This fluctuation causes the thermostat to turn the HVAC unit on or off too frequently, causing strain and reducing the unit’s lifespan.
• Above supply vents or registers - supply vents and registers discharge the heated or conditioned air from your HVAC unit. If your thermostat sits above them, air hits the thermostat before the temperature changes in the room. The thermostat can then shut the unit off too early.
• Near lamps or televisions - lamps and televisions give off heat when in use. Placing your thermostat too near these devices can lead to false temperature readings.
• In the hallway - temperatures can differ from other parts of the house due to decreased air flow and circulation in hallways.

• Center of the home - for the most optimal reading, place the thermostat in a central location on an interior wall on the first floor. Placing it in a central location achieves the most accurate temperature.
• High traffic area - since a thermostat measures the temperature in the room it’s in, you should place it in commonly used rooms, lke a living room or family room.
• Unobstructed - keep the thermostat unobstructed for the most accurate reading. Avoid blocking it with cabinets, bookshelves, or doors.
• 5 feet high - ideal thermostat position falls between 52-60 inches (between 4.3 and 5 feet) high. Any lower and the thermostat could read too cold. Heat rises, so placing it any higher may make the thermostat think it’s too hot.

Keep your home as comfortable as possible with the right thermostat location. In the market for a new thermostat? HomElectrical carries a wide variety of programmable, non-programmable, Smart thermostat with Wi Fi capabilities, and analog thermostat options to meet all your needs.