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ZDNET Highlights
- Avoid direct sunlight to prevent your home air conditioning system from overworking.
- Drafts near windows cause excessive heating; Avoid placing the thermostat there.
- For best results, place the thermostat on a central interior wall.
Have you ever found yourself in a thermostat tug-of-war? One room feels like a sauna, another like an icebox, while your trusty thermostat claims your home is a perfectly average and comfortable 72 degrees?
The truth is, you’re probably not imagining things, and the culprit could be right there hanging on your wall. As it turns out, where your thermostat is located can make a huge difference in both your comfort and your energy bills.
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Chances are, your thermostat is not located in the optimal location for accurate whole house temperature readings. In a way, your thermostat is the brain of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. It senses the temperature of the air and tells your system when to kick in and when to take a break.
But what if it’s getting an odd version of reality? According to experts, this is a common scenario, and it is likely to cost you money. Here are some tips on where you should avoid installing your thermostat and what are the best places to do it instead.
1. Don’t go too close to the sun
One of the biggest mistakes is placing your thermostat in direct sunlight. Imagine your thermostat is sunbathing in a warm, sunny location. It will appear that the room is warmer than it actually is. As a result, this will keep your air conditioning running overtime, even if the rest of the house is perfectly comfortable or cool. You end up cooling your home excessively and wasting energy – a double whammy for your wallet and the environment.
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Similarly, placing the thermostat too close to heat-producing appliances is inefficient. This could be near a kitchen oven, a frequently used television, or even a heat-producing lamp. These “hot spots” can trick your thermostat into thinking the ambient temperature is higher, causing your AC to work harder than necessary.
Conversely, in the winter, it may signal your heating system not to turn on early enough, leaving you in the cold.
2. Draft places are another forbidden place
If your thermostat is near a poorly sealed window, a frequently opened exterior door, or even a particularly windy hallway, it will register a cooler temperature than the rest of your living space. This can cause your heating system to run excessively during the colder months, as it constantly tries to heat the area where there is a constant blast of cold air.
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What about those lonely, unused rooms? Putting a thermostat in a spare bedroom that’s usually closed off means your entire home’s climate control is being dictated from a place that doesn’t reflect your actual living situation. If that room is naturally cooler or warmer than the rest of the house, your HVAC system will be fighting a losing battle to achieve a temperature that doesn’t represent the temperature where you actually spend your time.
3. Ideal installation area
so where Needed Is this important piece of home technology live? The ideal location is on an interior wall, in a frequently used room – such as a living room or central hallway that experiences good air flow and a consistent temperature.
It should be installed about 52 to 60 inches from the floor to effectively sense the average room temperature, away from the above culprits: direct sunlight, drafts, and direct heat sources.
Think of it as finding the most “average” spot in your home. You want your thermostat to get an accurate sense of your home’s overall climate, not an extreme reading from some strange corner.
Taking action may seem daunting, but the long-term benefits can be substantial. A precisely placed thermostat means your HVAC system works more efficiently, leading to lower energy bills and a consistently comfortable home environment. You’ll likely experience fewer hot and cold spots and less unnecessary wear and tear on your system.
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Before you turn that AC or furnace back on, take a good look at where your thermostat is located. A simple move could be the key to a more comfortable home and unlocking some welcome savings. It’s a small change that can make a surprisingly big difference.
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