A new thermostat can help improve your home’s energy efficiency and general comfort. However, if it’s not placed properly, it can have the opposite effect. Here’s a look at the best and worst places in your home for thermostat placement.
Where to Avoid Thermostat Placement
The thermostat’s temperature reading determines how much heat or cooling your home gets. If the temperature in the area where you place your thermostat is significantly different from the rest of the house, it can lead to poor heating and cooling — and thus wasted energy.
Therefore, don’t place the thermostat on an exterior wall. It’s likely to reflect the outside temperature more than the inside: hotter in the summer and colder in the winter than the rest of the house. Likewise, don’t put it near windows or doors. The thermostat can pick up drafts, leading to sudden temperature fluctuations. That also goes for supply vents. If the thermostat is near a vent, hot or cold air from your HVAC system will throw off the readings.
Thermostat placement shouldn’t be in a room that doesn’t see much use. It’s not as important that that room be comfortable since nobody is in it. Similarly, don’t place it in a hallway. Nobody hangs out in the hallway; they merely pass through on their way to other rooms.
Best Thermostat Placement
Place the thermostat in a room your family uses often, such as the living room, and choose a wall as close to the centre of the house as possible. Mount it between 52 and 60 inches from the floor (about 5 feet). Place it lower and the temperature could read too cool. Higher and it’ll be too warm. Remember that heat rises.
Particularly, if your home has multiple floors, you might also consider a zoning system. Different areas of the house each get their own thermostat based on their heating and cooling needs. This helps avoid situations where one room is too warm while another is still too cold.
For more help maximizing comfort and efficiency with your thermostat, contact us at Arpi’s Industries. Calgary trusts us for quality heating and cooling solutions.
