For most of us, when we purchase our homes, we accept the layout as is. Over time, we start questioning the way some things have been placed. We may wonder why the dishwasher was placed on one side when it clearly would have been more convenient on the other. Or why the laundry room was built so far away from the bedrooms.
But what about your thermostat? Even if your thermostat is installed perfectly, if it’s not in the right place, it won’t communicate correctly with your furnace and air conditioner.
The thermostat isn’t something that is installed on an empty wall without thought. Instead, your thermostat’s location is something that determines how comfortable and efficient your home’s airflow remains throughout the years.
Your thermostat reads the temperature of your home from the site where it is installed. If the temperature in this location is not representative of the airflow in the rest of your home, it will not provide the proper readings to heat and cool your home.
If your thermostat is in a warm spot, for instance, it will think your home is warmer than it actually is. This will make the furnace run less frequently, cool spots to exist throughout your home, and a constant battle of fiddling with the thermostat to control the temperature to your liking.
Where are the best locations for a thermostat?
- In a central location. Thermostats should be installed in a central location, away from drafts and hot spots.
- Out of direct sunlight. If the sun streams through a window and onto your thermostat, it will raise the temperature reading and prevent your HVAC system from operating correctly.
- Away from hot or cold sources. The draft of open windows or consistently opened doors will change a temperature. So will a vent blowing warm air on the coldest of nights. A thermostat should be in a location where little air movement impacts the appliance, and fluctuations are well representative of your home’s temperature.
- Thermostats should be mounted on an interior wall, never on an exterior wall or an uninsulated wall next to an unconditioned space.
- One of the best locations is by a return air vent, that way the thermostat is reading a better overall room average when the system is running.
HVAC & Electrical Services in Atlanta
Have any questions about the best location for your thermostat? Looking to upgrade, have automated controls? We can help ensure your heating and cooling needs are as efficient as can be. Call R.S. Andrews for electrical and HVAC services in Atlanta!