Getting your home’s thermostat placement right will affect your HVAC system’s performance and efficiency and even reduce wear and tear on air-conditioner and furnace components. When it comes to maintaining settings that support a comfortable, healthy indoor environment, the HVAC system depends on the home thermostat for accurate information that properly represents temperature conditions inside the house. Accurate thermostat readings, in turn, are affected by circumstances that may vary widely according to the location where the thermostat is installed.
Location Matters When It Comes to Thermostat Placement
The goal of proper placement is to ensure that the thermostat is located away from factors that skew the temperature reading — known as “ghost readings” — and result in inaccurate and inefficient HVAC system operation. Circumstances that can affect accurate temperature sensing include:
- Proximity to heat-generating sources such as cooking appliances, televisions, computers, light bulbs, and direct sunlight
- Installation in rooms that are typically unusually warm or cool compared to the house at large
- Lack of heated or cooled air circulation in a room due to closed or obstructed HVAC vents in the room
- Positioning the thermostat too close to HVAC supply or return vents
- Placement where air circulation to the thermostat may be blocked by doors, large furniture, or other objects
The Right Thermostat Placement for the Best Temperature
Ideal placement of an HVAC thermostat will include these specifications:
- Location of the thermostat should be in a central part of the home. This helps ensure that the unit is sensing the average midpoint temperature for the whole house.
- The thermostat should be installed on an interior wall. An exterior wall may be colder or warmer than the interior of the house due to the influence of outdoor temperature conditions.
- Install the thermostat on a wall between 52 and 60 inches above the floor. Too high means higher readings (because heat rises), while installing the unit less than 52 inches off the floor frequently results in inaccurate, lower temperature readings.
For more information about proper thermostat placement, contact the HVAC pros at Ace Hardware Home Services.
