Everyone knows keeping your home at the right temperature can come with a huge energy bill. From heat pumps to air conditioning units, it’s almost impossible to keep your HVAC system maintained without a professional. This is due to the unit’s intricate nature and placement in the home. This article will help you understand the importance of placement for your thermostat and how to set it up for optimal efficiency.
Maintain Specific Temperatures
A thermostat can only maintain a temperature; it cannot create it. Therefore, if it’s in a spot where the temperature is always warmer or cooler than the rest of your home, you will get incorrect readings. If you notice your temperature reading fluctuating or if it doesn’t seem right even after proper placement and adjustments, give Fahnestock HVAC a call. Your unit may need troubleshooting or overall replacement.
Keep Away From Windows
One of the worst places to put your thermostat is near a window. It is because windows are notorious for letting in drafts and not being weatherproof, which can skew the temperature reading on your thermostat. If you have a large window in your home, it’s best to avoid putting your thermostat nearby.
Also, try to avoid putting your thermostat in direct sunlight. The sun can cause the temperature reading on your thermostat to be inaccurate. Find a place on an interior wall that doesn’t get a lot of traffic. It will ensure that the temperature reading on your thermostat is as accurate as possible.
Place Your Unit at the Proper Height
When it comes to the height of your thermostat, you want to make sure it’s about 5 feet off the ground. Because the temperature in your home is usually cooler near the floor and warmer toward the ceiling, placing your thermostat at the height of 5 feet can provide a more accurate reading of the temperature in your home.
Place Your Thermostat in a Room That You Use Often
You want to ensure your thermostat is in a central location of your home and a room you often use. This is because the temperature in your home will be affected by the activities in that room. For example, if you have a thermostat in your kitchen, the temperature in your home will be affected by the cooking you’re doing. If you have a thermostat in your living room, the temperature in your home will be affected by the amount of people occupying it as well as any present electronics.
Hallways are common areas to place thermostats due to their neutral temperatures, central location in a home and lack of devices that could affect the temperature.
The Area Around Your Thermostat
Make sure that vents or registers in your home are not blocked with furniture or other objects. It can prevent air from flowing freely around your thermostat, affecting the accuracy of the temperature reading. For proper vented air circulation, you should have at least 2 feet of clearance on all sides of your thermostat.
Also consider any lighting or appliances around the unit. Lamps and appliances can give off heat, which can skew the temperature reading on your thermostat. If you have a lamp or appliance near your thermostat, move it to another location or consider a different location for the thermostat.
Batteries and Calibration
If your thermostat is battery operated, ensure the batteries are fresh and have plenty of power. If the batteries in your thermostat are low, it can affect the accuracy of the temperature reading.
If you’re having trouble with the accuracy of your thermostat, and it isn’t due to the device’s location, you may need to calibrate it. This is a simple process that you can do yourself with a few tools. Find the location of your thermostat’s calibration screw on the back of the unit. Use a small screwdriver to turn the calibration screw until the needle on the face of the thermostat points to the correct temperature.
Consider a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats can be set to automatically adjust the temperature in your home at certain times of the day. Not only is this convenient, but it can save you money on your energy bill and ensure that excess energy isn’t being used to heat or cool a home when no one is occupying it for long periods of time. This will also reduce the wear-and-tear on your HVAC unit!
Replace the Unit
If you’re still having trouble with your thermostat after trying it in a new location, you may need to check for recalls on that specific model or simply replace it. It is usually a last resort, but it may be necessary if your thermostat is not working correctly. You can purchase a new thermostat from Fahnestock HVAC for the best knowledge, quality, and installation.
Use a Smart Thermostat
Similar to programmable units, smart thermostats are also designed to learn your preferences and adjust the temperature in your home accordingly. But they go a step further. You are able to control these thermostats from the palm of your hand with your smart device. Typically, an app is installed on your smartphone that works with the thermostat. From there, you can input the settings you want, to ensure your home is always the right temperature for you. Some even allow you to turn your HVAC system on/off while on your way home. These thermostats come in various styles and price points, and we’d be happy to help you find one that fits your needs.
How Do I Make Sure My Thermostat is Giving Me Accurate Readings?
It can be difficult to determine if the temperature reading on your thermostat is accurate or not, especially if you aren’t a professional with the proper equipment. The licensed technicians at Fahnestock HVAC are experienced in both electrical work and HVAC systems. We’d be happy to come out and evaluate your unit as well as its wiring to ensure that you are getting an accurate reading, which is important to your energy consumption and overall bill.
Get the Professionals to Help
Our qualified HVAC technicians at Fahnestock HVAC can come to your home and help you find the right location for your thermostat. They can also calibrate your thermostat for you and make sure it’s working correctly. If you have a programmable thermostat, they can help you set it up and show you how to use it for maximized results.
If you follow these tips, you can ensure your thermostat gets placed in the best possible location for optimal efficiency. Setting your thermostat in the right spot can save you money on your energy bill and keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Visit us at Fahnestock HVAC for any issues with your thermostat. We also provide heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services to Wichita, KS, and the surrounding areas. Call us for an appointment today!
