Thermostat placement has a big impact on how well your HVAC system can read the temperature in your home. If placed in the wrong area, it can cause higher energy bills, uneven heating or cooling, and more strain on your equipment.
Locations to Avoid
Here are a few spots where you may run into these issues:
- Exterior walls
- Near windows or sliding doors
- Close to supply vents
- In kitchens
- In hallways with no returns
- Near lamps, TVs, or other heat-producing electronics
- Behind doors or in tight corners
- Directly across from bathrooms or laundry rooms
- In basements or unfinished utility areas
Why These Locations Cause Problems
Exterior walls can have drafty windows that create hot or cold spots in your home. Your thermostat may think the area is cooler or hotter than it actually is, depending on the season.
Air blowing from vents or airflow around supply vents causes artificial airflow. This gives your thermostat a false reading instead of an accurate average temperature for your home.
Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens also cause issues. These rooms tend to run warmer than other parts of the home.
Impact on Heating and Cooling Costs
When a thermostat sits in a location that isn’t well suited for it, your system runs more often and for longer durations. This increases your overall energy consumption, raises your energy bills, and adds extra wear and tear that may shorten your HVAC system’s lifespan.
Is Relocating a Thermostat Easy?
Relocating your thermostat can be simple if the new location is close by or a new wire can be easily fished through a few stud locations in your wall. This may require new wire spliced into your current thermostat wiring. Generally, this is an 18-gauge wire with 5 to 8 individual color-coded wires inside.
A few things can make relocating your thermostat more difficult:
- The new location requires running wires through multiple studs
- The home has plaster walls instead of drywall
- The existing thermostat wiring is outdated or insufficient for modern smart thermostats
- The HVAC control board needs rewiring or verification
- The desired location is far from the original wiring path
- There are electrical hazards or unknown circuits in the wall
In these cases, it’s best to contact your local HVAC technician to avoid damage to your HVAC system or unsafe wiring conditions.
Ready for a more comfortable, efficient home?
The team at RSJ Mechanical can help you find the ideal thermostat placement for your HVAC system and handle the wiring safely if a move is needed. Contact RSJ Mechanical today to schedule an assessment and start saving on your energy bills.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thermostat Placement
How can I tell if my thermostat is in the wrong spot?
Watch for signs like some rooms feeling too hot while others feel too cold, your system cycling on and off frequently, or your energy bills creeping up with no clear reason. If your thermostat sits in direct sunlight or near a vent, that’s often the culprit.
Do smart thermostats need special placement considerations?
Yes. Many smart thermostats use built-in sensors or remote room sensors to average temperatures across multiple areas, which can help offset a less-than-ideal main location. Still, avoiding heat sources and drafts gives you the most reliable results.
Should I try to relocate my thermostat myself?
If the move involves simple wire extensions and accessible walls, a handy homeowner can sometimes manage it. But if your walls are plaster, your wiring is old, or you’re not sure what’s behind the wall, call an HVAC technician to avoid damaging your system or creating a safety hazard.