These common smart thermostat mistakes are costing you money – set it up here instead

Have you ever found yourself in a thermostat tug-of-war? One room feels like a sauna, another like an icebox, all while your trusty thermostat claims your home is at a perfectly average and comfortable 72 degrees?

The truth is, you’re probably not imagining things, and the culprit could be hanging right there on your wall. As it turns out, where your thermostat is located can make a world of difference to both your comfort and your energy bills.

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Chances are, your thermostat is not located in the sweet spot for accurate whole-home temperature readings. In a way, your thermostat is the brain of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. It senses the air temperature and tells your system when to kick on and when to take a break. 

But what if it’s getting a skewed version of reality? According to experts, this is a common scenario, and it’s likely costing you money. Here are some tips for where to avoid installing your thermostat, and the best places to do it instead.

1. Don’t get too close to the sun

One of the biggest mistakes is placing your thermostat in direct sunlight. Imagine your thermostat basking in a warm, sunny spot. It’s going to think the room is much hotter than it actually is. Consequently, it’ll keep your air conditioning running overtime, even if the rest of the house is perfectly comfortable or siding on chilly. You end up overcooling your home and wasting energy — a double whammy for your wallet and the environment.

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Similarly, placing a thermostat too close to heat-producing appliances is a recipe for inefficiency. This could be near the kitchen oven, a frequently used television, or even a heat-generating lamp. These “hot spots” can trick your thermostat into thinking the ambient temperature is higher, leading to your AC working harder than it needs to. 

Conversely, in the winter, it might not signal your heating system to turn on enough, leaving you in the cold.

2. Draft locations are another no-go

If your thermostat is near a poorly sealed window, an exterior door that’s often opened, or even in a particularly breezy hallway, it will register a cooler temperature than the rest of your living space. This can cause your heating system to run excessively in the colder months, as it constantly tries to warm up an area that’s getting a continuous blast of cool air.

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What about those lonely, unused rooms? Sticking a thermostat in a spare bedroom that’s usually closed off means your entire home’s climate control is being dictated by a space that doesn’t reflect your actual living conditions. If that room stays naturally cooler or warmer than the rest of the house, your HVAC system will be fighting a losing battle to achieve a temperature that isn’t representative of where you actually spend your time.

3. The ideal installation area

So, where should this critical piece of home technology live? The ideal spot is on an interior wall, in a frequently used room — like the living room or a central hallway that experiences good airflow and a consistent temperature. 

It should be mounted about 52 to 60 inches from the floor to effectively sense the room’s average temperature, away from the aforementioned culprits: direct sunlight, drafts, and direct heat sources.

Think of it as finding the most “average” spot in your home. You want your thermostat to get a true sense of your home’s overall climate, not an extreme reading from a quirky corner.

Making a move might seem like a hassle, but the long-term benefits can be substantial. An accurately placed thermostat means your HVAC system operates more efficiently, leading to lower energy bills and a more consistently comfortable home environment. You’ll likely experience fewer hot and cold spots and reduce unnecessary wear and tear on your system.

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Before you crank that AC or furnace up yet again, take a good look at where your thermostat is perched. A simple relocation could be the key to unlocking a more comfortable home and some welcome savings. It’s a small change that can make a surprisingly big difference.

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