Maria Diaz/ZDNET
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.
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