Have you ever noticed how some houses feel comfortable with the thermostat set to 68 degrees, while some are comfortable at 74 degrees
Thermostat location can play a major role in the way your home heats and cools. This poorly positioned thermostat thought the house was 84 degrees when the oddly placed wall light was on!
Imagine the swings in temperature throughout the day as the light is turned on and off.
Ideally, the thermostat should be located centrally (not on an exterior wall), away from sunlight and windows (including skylights), and away from any source of air or heat. We most often find them in hallways, which is OK, but not ideal, and not the the best representation of the area that should feel comfortable.
We have also seen some poor choices for location (even in new construction), such as kitchens, near fireplaces, and this terrible setup in the photo. we once worked with a frustrated client trying to figure out how to keep her house regulated, only to discover that the culprit was the hole drilled through the top of the wall for the thermostat wire!
The hole was large and open into the attic, and attic air was affecting the temperature reading.
Moving a thermostat can be simple task for an HVAC tech provided the attic or basement is accessible. If you find your home difficult to keep comfortable and some of the more obvious conditions have been remedied (insulation, drafts, etc), consider thermostat location. It is often overlooked and can make a big improvement.
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