If you are installing a new programmable thermostat, make sure find a good location where it can accurately measure the temperature inside your home. Similarly, if your current thermostat has problems keeping the temperature in your home even throughout the day, check its placement. A thermostat only knows what the temperature is where it is located and if it is placed in a location subject to temperature swings, it will not read your indoor air temperature accurately and you may experience uneven heating and cooling.
A thermostat should be mounted about 5 feet from the floor to get a good average reading from floor to ceiling. Warm air rises so temperatures in your home will naturally be warmer toward the ceiling and cooler at the floor.
The thermostat should also be located where it is not affected by heated or cooled air blowing from the registers. Locating a thermostat too close to a register will cause your system to cycle on off too frequently and some areas of your home will never reach the appropriate temperature.
Also, keep light fixtures several feet away from your thermostat. An incandescent light bulb can raise the nearby air temperature several degrees and affect your thermostat’s temperature reading. The same is true for the sun. If your thermostat is located where it receives direct sunlight for more than a few minutes, it will cause the thermostat to read high on sunny days.
Finally, mount thermostats well away from exterior doors and windows and away from kitchens to avoid inaccurate readings. An interior hallway often makes an ideal location for a thermostat. If you think you need to move your thermostat, talk to your local HVAC contractor or an electrician.
