If you’re already dreading your winter heating bills, it’s time for a reality check: your thermostat might be playing you for a fool. You can blame the cold weather all you want, but the real problem could be that the little box on your wall is getting confused, forcing your HVAC system to work overtime.
Here’s the deal: if your thermostat is basking in a sunbeam or hanging out near a drafty window, it’s getting a completely wrong idea of the temperature in your house. That means it’s running your heat (and your bill) up when it doesn’t need to.
The good news is, the fix is completely free and doesn’t require a fancy smart thermostat. Simply moving your thermostat to a better spot can make a huge difference in your energy costs. Before you resign yourself to another season of expensive bills, make sure your thermostat isn’t secretly sabotaging your budget.
Worst places to install a thermostat
When thinking about thermostat location, the most important thing is to avoid areas with temperature extremes, which can make your thermostat think the room is much hotter or cooler than it really is and adjust the temperature accordingly.
1. Near a window or door
According to the US Department of Energy, you should avoid installing your thermostat near windows or doors, heat sources or direct sunlight. You should also avoid putting lamps or TVs near your thermostat since they release heat that could impact the device settings.
2. In a bathroom or the kitchen
For that reason, it’s best to avoid placing the thermostat in bathrooms or kitchens, too, where steam from the shower or from cooking can interfere. The same goes for exterior walls, which are typically cooler than interior ones. Putting your thermostat in any of these less-than-ideal spots could force it into heating or cooling when it doesn’t actually need to, unnecessarily using up more energy and money.
3. Hallways or low-traffic rooms
You should also avoid setting up your thermostat in hallways or rooms that you don’t use often. The device will not read the temperature of the places you actually want to heat or cool and could leave you with the wrong setting.
The best place to put a thermostat
The best spot for your thermostat is on an interior wall in the middle of a room you use often, such as your living room. That will keep the most popular areas of your house comfortable at the temperature you set.
And if you have a smart thermostat, make sure it’s not obstructed by doors, bookshelves or decorations so its sensors will work as they’re meant to. You also need to make sure the smart thermostat is in range of your Wi-Fi to stay connected.
In some cases, you can move your thermostat yourself. But in others, you’ll need to call an HVAC specialist. But that cost can potentially be recouped over time through savings.
For more money-saving tips, check out how Energy Star appliances can save you cash and the cheapest place to buy groceries online.
For more ways to reduce energy costs, consider unplugging your appliances, adjusting your thermostat, turning off your lights or buying smart devices. There’s even an easy ceiling fan hack that can save money on heating or cooling your house.
