During the holiday season, there may be a temptation to cover the thermostat with decorations to make the room more festive. However, this may reduce the free flow of air into the unit, which affects the accuracy of the thermostat.
Unfortunately covering your thermostat prevents it from accurately reading the temperature in your living space. That's because it could cause the thermostat to “think” the area it's in is warmer or cooler than it actually is.
To cover the thermostat, I created a simple DIY photo canvas. I also made a second one for the second shelf to balance it out. Since the canvas is just leaning against the wall and has an open back, there is still good air flow through it for the thermostat to function. It's also super light, so it's easy to move.
Use a thick “gallery style” painting (aim for a canvas that is at least 2.5 inches thick) to cover up the thermostat and add a bit of design to your space. You can purchase a premade work of art, or DIY one! Art supply stores carry canvases in various sizes.
During the holiday season, there may be a temptation to cover the thermostat with decorations to make the room more festive. However, this may reduce the free flow of air into the unit, which affects the accuracy of the thermostat.
Dust, nicotine buildup, and other dirt inside can all affect your thermostat's performance. Some thermostats open easily so that you can clean the inside. Others will require that you unscrew the faceplate.
Ideally, you should place your thermostat in a room that you use frequently so your thermostat is reading accurate temperatures. You should also place your thermostat on an interior wall that is unobstructed by household items.
Recommended Height. Installing your thermostat at about 52-60 inches above the floor is advised to avoid skewed readings due to rising heat. Away From Obstructions. Your thermostat should have unobstructed air circulation, so avoid placing furniture in front of or beneath it, keeping it clear of curtains and shelves.
For example, you'll want to avoid installing your thermostat near windows or doors, or by heat sources or in direct sunlight. You'll also want to avoid putting lamps or TVs near your thermostat, since they release heat that could impact the device settings, according to the US Department of Energy.
Flame Resistant – Canvas will burn; however, its natural fibers are much more resistant to burning. A perfect example to demonstrate this is when camping. You start a big fire, but the embers erupt out and land on your nylon tent. This would melt a pinhole in your nylon tent.
If you have a different type of thermostat, just measure it and look for picture frames slightly larger than those dimensions. Remove the glass and hang the frame directly over it.
Your hallways are empty for a majority of the time, so placing your thermostat there decreases the accuracy of the readings. Hallways also make readings more difficult because airflow is restricted in the long, thin space.
So locking a thermostat is against the law.” “Deliberately disabling access to essential services such as heat and hot water may violate a landlord's duty to provide a habitable living environment,” says attorney Chad D.
Driving without a thermostat fools your engine into thinking it is cold outside, causing it to adjust the gas mixing valve and push more fuel to the engine. When driving without a thermostat, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge to avoid running out of fuel. Your engine will consume more fuel than usual.
We would not advise putting the thermostat in the coldest room as this would not be a true reflection of the temperature of the rest of the house. You want an average reading for it to work efficiently so placing it in the coldest part of the house would be an extreme cold air temperature zone to avoid.
Maintain Clearance: Keep furniture at least 6 inches away from baseboard heaters. This prevents the blockage of heat and reduces fire risk.
Near certain furniture and appliances
The U.S. Department of Energy cautions against placing lamps, TV sets, and entertainment centers near a thermostat.
The ideal thermostat location is an interior wall, ideally near the center of the house. When considering your thermostat location, it's also smart to keep in mind which rooms people use most since these are the rooms where you want the temperature to be the most comfortable.
The best place to position a central heating thermostat is on an interior wall, a comfortable distance from the likes of windows and doors, air vents and the kitchen or hallway.
Best Places To Put Your Thermostat
Ideally, your thermostat should sit between 52 and 60 inches above the floor. If your thermostat sits below 52 inches above the floor, it could produce too low readings. Conversely, if it sits above 60 inches, it could have temperature readings that measure high.
The Lifespan of a Thermostat
On average, most thermostats last about 10 years, depending on the model, usage, and proper maintenance. However, many people decide to replace their unit sooner to take advantage of new energy-saving technologies.
Additionally, a faulty thermostat can cause your heater to overheat, which can be a fire hazard.
The average cost of a new thermostat, including installation, ranges in price from $50 to $500 or more based on several factors including the type of thermostat, labor costs, the complexity of the installation, and more.