Should a thermostat be near the furnace?

Author: Emmanuel Blick  |  Last update: Sunday, March 9, 2025

While keeping it near the return will accurately read the temperature of the air returning to your air handler, placing your thermostat too close to the intake grille can cause too much air to move across the sensor and skew the reading.

How far should the thermostat be away from the furnace?

Better yet, install your thermostat at least 1 stud away from the heater. Moving a thermostat out of the same wall cavity as a heater will help performance.

Where should a furnace thermostat be located?

Placing your thermostat on an interior wall makes an ideal option for getting an average temperature reading. Fluctuating temperatures do not impact your home's interior walls, making them a perfect location for your thermostat.

Can the thermostat affect the furnace?

The thermostat is the central control of your HVAC system, and malfunctioning can prevent the AC and furnace from turning on. This problem can be due to bad wiring connecting the thermostat to the AC and heater, or a thermostat that has reached the end of its life.

Can I change the location of my thermostat?

If your thermostat isn't in the right place, it is possible to move it to a new location. However, the amount of work that takes depends on how far away you plan to move it. The reason is that there's a set of control wires running from your HVAC system to the wall where the thermostat resides.

Where should a thermostat be? Should a thermostat be in the hallway?

Where would be a bad place to put a thermostat?

When installing your thermostat, the main thing you want to avoid is placing it in an area with extreme temperatures. For example, don't place it above air vents, near windows and doors, or in any spot that receives direct sunlight.

Where should the heating thermostat be positioned?

Middle or centre! So the middle of your home will give you the most accurate average reading since it will measure the centrally circulating air. Heat rises, so if your thermostat is very high up the wall it will give you an inflated reading and tell your boiler to cool the house down.

Why isn't my thermostat communicating with my furnace?

Check the Power Source Sometimes the problem between the thermostat and your furnace is as simple as replacing the batteries. Many digital thermostats use standard batteries to power their functions. Also make sure to check there is power at the furnace as well.

Why is there a delay between thermostat and furnace?

After changing modes, there is a standard 5-7 minute delay before the Thermostat will call for heating or cooling. This is done to protect the compressor for air conditioners and heat pump systems from excessive wear.

Will my furnace work without a thermostat?

Technically, yes, you can run a furnace without a thermostat. Furnaces are designed to operate independently of a thermostat, but the thermostat is an additional device that helps regulate when the system turns on and off. This also depends on the fuel used for your furnace system.

Does the location of a thermostat matter?

While keeping it near the return will accurately read the temperature of the air returning to your air handler, placing your thermostat too close to the intake grille can cause too much air to move across the sensor and skew the reading.

How much does it cost to relocate a thermostat?

come and move a thermostat it will cost between $200-$400 depending on how long the new wire has to be. The normal labor rates vary per region so it is between $75-$90 dollars per hour and it will probably take all of 2 hours to pull a new wire and rewire and mount the thermostat.

How do I know if my furnace thermostat is bad?

A bad thermostat can be detected when your AC or furnace is not turning on, your HVAC systems are not turning off, the thermostat not responding, your HVAC system is short-cycling, the room temperature not matching the temperature displayed on the thermostat, and the programmed setting resetting themselves.

Is it hard to relocate a thermostat?

Fortunately, in many cases, moving a thermostat is a DIY job that requires a few basic tools. In fact, if you're moving the thermostat to an adjacent wall or replacing the interface, the project may last just an hour or less.

Should the thermostat be near the return?

It is actually fine (and some say preferable) for the thermostat to be located near a return intake. For best results, you want the thermostat centrally located. This is a part of the home that you frequently use rather than tucked away in a hall. The thermostat should be positioned at a height of about 52-60 inches.

What is the safe distance from the furnace?

Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment such as a portable space heater, fireplace, wood-burning stove or furnace. The three-foot safety zone includes furniture, drapes, electronics—anything that can burn. Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

Why is my thermostat not kicking my furnace on?

The thermostat may have a dead battery, so replace them with fresh ones and try again. Your furnace may turn on right away after this. If it doesn't, you may have a faulty power circuit. Have an HVAC professional diagnose this issue, and provide you with professional recommendations.

How long is a thermostat delay?

This delay can be up to five minutes under normal operating conditions. A delay is used to protect your heating and cooling equipment from coming on too quickly (known as short cycling), which can cause damage.

Does the thermostat affect the furnace?

Your thermostat can be the difference between an efficient and inefficient home heating system. When it's not working as it should be, it can cause your HVAC to switch on and off too frequently. This is often referred to as short-cycling and prevents your home from maintaining a consistent temperature.

Where does thermostat connect to furnace?

The HVAC control board is where the thermostat wires connect to your heating and cooling system. In most cases the control board can be found at your furnace or air handler.

What to do if the thermostat is not communicating?

Here are the fault-resolving strategies that may well get your thermostat back up and running:
  1. Check the batteries in the thermostat. ...
  2. Position the thermostat closer to the boiler. ...
  3. Check for interference. ...
  4. Turn the heating up. ...
  5. Check your manufacturer's instructions. ...
  6. Try to reconnect to the boiler. ...
  7. Reset the boiler.

Will my furnace still work if my thermostat is not working?

An HVAC system needs power to operate, so if it cannot start, you will be stuck with a thermostat that does not work. If so, ensure your furnace switch is on and your HVAC circuit breaker is set correctly.

Does it matter where thermostat is located?

Ideal Thermostat Placement

The best place for your thermostat is on an interior wall, away from all the areas we previously discussed (direct sunlight, air vents, your kitchen, hallways, windows and doors). Ideally, it should be placed toward the center of your home.

Where is the best place to put a thermostat in the winter?

We recommend installing a thermostat on interior walls, at an optimal height from the floor. Thermostats should not be installed near windows or in direct sunlight and they should be positioned away from heat sources such as radiators, lamps, ovens or other electronic devices that may produce heat.

What color is the G wire on a thermostat?

If your thermostat controls your heat, you will have a white wire. The Y wire is yellow and connects to your air conditioning compressor. The G wire is green and connects to the fan.

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