Where should your thermostat be located?

Author: Allene Hermiston  |  Last update: Monday, January 26, 2026

If your home has multiple stories, place your thermostat on the first floor for the best results. Since hot air rises, this means a thermostat on the second floor will read warmer temperatures, even if the first floor is still cool. Downstairs locations like your living room are ideal for accurate thermostat readings.

Where is the best place to put a thermostat?

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.

How far should a thermostat be from the heater?

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 is the best place to keep your thermostat?

Location within a room

Heat circulates around rooms naturally, so we'd recommend placing your thermostat in a central position and around 1.5m off the ground for the most balanced view.

What is the height code for thermostats?

(They do not apply to private homes that rent fewer than five rooms.) To ensure that people in wheelchairs can reach and adjust the setpoint without assistance, ADA rules specify thermostat placement to be no higher than 48 inches (121 cm) above the floor (assuming no other obstructions are below it).

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

What is the correct height for a room thermostat?

5ft above the floor

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. About 5ft above the floor is the most common place to install your thermostat for an accurate average reading.

How high is too high for thermostat?

Your thermostat can go up to 90°F, but you shouldn't push it that far for monetary reasons. Not only will it drain power and cause a huge jump in your bills, but it will force your heater to work harder and wear down much faster.

Can you put a thermostat anywhere?

Whether you're moving a thermostat to another room or just moving it to another wall, there are a few main things you need to consider: Try to install your thermostat near the middle of the room or zone that it is controlling. Avoid putting your thermostat near windows, doors, or on exterior walls.

Should I put my thermostat in the coldest room?

If you put the thermostat in a spot that gets hotter or colder than the rest of your house, a conflict between your thermostat and boiler can arise. Your heating system might end up in a constant battle to keep up, and you'll find yourself constantly fiddling with the settings to feel comfortable.

Where should I set my thermostat in the summer?

You want to keep your home cool, but also want to keep control of your electricity bills. Keeping in mind both energy efficiency and comfort, the best thermostat settings for summer are 76° when you are home, 80-85° when you are away and 72° at night.

Should thermostat be in hallway or living room?

The hall is the wrong place for the room thermostat, it should be located in the room you spend most of the time, usually the lounge. If installed in the lounge, thermostatic radiator valves will need to be removed, if fitted.

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 high should thermostat be set in winter?

If someone is at home in the daytime, 72° F (22° C) is a good start, but aim for 68° F (20° C). If everyone is away from home in the daytime or you're asleep at night, we feel 66° F (19° C) to 62° F (17° C) is best.

What is the most efficient way to set a thermostat?

Thermostat Operation

The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.

Where is the best place to put a thermostat in a split level house?

If it's a traditional two-story home, put it on the first floor. For a split-level, put it on the floor that's at ground level. However, if it's a split-level where one floor is partially subterranean and the other floor is elevated, place the thermostat on the higher level.

Where should you not put a thermostat?

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.

What temperature should I keep my house in extreme cold?

Keeping your home warm in the winter is essential for one's comfort and also to keep pipes from freezing. However, you should be mindful of energy consumption as well. According to the Department of Energy, the optimal temperature setting for homes during freezing weather is 68 °F.

Where should I position my thermostat?

- Away from doors, windows, and draughty areas - Away from air vents and radiators - On an interior wall - In a frequently used room - On the ground floor - Five feet above floor level If you have considered all of these factors, you have probably identified a spot for your heating thermostat that is close to the ...

What not to do with a thermostat?

Avoid these seven mistakes to get the most from your HVAC system in Calhoun, GA, and keep your utility costs down:
  1. Constantly Adjusting the Temperature. ...
  2. Never Adjusting the Temperature. ...
  3. Using the 'On' Fan Setting. ...
  4. Turning Off Your System. ...
  5. Using Extreme Temperature Settings. ...
  6. Using an On-Off HVAC Thermostat.

Can you change the location of a 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.

Can you install a thermostat incorrectly?

A mismatched thermostat can damage the HVAC system and the electrical system. The clash between the instructions from the thermostat's computer algorithms with the HVAC system can harm components. (And if you add in a possible wiring error, things get even worse.)

Is 82 too hot for a house?

In general, 80 degrees is too hot for a house if people are inside. However, if people aren't home during the day or for vacation during the summer, an indoor temperature of 80 degrees can save energy until you return and lower the temperature.

What is the cheapest temperature to keep your house in winter?

To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.

What is an unhealthy house temperature?

The World Health Organization recommends a thermostat setting no lower than 68 degrees while you're home. If you have children or seniors in your house, that number increases to at least 70 degrees. If your house is too cold, it can cause problems with blood pressure and circulation, as well as affect your heart rate.

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