If you are preparing to have central air conditioning installed in your home for the first time, your HVAC technician is going to be helping you make a lot of decisions about what type of air conditioner you should get and where it should be placed outside your home. However, you may need to let them know where you want the thermostat installed. With so many options for where it can go, you may not know where is a good and bad place for it. Here are some tips about where to place the thermostat.

Avoid Exterior Walls

One place you want to avoid installing a thermostat is on any exterior walls. That is because the thermostat is what reads the temperature in your home, and it can get the wrong reading if it is installed on an exterior wall. Chances are that the temperature will be warmer, especially if the wall lacks proper insulation, giving a reading that your house is hotter than it actually is. Always place the thermostat on an interior wall for accurate results.

Avoid Places Under Ductwork

If you have ductwork that is going to be high up on the wall, another place to avoid is any place directly underneath an air duct. This is also going to contribute to the thermostat having an inaccurate reading, because when the air conditioner kicks on, the thermostat is immediately going to feel all of that cool air. It can cause the thermostat to turn off prematurely because it thinks your home is cooler than it actually is.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Pay attention to where your windows are located and which walls get direct sunlight during the day. You want to pick a place that is not in direct sunlight, because the sun can actually heat up the thermostat and make your home appear hotter than it really is. It can cause the thermostat to turn on the air conditioning while you're away at work during the day, increasing your energy bills as a result. Always place the thermostat in a place that is away from the windows

Avoid Rooms You Do Not Use

Placing the thermostat in a room you infrequently use can cause your home to not feel comfortable. It may be from having the vents closed in that room since you're not in it, or the room feeling different because it doesn't receive proper airflow from the vents. Try to place the thermostat in a room where you spend most of your time, like the family room, for best results.