Choosing the right location for your home’s AC thermostat can significantly impact your overall comfort and energy bills.
Keep reading to learn what to consider when selecting the ideal position for your AC thermostat. We cover everything from avoiding certain locations to finding naturally warmer spots.
Additionally, we delve into AC systems’ key components and functionality and the importance of thermostats in optimizing their performance.
Locations to Avoid When Installing Your AC Thermostat
Choosing an ideal spot for your AC and thermostats is key to maintaining temperatures steady and efficiently managing your energy costs. Many DIY projects oversimplify this aspect, which could lead to ineffective climate control in your home. One of the primary things you need to know is the potential locations to avoid.
For starters, keep thermostats away from air vents, ceiling fans, windows, and doors. If placed directly in the path of these, programmable thermostats might read an artificially low temperature and thus work overtime, pushing your energy costs higher.
Direct Sunlight and Windows
Keep your programmable AC thermostat away from direct sunlight. Locations near windows that are prone to direct sunlight can trick your thermostat into thinking it’s warmer than it actually is. This might make your AC run unnecessarily, pushing your energy costs up.
You might question: but won’t the sunlight naturally warm those areas? The answer lies in the energy consumed by smart thermostats when they constantly adjust temperatures based on sunlight exposure. An accurate reading is important for optimal efficiency.
Areas Close to the Kitchen and Appliances
Avoid placing your product close to home appliances that generate heat. These might include ovens, washers or dryers, and even your television. These devices produce heat that can fool your programmable thermostats into thinking that the entire house is warmer than it actually is.
Consider Ways To Aid & Enhance Your Comfort
No matter where your thermostat is located, there are ways you can help complement the work that your air conditioner or furnace is doing to keep your home comfortable.
Turn On Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can be a great addition to rooms with AC thermostats. They improve air circulation, helping to keep the temperature steady. This might allow the thermostat to take longer breaks, hence reducing energy costs.
Utilize Area Rugs
Area rugs, on the other hand, help in insulating the floor, especially on colder days. They partner up with the thermostat to keep the room warm, allowing for a steady temperature which is essential for a programmable thermostat to work.
Smart Thermostat and Geofencing Capabilities
If you’re thinking of upgrading your home’s climate control system, consider a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat with geofencing capabilities allows for an automatic cooling or heating schedule when you’re away from home. The smart thermostat may understand your family routines better when combined with voice control using Google Assistant.
Opting for smart thermostats with Wi-Fi capabilities also allows for remote control. No need to manually adjust the digital thermostat when you can do it while sitting on your couch. Look for the “smart thermostat” in the product lists on our website and read a full review to understand its features better.
Please note that some of these are DIY projects and may require some technical knowledge and tools.
Importance and Function of Thermostats
Thermostats play an integral role in maintaining a comfortable and consistent temperature in your home. As a crucial component of an HVAC system, whether it’s a standard display thermostat or a smart thermostat, its primary function is to regulate indoor temperatures by controlling the heating and cooling systems.
Upgrading to a digital thermostat or, better yet, a programmable thermostat can do much more than maintain a comfortable ambiance. It can also translate into significant energy cost savings because programmable thermostats can be set to automatically adjust the temperature when you’re not home, reducing unnecessary energy waste.
Role of Thermostats in HVAC Systems
Thermostats act as the control center for your HVAC system, dictating when the heating or cooling units turn on and off based on the temperature settings you establish. When the room’s temperature strays too far from this set point, the thermostat activates the system to correct it, keeping your home consistently comfortable.
Smart thermostats take this a step further with features like geofencing capabilities and the ability to integrate with your home’s other smart devices. They can use location data from your smartphone to adjust your home’s temperature based on where you are or integrate with something like a Google Assistant to provide voice control options.
How to Optimize Thermostat Settings
DIY projects, like optimizing your thermostat settings, can be a great way to save on energy costs. The US EPA’s Energy Star program recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re at home and awake and lower while you’re asleep or away. However, comfort is subjective, and the ideal temperature may vary from person to person.
Another way to save energy is to pair your thermostat settings with other methods of temperature moderation in your home, such as using ceiling fans and area rugs. These DIY methods can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system and reduce your energy costs.
How AC Systems and Thermostats Work Together
AC systems and thermostats complement each other in providing a comfortable living environment. When an AC system cools the air, the thermostat regulates this process by signaling the AC to turn on or off based on the room’s current and desired temperatures. Without a functioning thermostat, an AC system could run non-stop or not at all, leading to discomfort and high energy bills.
If you’ve installed a smart thermostat, you can also set it to track your home’s cooling pattern and adjust it accordingly for optimum energy efficiency. Plus, most smart thermostats offer a track order feature, which helps manage your energy costs by providing detailed energy usage reports.
Synchronization of AC Systems and Thermostats
The key to optimal comfort and energy efficiency lies in synchronizing your AC system and thermostat. If these two aren’t correctly synced, you might experience issues like your AC system running constantly or not turning on at all. In these cases, resetting the thermostat often resolves the problem.
If you’re tech-savvy, smart Wi-Fi thermostats can be an exciting update. This smart device can connect to your Wi-Fi, allowing you to control your thermostat settings remotely from your smartphone or tablet. This way, depending on the season, you can always return to a comfortably cool or warm home.
Troubleshooting Common AC & Thermostat Issues
Some common issues you might experience with AC systems and thermostats include the system not turning on, not cooling properly, or having trouble maintaining a consistent temperature. These problems often point to issues with either the thermostat or AC system.
If your thermostat is battery-operated, a simple fix might be to replace the batteries. If you have a Wi-Fi-enabled smart device, another common issue might be a disconnection from the Wi-Fi network, preventing you from remotely controlling your thermostat. In this case, reconnecting to the network typically resolves the issue. However, if these DIY fixes don’t work, it might be best to consult with a professional.
Thermostats Maintenance Tips
Now to the thermostats. An effective way to manage energy costs is by getting a digital or smart thermostat. Consider picking up a smart thermostat with geofencing capabilities.
Regularly dusting your thermostat can aid in its durability too. For a smart thermostat or even a standard display thermostat, ensure the software is updated. This will allow you to enjoy advancements that might include energy-saving features.
In case you’re using a programmable thermostat, then make sure that the settings match your routine and season. For winter, program your thermostat below 68°F. During summertime, aim for an indoor temperature of roughly 74-78°F when you’re at home. Remember, the goal here is to maintain comfort while keeping energy costs within bounds.
