Slashing your pesky energy bill during a sweltering summer or bitter winter might be easier than you think — and it could come down to where your thermostat lives. If you’re installing a new thermostat or reevaluating the placement of your current one, the location can make a big difference. Put it in the wrong spot, and your HVAC system could be working harder than it needs to, driving up your costs all year.
To help you avoid that, we’ve rounded up the best — and worst — places to install your thermostat, plus why proper placement matters for both comfort and savings. (Looking for more ways to cut back on household expenses? Check out our tips for lowering your heating and electric bills and more smart ways to save around the house.)
Never install a thermostat in these places
When thinking about thermostat location, the most important thing is to avoid areas with temperature extremes, which can make your thermostat think the room is much hotter or cooler than it really is and adjust the temperature accordingly.
According to the US Department of Energy, you should avoid installing your thermostat near windows or doors, heat sources or direct sunlight. You should also avoid putting lamps or TVs near your thermostat since they release heat that could impact the device settings.
For that reason, it’s best to avoid placing the thermostat in bathrooms or kitchens, too, where steam from the shower or from cooking can interfere. The same goes for exterior walls, which are typically cooler than interior ones.
Putting your thermostat in any of these less-than-ideal spots could force it into heating or cooling when it doesn’t actually need to, unnecessarily using up more energy and money.
You should also avoid setting up your thermostat in hallways or rooms that you don’t use often. The device will not read the temperature of the places you actually want to heat or cool and could leave you with the wrong setting.
Here’s where you should put a thermostat
The best spot for your thermostat is on an interior wall in the middle of a room you use often, such as your living room. That will keep the most popular areas of your house comfortable at the temperature you set.
And if you have a smart thermostat, make sure it’s not obstructed by doors, bookshelves or decorations so its sensors will work as they’re meant to. You also need to make sure the smart thermostat is in range of your Wi-Fi to stay connected.
In some cases, you can move your thermostat yourself. But in others, you’ll need to call an HVAC specialist. But that cost can potentially be recouped over time through savings.
For more money-saving tips, check out how Energy Star appliances can save you cash and the cheapest place to buy groceries online.
For more ways to reduce energy costs, consider unplugging your appliances, adjusting your thermostat, turning off your lights or buying smart devices. There’s even an easy ceiling fan hack that can save money on heating or cooling your house.
