Where is the most appropriate place to install a thermostat for efficiency and functionality? Here we explain.
Installing your thermostat in the right spot can make a big difference to its functionality and reliability.
Not only in terms of ensuring it continues to work as intended but to maximise energy efficiency, thus keeping your energy bills as low as possible.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best place to install a thermostat and why.
First, let’s take a look at why location matters in a bit more detail.
Best place to install a thermostat in your home
Note: A thermostat should only be installed by a professional. Therefore, you should take this guidance either in the context of where an installer should fit your thermostat on your behalf or where to install it if you are a qualified installer.
As touched on, there are two primary reasons why installing your thermostat in the right spot is key.
For one, some locations are unsuitable for thermostats as they may give inaccurate readings of the overall properties' temperature.
They may also cause the thermostat to stop functioning or/and prevent it from communicating with a boiler.
You’ll also want to take into account how efficiently your thermostat and boiler would work together based on the location of the thermostat.
Beyond that, don’t forget to consider how convenient a given location will be too. This is especially true for vulnerable households e.g. the elderly.
Ensuring Your Thermostat Works and Communicates With Your Boiler
Note: The following sections contain broad advice as to where a thermostat should be installed.
While this article will be very helpful in gaining more clarity as to where a thermostat should go, it’s important to always verify with the manufacturer’s instructions, especially in relation to any aspects of the installation location that are requirements as opposed to just preferences.
In order to do its job correctly, your thermostat needs to be located in such a way that it can reliably do the following:
It can read the room temperature accurately
Easily communicate with your boiler
Starting with the former, it’s important that your thermostat is not too close to a source of interference which could limit or completely prevent it from reading the temperature of the room.
Naturally, if it cannot do this, it won’t be able to work as intended, if at all.
Here are some potential sources of interference to avoid when locating a thermostat:
Temperature extremes
A spot that is directly exposed to sunlight (even if only at some point during the day)
Nearby electrical equipment
Exposure to draughts*
Thermostatic radiator valves^
*This is more likely to be an issue if the room is not well insulated.
^This is another type of interference with the other items on the list but a notable one. Thermostatic radiators or TRVs work in a similar way to thermostats, therefore, it’s important that they are not placed in the same room. TRVs and thermostats can end up competing with one another and cause your heating to fluctuate wildly. If you do not have many good alternative options to rooms with TRVs, you should then at least ensure that your thermostat and the room’s TRV are sufficiently far apart. If in doubt consult a professional.
For more details, be sure to check your manufacturer’s instructions which will highlight more examples of potential interference sources that must be avoided for the thermostat model in question.
One problem that may arise which more specifically relates to boiler-thermostat communication issues is ensuring that your thermostat is within sufficient proximity of the receiver.
This would only apply in the case of a wireless thermostat since wired thermostats are directly connected to boilers.
Again, per the manufacturer’s instructions, check how close your thermostat must be to the receiver to communicate as intended.
A Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat must also be positioned within range of your Wi-Fi modem.
As a side note, the receiver itself must also be mounted in a suitable location. Once more, you guessed it, double-check the details for the specific model in question with the manufacturer’s instructions.
However, as a rule of thumb, thermostat receivers should generally be located at least one metre from metal objects or electronic devices (e.g. microwaves, TVs, radios, Wi-Fi modems, etc.).
Maximising Efficiency with A Suitable Location
While some aspects of the location are necessary for a thermostat to work as intended (as discussed in the previous section), there are additional considerations you should take on board to make the most of your thermostat.
As we mentioned earlier, you want to avoid exposing your thermostat to temperature extremes.
By extension, it is generally best to install a thermostat in a room that is neither too hot nor cold (i.e., somewhere in the Goldilocks zone).
Related thermostat guides:
Placing your thermostat in a room with a balanced temperature is perfect for ensuring your boiler doesn’t overwork or underperform.
After all, if located in a particularly cold room, it will instruct your boiler to work more than is necessary.
On the contrary, if you add to a room that is too warm, it will tell your boiler to work less than is required.
Therefore, finding a room with the just right temperature can ensure the most efficient use of your thermostat.
In most cases, a room located toward the centre of the property will be a good fit.
Moreover, it’s also preferable to locate a thermostat downstairs (therefore, a central downstairs location would probably be best, assuming it meets all installation requirements).
This is because due to the fact that heat rises, your upstairs rooms will generally feel warmer than those located downstairs.
As a result, if you were to locate your thermostat upstairs and even toward the centre of this floor of your property, it may lower your heating a little too low.
To get more specific, your thermostat should be fitted to an interior wall and approximately 5ft above the floor.
Obviously, it should be located internally to ensure an accurate temperature reading that is relevant to heating your home. Fitting it outside will be of little use.
As for the height, about five feet (or the height recommended by the manufacturer) is ideal.
If you were to locate it too high, it would detect more heat than is desired for good reading.
This is because since heat rises, the vertical area of the room closer to the ceiling will be warmer than the temperature occupants would feel in general.
A Convenient Location
Lastly, you’ll of course want to ideally find a convenient spot to install your thermostat. This should be a location that is easy to access.
You’ll probably find yourself locating the thermostat in a room that you frequently use such as the living room.
However, while convenience is important, it’s still essential that you choose a location that meets all the requirements laid out in the manufacturer’s instructions (e.g., a spot that avoids interferences and one that is within sufficient proximity of the receiver).
As for efficiency and convenience, there is more choice here in terms of what you want to prioritise.
With a bit of luck, you’ll find a location that meets all installation requirements, is efficient and offers convenience.
However, some level of trade-off between efficiency and convenience may be required.
All in all, ensuring that your thermostat is located in the right place can avoid a range of issues in the short- and long-term, while also keeping your heating bills down.
