Any HVAC experts here - Thermostat location?

MysteryX01 · 01-10-09, 04:09 PM

Is it true that the ideal location for the thermostat is near the return air duct?

Our two story home has an open foyer, formal living and dining space with a 20 foot ceiling, which is cooled by the downstairs unit. The upstairs hall overlooks this area and this is where the upstairs unit thermostat and return air are located. I think this a very poor location for the upstairs. Two problems with this location are 1) upstairs thermostat greatly affected by downstairs unit and 2) the upstairs unit is basically for our master bedroom and the kids rooms which are at opposite ends of the upstairs hall, and not very open to the hall. Basically the upstairs return unit has to draw air through our master bedrooms double doors and a 3 foot arched door leading into the kids section.

Basically in the middle of summer the upstairs unit will run excessively because it can't draw enough cool air from the master bedroom or kids section. It would probably run all night if I closed the master bedroom doors. In other words our rooms stay cold while the hall is much warmer.

I am going to be moving this thermostat out of the hall and into either the master bedroom or kids section which are both away from the return air duct. A neighbor with the same model house was told the thermostat had to be within 3 feet of the return air so they didn't move it, thus my original question. Another neighbor, again with the same model, moved it on their own with great success.

Mystery

Dr Mabuse · 01-10-09, 04:22 PM

These pretzels are making me thirsty!?!

pedagogue · 01-10-09, 04:54 PM

Put it near the floor....so the cat can adjust it as needed.

OldDude · 01-10-09, 05:18 PM

1) It should be on an interior wall, not exterior.
2) Air outlets should not blow right on it.
3) Location should be representative for heating/cooling needs

Normally, near return would be a good place, but not only place.
You have a problem if the thermostat is not representative of the bedrooms you are trying to heat/cool. But if you put it in one, that one is controlled, and the other is a crap-shoot. Maybe it's OK, maybe not. It may still be better than the hall.

01-10-09, 04:09 PM	#1
MysteryX01 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 80	Any HVAC experts here - Thermostat location? Is it true that the ideal location for the thermostat is near the return air duct? Our two story home has an open foyer, formal living and dining space with a 20 foot ceiling, which is cooled by the downstairs unit. The upstairs hall overlooks this area and this is where the upstairs unit thermostat and return air are located. I think this a very poor location for the upstairs. Two problems with this location are 1) upstairs thermostat greatly affected by downstairs unit and 2) the upstairs unit is basically for our master bedroom and the kids rooms which are at opposite ends of the upstairs hall, and not very open to the hall. Basically the upstairs return unit has to draw air through our master bedrooms double doors and a 3 foot arched door leading into the kids section. Basically in the middle of summer the upstairs unit will run excessively because it can't draw enough cool air from the master bedroom or kids section. It would probably run all night if I closed the master bedroom doors. In other words our rooms stay cold while the hall is much warmer. I am going to be moving this thermostat out of the hall and into either the master bedroom or kids section which are both away from the return air duct. A neighbor with the same model house was told the thermostat had to be within 3 feet of the return air so they didn't move it, thus my original question. Another neighbor, again with the same model, moved it on their own with great success. Mystery

01-10-09, 04:22 PM	#2
Dr Mabuse DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 75 clicks above the Do Lung bridge... Posts: 8,586	Re: It's always weird to see people 'sign off' with their screen name These pretzels are making me thirsty!?! __________________ "Mankind have a great aversion to intellectual labor; but even supposing knowledge to be easily attainable, more people would be content to be ignorant than would take even a little trouble to acquire it." - Samuel Johnson

01-10-09, 04:54 PM	#3
pedagogue DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 26,159	Re: Any HVAC experts here - Thermostat location? Put it near the floor....so the cat can adjust it as needed.

01-10-09, 05:18 PM	#4
OldDude DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: MI Posts: 22,268	Re: Any HVAC experts here - Thermostat location? 1) It should be on an interior wall, not exterior. 2) Air outlets should not blow right on it. 3) Location should be representative for heating/cooling needs Normally, near return would be a good place, but not only place. You have a problem if the thermostat is not representative of the bedrooms you are trying to heat/cool. But if you put it in one, that one is controlled, and the other is a crap-shoot. Maybe it's OK, maybe not. It may still be better than the hall. __________________ 9/11/2001 - You have awakened a sleeping giant, and filled him with a terrible resolve. - paraphrased from Yamamoto