Homeowners walk past their thermostat every day without giving it a second thought, but the truth is that your thermostat is the most crucial part of your home’s heating and cooling system. It is the system’s epicenter; without it, the rest of your setup is essentially useless.
This is why having a thermostat at the correct mounting height is essential. Here is what you should know about where a thermostat is mounted and why it matters so much.
How Do Thermostats Work?
While all homes have thermostats, most people don’t know how they work. Understanding how they function will also help you understand the importance of proper placement, including the typical thermostat height.
The first thing to understand is that thermostats consist of two main components: the thermometer and the switch.
The thermometer reads the temperature in the room to which the thermostat is linked. This information is sent to the switch, which will turn the heating or cooling system on or off to help maintain the desired temperature of the room. While different thermostats have different types of thermometers and switches, they all serve the same primary purpose.
Sensors in Different Types of Thermostats
The most basic types of thermostats have a switch activated by a set temperature. They are commonly used in smaller spaces where maintaining a specific temperature is not critical, like cabinets and closets.
More sophisticated thermostats have two different metal strips which are bonded together. When heated, the two metals expand at different rates which causes the strip to bend and activate the switch. The bimetallic strip systems are incredibly accurate and can be precisely calibrated to maintain specific temperatures.
Other thermostats use electronic sensors and are becoming increasingly popular. Electronic sensors can detect various conditions, including humidity levels, sunlight exposure, and room occupancy to adjust the temperature accordingly. The advantages of these systems are that they are more accurate than the bimetallic strip systems and they are not affected by ambient temperature changes, which makes them ideal for larger spaces.
The Ideal Thermostat Location
The height of thermostat placements isn’t the only thing you should concern yourself with—where you install it also matters for its function.
For accurate readings, your thermostat needs to be installed in a location that accurately reflects the average temperature in your home. Ideally, this means installing it on a centrally located interior wall. You want to keep it away from extreme temperatures, including avoiding installing it near windows, doors, or skylights. You should also avoid installing it near other things that give off heat, like lights and electrical appliances. Other things to avoid are placing thermostats near air vents or close to exterior doors.
Thermostats with WiFi capabilities should, ideally, be installed near your router to have the strongest signal possible.
At What Height Should a Thermostat Be Mounted?
While hot air rises, cold air goes down; it is something everyone learns early on in science classes. This knowledge is essential for heating and cooling systems, particularly regarding how high to mount thermostat systems. If placed too high, your thermostat will read temperatures higher than you likely feel. Too low, and temperatures will read too cool. So, what height should a thermostat be?
Generally, the standard thermostat height is between 52 and 60 inches from the floor. Placing your thermostat within this range helps ensure it is getting the room’s average temperature in order to regulate it effectively. The height for thermostat placement is also generally mid-height for most standard rooms.
An Alternative to Traditional Thermostats
Thermostats and the systems they work with have evolved over the years. Programmable and smart thermostats use WiFi to offer additional sensors, which help provide more accurate temperature controls and better efficiency.
Warmup is a company dedicated to innovative heating systems, including thermostats with advanced features for optimal energy savings and temperature control. Their thermostats are designed to work with underfloor radiant heating, which can be an effective supplemental heating source or even the main system in some homes.
Understanding Underfloor Heating
Underfloor radiant heating is an indoor heating method that involves a heating system installed directly under the flooring. They can be powered via electricity or water, with heat rising up from the floors to warm up the room with evenly distributed heat that creates a comfortable environment.
These systems heat spaces faster and at lower temperatures while also eliminating cold spots. They often require specialized thermostats equipped with floor sensors, like those that Warmup thermostats offer. They offer two advanced thermostat systems with multiple smart sensors for more accurate temperature control.
The 6iE Smart Thermostat
The first radiant heating controller with a Smartphone touchscreen, the 6iE Smart WiFi Thermostat offers many advanced features. You can control the 6iE via the Warmup application and even set up home automation through the IFTTT platform to allow communication between the thermostat and devices like Amazon Alexa. It is also the first underfloor thermostat to allow users to customize the background display with personal photos, to allow the thermostat to look more like decor than part of a heating system.
With the 6iE Thermostat, you can set up automatic controls with SmartGeo, which allows the thermostat to learn your routines via background communication with your smartphone, to lower temperatures when you are away and raise them in time for your arrival. Weather-based Early Start considers the forecast to ensure that the heating turns on at the right time and reaches the perfect temperature regardless of the weather outside.
The Terra WiFi Thermostat
While the Terra Wifi Thermostat does not include the automation and customization of the 6iE Wifi Thermostat, it offers everything else. The Terra Wifi Thermostat offers the same ability to control the temperature via the mobile application, SmartGeo, and Weather-based Early Start.
These features allow homeowners to save hundreds on heating costs, especially when combined with Warmup electric radiant heating systems.
These thermostats are still subject to the thermostat height code, but the additional technology and sensors provide additional support to ensure they maintain the appropriate temperatures.
Getting Thermostat Placement Right
Regardless of your heating system, it’s essentially useless without a thermostat. If you want the most out of your system, choosing the right thermostat and placement is vital.
Choosing the right thermostat height will ensure the most accurate readings so your system can maintain consistent temperatures. The right thermostat paired with the right system will keep your house warm and comfortable while also helping you save money on your energy bill.
Contact us today to learn more about Warmup thermostats and radiant heating systems!
