A good location for a thermostat is ________.

A good location for a thermostat is ________.

• A. Near a return grille
• B. In a closet
• C. On an exterior wall
• D. about 5' (1.52m) above the floor

Answer: (D)

A thermostat should sense the room’s actual conditions, not be influenced by extreme spots. Placing it about 5 feet above the floor puts the sensor roughly in the middle of the occupied space, where people experience temperature. This height avoids the warm air near the ceiling and the cold air near the floor, and it keeps the reading representative of where people are. An interior wall at this height also helps avoid direct sun, outdoor temperature swings from exterior walls, and drafts from doors or vents. Being away from closets ensures good air circulation so the thermostat isn’t reading a stagnant pocket of air. In short, about 5 feet high on an interior wall gives a stable, representative reading for effective control.

A thermostat should sense the room’s actual conditions, not be influenced by extreme spots. Placing it about 5 feet above the floor puts the sensor roughly in the middle of the occupied space, where people experience temperature. This height avoids the warm air near the ceiling and the cold air near the floor, and it keeps the reading representative of where people are. An interior wall at this height also helps avoid direct sun, outdoor temperature swings from exterior walls, and drafts from doors or vents. Being away from closets ensures good air circulation so the thermostat isn’t reading a stagnant pocket of air. In short, about 5 feet high on an interior wall gives a stable, representative reading for effective control.