The HVAC system in your home is a complex network of interconnected components, each of which plays a vital role in maintaining your desired temperature. The compressor provides cooling, the furnace generates heat, and a blower fan circulates the air through insulated ducts and into each room in the house through vents. Controlling it all is the thermostat: the “brain” of the system and the interface between the operator and the machinery.
In this article, we’ll pay tribute to this critical component of a comfortable, energy-efficient home. An HVAC system is only as good as its thermostat, and modern versions of this technology bring many impressive new features to the table. We’ll offer tips and advice on how to optimize the effectiveness of your HVAC system, as well as why the location of the thermostat matters for accurate temperature control and energy efficiency.
Your Thermostat: The Basics
The thermostat is the control panel for your HVAC system. Its purpose is to turn the operator’s preferences into reality, which it does by communicating with the equipment. At its simplest, the homeowner sets the temperature they want, and then the thermostat monitors the indoor temperature with a built-in thermometer and cycles the heating or cooling elements on or off as needed to maintain the desired temperature.
If the indoor temperature drops too low, the thermostat sends a command to the computerized control mechanism installed within the furnace to begin heating the home. Heat energy will automatically be generated and then circulated throughout the home. Once the set temperature is reached, the thermostat switches the furnace off until the temperature once again becomes too cold. On hot days, the thermostat does the same with the air conditioning unit, cycling the cooling element on and off as needed.
Modern Advances in Thermostat Design
In any blog post dealing with thermostat technology, it’s worth mentioning the modern advances that have helped this component of your HVAC system to operate more efficiently and effectively than ever before. One example of an advancement that is making its way into more and more homes is the modern smart thermostat. Like other smart home devices, this system utilizes data collection and machine learning to improve the energy efficiency of the HVAC technology in a home.
Programmable thermostats have been around for decades, but if you’ve ever programmed one, you know it can be tedious. Smart thermostats, on the other hand, have the ability to “learn” the schedules of the inhabitants of a building and make adjustments as necessary in order to maximize comfort and decrease excess energy usage.
For example, if a family turns the thermostat up when they get home from work and school about the same time every day, then the thermostat will, over time, learn to increase or lower the temperature at that time without the need for complicated programming or manual adjustments. This allows the family to come home to a comfortable temperature without wasting energy on an empty house.
Smart thermostats can also be controlled remotely via smartphone. On days when your schedule is different, you can log in from anywhere and set the thermostat to start the daily routine at a different time—or not at all. For instance, if you forgot to set your thermostat before going away on vacation, you can change the settings from anywhere so that the thermostat maintains a more energy-efficient temperature.
Why the Location of the Thermostat Matters
Even the most advanced thermostats require some planning to maximize energy efficiency after installation. A thermostat, when used wisely, can be an important tool in reducing energy costs, but there are multiple factors a homeowner must keep in mind to take full advantage of this.
The location of the thermostat is critically important for optimal energy efficiency of an HVAC system. Its thermometer is what the system uses to determine whether to raise or lower the indoor temperature. If the thermometer cannot get an accurate reading of the temperature in the building, it will not be able to provide proper information for the HVAC system.
Consider this: If your home feels particularly warm, and you want to cool it down with the air conditioner, then you’ll set the thermostat to your preferred temperature. However, if the thermostat happens to be next to a drafty area or a vent, then it will read your home as being cooler than it actually is. As a result, it will cycle the system off when the rest of your home is still uncomfortably warm.
To ensure your thermostat always gets an accurate reading of the average interior temperature of the building, have your HVAC professional install it in a central location, such as a hallway or larger room. It should not be in a space where direct sunlight, a vent, or a draft can affect the reading and cause the system to fail to provide the necessary heating or cooling.
If you decide to DIY, before undertaking any HVAC installation project, including selecting the location of a thermostat, consult an HVAC professional, such as All Weather Heating & Cooling. They can advise you on the best location for your system’s control unit.
Other Ways to Help Your Thermostat Stay Efficient
Even the most effective thermostat is no match for a poorly insulated building. It’s crucial that a home has adequate insulation, including properly sealed doors and windows. This will help maintain a consistent temperature throughout the building.
Equally important is investing in regular maintenance of the HVAC system, which includes the thermostat. For an HVAC system to operate properly, the thermostat must communicate effectively with the rest of the equipment, and that equipment must be in good working order.
Any number of common problems, such as a loose wire or a faulty circuit, could cause the thermostat to fail to connect to the rest of the system, reducing its efficiency. Even if the thermostat itself is operating properly, the system may have issues with adequate heating or cooling if the rest of the machinery is not functioning correctly. Common problems can include dirty ducts or filters, faulty fans, or leaks. For these reasons, homeowners should have a trusted repair company provide basic maintenance for their HVAC systems at least once a year. By giving your thermostat a little attention, you can keep your HVAC system running efficiently all year. If it’s time to install a new thermostat, upgrade to a smart thermostat, or just get a checkup, contact your local HVAC contractor today.