Maybe you’re thinking about moving a thermostat in your home. It could be that accessing the thermostat is no longer convenient where it is and a more suitable location is required. Or maybe the unit doesn’t fit with the decor of a particular room and will blend in better elsewhere. A very practical reason for moving a thermostat is when the temperature at its present location differs substantially from other rooms in the house. Therefore, the unit doesn’t maintain accurate, comfortable temperature readings throughout all parts of the home.
Moving a Thermostat: Do It Yourself or Not?
Thermostats in most homes today are no longer basic three-wire units with a mercury switch that simply switches HVAC units on and off. Many units today incorporate technology such as programmable temperature scheduling, and Wi-Fi connectivity, and there are “smart” thermostats that learn your daily living patterns and compute appropriate temperature changes for you. These requirements make relocating a thermostat today a more complex procedure.
In most cases, it’s a job for a certified professional HVAC technician. Here’s what’s involved:
- Proper location is critical. If the thermostat doesn’t receive adequate air circulation and exposure to temperatures that are representative of the whole house, indoor comfort may be inconsistent in individual rooms or zones throughout the house.
- Newer thermostat models have up to six wires. Each wire must be routed through wall voids and/or the ceiling to required connections — including a power circuit — often at different locations. Holes must be opened in walls, and special tools are required to thread the wires through the structure to the proper destination.
- Increasingly popular wireless thermostats require no wiring. However, location of the unit must be tested to verify that the wireless signal reception is adequate at the air conditioner, furnace, and any other ancillary units that may be controlled by the thermostat. In addition, sensors to receive the signal from the thermostat must be installed at all HVAC units.
For more answers to questions about moving a thermostat, ask the professionals at Ace Hardware Home Services.
