Thermostat Location

[LX-Markham]

I'm starting to get the walls and ceiling closed in with drywall, and I thought I better start thinking about a location for the thermostat.

The recommendation is to place the thermostat where it will not be affected by the heat from the unit, on an interior wall, 5' above the floor, away from any frequently opened doors.

A. I don't really have an interior wall except for the north wall (the one on the right), it is insulated but unheated on the other side. The location would be somewhat convenient, but I'm worried it would be affected by the heat of the unit.

B. The most convenient location would be right next to the door, but that is both an exterior wall and located... well, next to the door.

C. Third option would be on the south wall, but that is also an exterior wall and really not very convenient since my truck gets parked right up against that wall.

A few details about the garage: it's a semi-detached 20'x20' garage with a vaulted ceiling. Walls and ceiling are insulated with closed cell spray foam. Two cars parked on the ground, one car up on the lift. Plan is for a Modine HD45 gas heater. The garage will not be kept at a constant temperature, I only want to heat it on the weekends when I'm doing work in the garage.

Suggestions? Recommendations?

 

[Rockhead261]

You really don't need to sweat the location of a stat in a single room. Use common sense, i.e. not in direct sunlight, not directly in front of a warm air supply, etc.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

You really don't need to sweat the location of a stat in a single room. Use common sense, i.e. not in direct sunlight, not directly in front of a warm air supply, etc.

X2. For your application, a common sense location will be fine.

Tommy

 

[pseudorealityx]

A couple other thoughts...

Mount the thermostat on a little 'pad' that would give it some insulation value. An extra piece of drywall, some styrofoam, etc. That will help a little for minimal effort.

Don't measure comfort with the number on the thermostat. People get too caught up in some mental idea that "I am comfortable at 75, but uncomfortable at 76." Pay attention to what you actually feel instead of a number.

 

[LX-Markham]

Thanks for the reassurance! Location 'B' it is.

Any advice on what kind of cable to install? Is it just a CAT5? Or something specific for thermostats?

 

[Rockhead261]

Any advice on what kind of cable to install? Is it just a CAT5? Or something specific for thermostats?

24VAC will run fine on anything as small as #24 but I like go with #22 whenever possible. CAT5 is pretty small but you can use the twisted pairs as single conductors to compensate. DON'T split the pairs!

 

[DC73]

The main thing about a thermostat location is that you want it to sense the overall temperature of the room and to not be affected by any sources of heat or cold. You wouldn't want to install it where a supply vent can blow air directly on it. You wouldn't want to install next to the engine bay of a car that was just parked. Or near a light that gives off heat. Or where the sun can shine on it through a window, etc.

Agree with pseudorealityx on installing a piece of insulation under the t-stat, especially if you choose an exterior wall.

As far as thermostat wire, you can buy small rolls fairly cheap at Home Depot or Lowe's. Make sure you know how many wires your system will need as they sell different bundles.

DC

 

[LX-Markham]

I think I have this all figured out now, thanks guys!

Weird, I can find thermostat wire on the American Home Depot and Lowe's websites, but not on the Canadian sites. Doesn't matter, I found some at the local electronics store right around the corner from my office.

http://www.sayal.com/STORE/View_SPEC.asp?SKU=216824

 

[raceman6135]

Weird, I can find thermostat wire on the American Home Depot and Lowe's websites, but not on the Canadian sites.

Here is some 18/5 -- more than what you need, but might be an option in case you want to change/upgrade systems later:

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/18-5-lvt-brown-ft4-228m-75ft/981370

Here is some 18/2 if you're doing heat only:
https://www.lowes.ca/building-wire-...randed-copper-wire-by-the-metre_g1482973.html

 

[Renfrick1]

18/6. Always run more. You know how many times I've had a bad wire?

 

[UKAuto]

Funny, I was looking for images of people's HD-9SWX lifts, as I am designing my garage to fit one - and for a moment it looked like you had a normal narrow lift... then I realized how you are using it (I assume you wanted the two car wide clearance below - and with the roof could only accommodate one car "upstairs").

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I think I have this all figured out now, thanks guys!

Weird, I can find thermostat wire on the American Home Depot and Lowe's websites, but not on the Canadian sites. Doesn't matter, I found some at the local electronics store right around the corner from my office.

http://www.sayal.com/STORE/View_SPEC.asp?SKU=216824

If the pic is accurate, that wire is WAAAY overkill. You do NOT need shielded wire for a T-stat. Good old plain 4 or 5 conductor is fine.

Tommy

 

[Jarnipman]

I went through this on my 30x40 shop, I tested the t-stat on a 60 foot piece of wire all over the shop before permanently wiring it in and I could honestly not tell the difference at all no matter where i put it, 40 feet from the heat by the door to the frozen wasteland was the same as sticking it on the side of the heater - but my heater has a big #ss fan so that makes a difference in blending the air quickly.

 

[dave*99]

Do you have a ceiling fan? You will want to move all of that warm air down from the ceiling.