You will never guess from the following post – not an HVAC guy.
I have a good customer who asked if I could move the thermostat in his ranch house. I said sure, but why?
The existing thermostat is in a south facing room with a large sliding door. This room gets lots of sun in the winter and warms via solar energy.
The thermostat being located in this warmed room causes the rest of the house to remain too cool for the elderly couple’s liking.
My initial thought was to just move the existing thermostat to an interior hallway which is probably more like the “average” temperature of the house.
Another thread got me thinking (sometimes dangerous) and considering the following factors:
– Couple has lived in this home for about a year, moved in last March or so.
– They have weathered one summer cooling season in the house with no complaints as to the temperature.
– It is only now that the weather has finally turned cold that they are displeased with the temperature in the house.
I am speculating that the current thermostat location (in the south facing, warm room) suits them fine during the cooling season – perhaps producing a lower temperature in the “non-solar” rooms.
My question becomes —— Can a second thermostat be added in a more central location and used as a “winter / heating thermostat”?
The original thermostat would be left in place and used as the “summer / cooling thermostat”.
I am thinking about adding a switch at the furnace to change between the summer and winter thermostats.
Ranch house with excellent access above and good access below – running wire is no problem to 90%+ of the house.
I understand that leaving the furnace fan on at all times would help even out the temperature of the house — not an option — they have already tried that and do not like the constant noise or the “draft”.
The couple could be trusted to flip the appropriate switch(s) when needed to change from cooling to heating.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Jim
Replies
Sure. Makes a bit of sense, actually. You could get fancy with some relays so that no manual switch was needed, but KISS is probably in order.
Thanks for your input.
That's what I figured - thermostat, some wire and a switch or two - simple, bulletproof.
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
The hard part is finding a 3-pole or 4-pole switch. Radio Shack might be the place for that. You just need a low-voltage toggle switch.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
just looked at my T-stat.it has a switch on it for heat or cool (Huntr programmable)aren't T-stats that heat an cool 4 wire? 2 for heat, 2 for cool?couldn't you just not hook the wires up appropriately?
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter WFR
"But when you're a kibbutzer and have no responsibility to decide the facts and apply the law, you can reach any conclusion you want because it doesn't matter." SHG
"ust looked at my T-stat.it has a switch on it for heat or cool (Huntr programmable)aren't T-stats that heat an cool 4 wire? 2 for heat, 2 for cool?couldn't you just not hook the wires up appropriately?"No, not 2 for heat and 2 for cool.For a "basic" heat/cool you have a common. Then one for heat call, one for cooling call, and one for manual fan on. Some digital stats require a power run or batteries in the unit.Then you get into heat pumps and multiple stage equipment and you will have more wires..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Radio Shack is what I figured or maybe Grainger. Not sure of voltage yet - low for sure - 24 or 28.
Worst case scenario would be multiple switches - this HO can still be trusted to flip more than 1 switch.
Planning to label the switches and post some simple instructions at the switch box by the furnace.
Should only be a couple of steps for him to change the controlling thermostat. i.e., "For Heat: Turn den thermostat to "off". Turn hallway thermostat to "heat". Move toggle switch(s) up to "hallway". Set hallway thermostat to desired temperature."
Jim Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
24V. A 4-pole double-throw switch is probably the simplest approach -- just switch all four wires. Should only need one switch.Though actually you can get away with a 2-pole double throw switch, since you don't need to switch the fan and common wires, just the heat and AC.Doing it without a switch you'd want to use a relay, so that either the AC turned off the heat or vice-versa. Would have the advantage of leaving the thermostat powered so a digital one doesn't lose its settings.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
I'm wondering if there isn't a wireless controller that can be moved seasonally between the two locations?
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
There could well be - but we are deviating from KISS and bulletproof.
4 pole double throw switch + wire + thermostat.
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.