Home LivingSmart Home5 mistakes everyone makes with smart thermostatsThe most common smart thermostat mistakes and how to fix themWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Home LivingSmart Home5 mistakes everyone makes with smart thermostatsThe most common smart thermostat mistakes and how to fix themWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

The most common smart thermostat mistakes and how to fix them

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Hive)

Woman sitting on the sofa petting her dog next to a Hive thermostat mounted on the wall

(Image credit: Hive)

Do you forget to turn down your heating when you leave the house? Or you turn up your thermostat as high as it can go when you feel the chill? If you’re doing these things, you’re making some serious (but pretty common) mistakes with your smart thermostat.

Depending on how you set up and use your smart thermostat, you could be negatively affecting the cost of your bills and how warm and comfortable your home is. Here are five mistakes everyone makes with smart thermostats and how you can fix them.

1. Setting it at the wrong temperature

The right temperature settings for your home are completely unique to you. Some people feel the chill while others run hot, so finding a good balance can be tricky if you share a home with multiple people. In general, many people tend to overheat their homes when autumn and winter arrives. Having a house that’s too hot or too cold can disrupt your sleep, make you feel uncomfortable and overexerting your thermostat can increase your energy bills.

According toBritish Gas, the ideal room temperature should be between 18-20 degrees. Stick to this advice for heating your home, and if you have rooms that find it hard to hold onto heat, make sure to close doors and windows, and invest in a draught excluder.

2. Installing it in the wrong place

An easy mistake to make is setting up your smart thermostat in the wrong place. Where you install your smart thermostat is extremely important as it’ll affect how your thermostat measures the temperature of your rooms and make adjustments. For example, installing a smart thermostat in a room that’s too hot or cold, or that’s too close to heat or cold-generating appliances is a big no-no.

Smart thermostats should be installed in the most frequented room in your house to give you more accurate readings and to ensure your home is heated or cooled properly all year round. Thebest place to install your smart thermostatis on an interior wall, five feet from the floor, close to your internet connection, and away from heat sources like lamps, windows, radiators and electronics.

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox

Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts

(Image credit: Google)

Someone adjusting a Google Nest thermosta

(Image credit: Google)

3. Turning your heating off when you leave the house

4. Turning it up for a quick fix

5. Not using the smart thermostat app

Today’s best Google Nest Thermostat and Hive Thermostat Mini deals$129.99$99.95View$129.99$99.95View$129.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best Google Nest Thermostat and Hive Thermostat Mini deals$129.99$99.95View$129.99$99.95View$129.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best Google Nest Thermostat and Hive Thermostat Mini deals

$129.99$99.95View$129.99$99.95View$129.99View

$129.99$99.95View

$129.99$99.95View

Google Nest Thermostat -…

Amazon

Prime

$129.99$99.95View

$129.99$99.95

$99.95

$129.99$99.95View

$129.99$99.95View

Google Nest Thermostat -…

Amazon

Prime

$129.99$99.95View

$129.99$99.95

$99.95

$129.99View

$129.99View

Google Nest Thermostat…

Crutchfield

$129.99View

$129.99

$129.99

Show More Deals

Show More Deals

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Leica SL3-S

New Leica SL3-S might be the dream camera for most peopleIt’s the ultimate modern Leica camera

It’s the ultimate modern Leica camera

Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 official – and here’s when you can see the games tooNintendo has finally announced its worst kept secret

Nintendo has finally announced its worst kept secret

EE

Waking up for work is tough in the winter – but smart tech can help you avoid that snooze buttonHow smart tech makes winter mornings run smoother

How smart tech makes winter mornings run smoother

Honeywell Home X2S

Honeywell launches first Matter-enabled smart thermostat – and it’s surprisingly affordableHoneywell Home debuts its X2S smart thermostat at CES 2025

Honeywell Home debuts its X2S smart thermostat at CES 2025

Withings OMNIA

Withings’ smart mirror combines a smartwatch and scales into a full-length health scannerWithings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025

Withings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025

LG smart gardening lamp

LG’s latest smart lamp grows indoor plants and sets the mood – but you might not get oneLG combines smart lighting with indoor gardening

LG combines smart lighting with indoor gardening

Samsung 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub

Samsung announces new AI home screens for its smart fridges and laundry appliancesSamsung previews its CES launches, including new AI Home screens

Samsung previews its CES launches, including new AI Home screens

Smart Home releases 2024

I’m a smart home expert – these are the best smart home releases from 202411 smart home releases from 2024 actually worth buying, including Amazon Echo and Google Nest

11 smart home releases from 2024 actually worth buying, including Amazon Echo and Google Nest

Homey Pro Mini

Homey launches affordable smart home hub for less than $200It’s available to preorder from today

It’s available to preorder from today

Hisense CES launcheS

Hisense’s CES smart home launches have been revealed – and they’re about to make household chores a lot easierThere are five new products altogether

There are five new products altogether