Thermostat/Return questions for new house

[aklevin]

We're having a new system installed in a house under construction. The house is two stories. Two questions:

1. What's the best place to install the thermostat on the 2nd floor? Our contractor asked us to decide between the main hallway and the master bedroom. I've always had the thermostat in the hallway, but he says it might be more accurate to have it in the master. Thoughts? It seems more convenient to have it in the hallway, but more accurate in the bedroom (although it'll only be accurate for the master bedroom, not the other 2 bedrooms upstairs, right?).

2. The contractor suggested putting returns in all 3 bedrooms plus the hallway, rather than 1 in the master and 1 in the hallway. He says the bedrooms will get better air flow this way, especially when doors are closed. This seems right to me, but am I missing something? Is there any reason not to do this? (price will be the same)

Thanks.

[gevans]

1. Separate returns cost the contractor more to install. Yep, they will increase your comfort. The only downsides: possible slight loss of efficiency and sound transfer from one bedroom to the next. Use your imagination on that one.
2. As long as the thermostat is on an interior wall, close to a return, and not in direct sunlight at any point during the day, it will be in a good location. With separate returns, it won't matter if the tsat is in the MBR or the hall. If you only use one return, the tstat MUST be in the hall.

[falkenater]

Your contractor is giving you good advice on the returns, try closing a bedroom door without a return and the fan running, you will find the door gets pushed closed by the positive pressure. Many times I have measured airflow with my flow-hood with the door closed and open to show customers how much airflow they lose with the door closed. Its like shuting off the register depending on how tight the door and room itself are.

[chandleraz_guy]

Contractor is right... I've thought about moving my t-stat to the master but I'm told almost all brands today make a noisy click.

I don't think Honeywell makes any 100 percent quiet t-stats so beware of the noise every time the unit cycles and in some cases even when the fan cycles.

[mrbee]

Hi, if the clicking bothers you, get a Honeywell VisionPro IAQ t-stat, it doesn't click at all, only the Equipment Interface Module clicks, and the Module is remotely mounted near the furnace. Regards, mrbee