Programmable thermostats really are awesome inventions because they help make your life a whole lot easier. You can simply program them to turn on and off at specific times of the day and night, and you can set specific temperatures, so you are comfortable in your home no matter what time.
Furthermore, these things can also go quite a long way in helping you to save money when it comes to heating and cooling costs. However, before you can program the thermostat or put it to use, you need to install it first. How to install a programmable thermostat is what we are here to figure out right now.
How To Install A Programmable Thermostat
We want this process to be as easy as possible for you, so we are going to go through a simple step by step process on how to install a programmable thermostat. Let’s get right to it.
- The first thing that you need to do, before you install a programmable thermostat, is to make sure that you buy the right one. First off, the new programmable thermostat you get needs to match the control voltage of your heating and/or cooling system. Some have control voltages of 120 volts or more, and some come in around 30 volts or less. You will want to bring the old thermostat to the shop where you will buy the thermostats0f-20nt, so the pros can tell you which type of programmable thermostat you will need. If you cannot bring the thermostat for whatever reason, take some photos of the old thermostat, preferably with the model number included in the images.
- Before you buy any programmable thermostat, you will also need to figure out whether you need one that is just for heating, or for both heating and cooling. If you need a thermostat only for heating purposes, you can help yourself out and save some cash by purchasing a heat only thermostat. If you do not have a cooling system, there is literally no point in purchasing a heating and cooling thermostat.
- Ok, now you have purchased your new programmable thermostat, the right one, but before you can begin the installation process, you do still want to read the manufacturer’s instructions. You need to read the manual so you can select the proper settings, with one important setting being whether to choose between gas or electric heating. Simply put, reading the manual can help you avoid problems in the long and short term.
- Now that you have your new programmable thermostat and have read the manual from front to back, it is time to begin the installation process, which starts by removing the old thermostat. First and foremost, be sure to turn the power to thermostat off by switching the main breaker off or by removing the right fuse from the fuse box. You want to be as safe as can be, so turn the power off.
- Once the power has been turned off, it is time to remove the cover and the control panel from the old thermostat. Most older thermostats allow for the removal of the cover and control panel simply by snapping them off, but some may require you to unscrew a couple of screws. Either way, this needs to go. Once the cover and control panel is gone, be sure to label the wires coming out of the wall accordingly, such as heat and water. You will need to know which wires are which when you go to put the new programmable thermostat on.
- Get a screwdriver and unscrew the baseplate of the old thermostat from the wall. Here you will want to either spread the wires out enough or tape them to the wall so that the wires do not fall back into the wall when you go to remove the old thermostat’s base plate. You will need these wires to connect your new thermostat.
- Now you can screw in the base plate for your new programmable thermostat. The existing holes in the wall may match up with your new thermostat, or they might not. If the holes do not match, you will need to drill a few new ones to match the screw holes of the new thermostat. Make sure to use the right drill bit size for the included screws. If the thermostat in question requires batteries, now is the time to insert them.
- Now you need to reconnect the wiring. Reattach the wires to the new programmable thermostat according to their functions and positions. Depending on the model you have, you may need to connect the wires to the base plate or to the thermostat itself. Take your time here because you need to ensure that the right wires are connected to the proper connecters.
- Attach the control panel and faceplate of the new programmable thermostat. This may require you to screw them on, or they may just snap on too. Now you can turn the power back on to the thermostat and program it as you see fit. Different models will require different setup and programming processes, which once again means that the manual comes in very handy.
Conclusion
There you have it folks, everything you need to know about how to install your new programmable thermostat so you can get back to living in comfort in no time at all.