Are you thinking of buying a smart thermostat? That would be a great idea, and it is possible to believe that you can do the installation without paying extra for a professional. You need to have a basic idea about the fixation, but it is not a hard thing to install it with the instruction guide. If you get scared of wiring and circuits, you might get those questions in your mind, such as “are smart thermostats easy to install?” or “Can I install a smart thermostat myself?” Don’t overthink about it. This article will guide you to smart thermostat install without any fear.
How do I connect my smart thermostat? – Smart thermostats install in detail!
First, you need to have these tools with you for the installation.
- Head screwdriver
- A pencil
- Needle nose pliers
- Power drill
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Check the existing heating and cooling system. Never miss this step when you do smart thermostats install!
Before installing the thermostat, you need to check whether the HVAC or heating and cooling systems are correctly working. If it is not checked before installation, there might be electric shorting, damaging the new thermostat.
2. Test the wiring to make sure the low-voltage thermostat system is functioning correctly.
The voltage of the thermostat system should be 24 VAC. Please be cautious not to install the thermostat to a high voltage system. If there is a system with 120V or 240V, it is a high voltage system. If there’s a system with 18 gauge wires which are 2-9 thick and the cables are coming from the wall and connects to the thermostat’s circuit, it is a low voltage system. In the wire terminals, you can see labels such as C, O, W, W2, Y, Y2, R, RC, RH, G, etc.
3. Disconnect the heating and cooling systems.
You have the option of switching off the heating and cooling system by turning off the circuit breaker or a nearby switch that controls the furnace’s power. To check whether there is no power, you can use a voltage detector. When changing thermostats, always be sure to turn off the HVAC before making any adjustments. You can explore a transformer or a fuse by combining the C and R wires.
4. Take the thermostat cover off.
Don’t disconnect the wires when you are removing the thermostat cover. It would be easy to take a snap of how wires are connected and use it later for labelling.
5. Take of the backplate of the old thermostat.
Now you can remove the thermostat wires from the backplate. You may need to remove tiny screws or use a pen to push small tabs on the model to free the wires. Remove the nuts holding the backplate from the wall with a screwdriver.
6. Assemble the new backplate as a sample
Mark the wall using the backplate of the new thermostat and a pencil. Drill holes for the backplate screws. (If needed, install wall anchors.) Before screwing the thermostat into the wall, make sure to draw the thermostat wires through the backplate.
7. Reattach the wires
Wires should be matched up to the new thermostat ends before connecting them. There is no need to push down on the terminal tab when entering the wire. Once the wire has been entirely inserted, give it a gentle pull to secure it. Take a photo for subsequent use as a guide. Using this information, you may set up the thermostat.
8. Place the new faceplate.
You should be able to attach the faceplate of your new thermostat onto the backplate now that the wire is in place. Forcing an item that doesn’t want to attach is terrible because the wires could get in the way. Before attempting to reattach the faceplate, put them back into the wall.
9. Connect the thermostat to the internet
After powering on your new smart thermostat, it will most likely walk you through a series of prompts to connect to Wi-Fi and configure its associated smartphone app. This process stage varies according to the make and model, so pay close attention to the prompts. With your new smart thermostat in place, you’ll immediately begin saving money.
Smart Thermostats Install – Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a smart thermostat without a C wire?
The thermostat installation does not require the C wire, and it keeps the thermostat at a constant 24 volts. If the C wire is present, it serves as a backup power supply for the batteries. You can use the smart thermostat solely on batteries if there’s no C wire. The thermostat will not discharge the batteries because it is just using the power from the batteries to run itself. The batteries should last a year or more, depending on how frequently you use them.
What operating system runs a smart thermostat?
You need iOS 10 or Android 5.0 to use the Smart Thermostat app.
How many wires does a smart thermostat need?
Except for the C wire, you need six wires to install the smart thermostat. The wire known as the C-wire is necessary to guarantee that your thermostat receives a steady supply of power. C-wires are essential if you want to program your air conditioner or heater to come on at a specific time or temperature. Even if a c-wire isn’t required, some manufacturers, like Nest, still recommend it for best results. The following is the industry standard thermostat wire colour code that is applied in the majority of systems:
White – connects to the heat.
Yellow – connects to the compressor.
Green – connects to the fan.
Orange – connects to the heat pump (if suitable).
Red (C) – connects to the cooling system.
Red (H) – connects to the heating system. In certain instances, people may read this wire without an “H.”
Blue – “C” wire.
How do I reset the thermostat remotely?
Your smart thermostat may be unresponsive, but you may restore normal operation by restarting or resetting it to the factory settings. Go to settings > reset > network > confirm to reset the thermostat. To connect your thermostat to your Wi-Fi, follow the on-screen directions. This step typically solves the issue. However, it takes some time.
How much does it cost to install a smart thermostat?
In the USA, it costs between $250 to $350 to install a smart thermostat. In Australia, the installation cost starts from $189.
Do you need an electrician to install a thermostat?
If you’re even a little competent, hiring an electrician to help you install a new thermostat might sound ridiculous. A new “smart” thermostat that needs a constant power supply and you don’t already have a C-wire may require the assistance of a professional to be installed appropriately.
Is it worth installing a smart thermostat?
If you are the right person to use a smart thermostat, investing money in it might be worth it. Smart thermostats help to save electricity as well as your cash. If you got a smart thermostat, you can control your temperature remotely, and you can customize the temperature too. But for some people, this won’t be beneficial. There are many factors such as which smart thermostat you are going to choose, how the thermostat features will be helpful for you, etc.
