Raise your hand if you still aren't using a programmable thermostat. Is it because it seems to expensive or difficult to do? Well put your hand back down and then to work while we tell you once and for all how to install and use a programmable thermostat to start saving energy and money (it takes less than an hour!)
What You Need
Materials
Programmable Thermostat (we used Honeywell's 5+2 RTH6300B &mdash it cost less than $60)
Tools
Phillips screwdriver
Small flat head screwdriver
Electric drill and
Drill bit (3/16” for drywall, 7/32 for plaster)
Hammer
Electrical Tape (optional)
Pencil
Level
AA Batteries
Instructions
1. Turn off electricity and power to HVAC system.
2. Remove Old Thermostat: Remove the old thermostat see wiring coming from the walls. NOTE: Don't throw away your old thermostat because many contain mercury &mdash contact your local waste authority to find the proposal disposal/drop-off facility.
3. Identify The Wires: Note the letters on the terminals where the wires attach. If any wires were not connected to terminals in your old thermostat, don't connect them to your new thermostat. Wrap the bare ends of any unused wires with electrical tape so they don't come in contact with the other wires.
4. Label Wires and Remove Old Thermostat: Unscrew the wires one at a time and mark the wires with the corresponding letters (our thermostat came with labeled stickers). Once all the wires have been labeled remove the old thermostat entirely from the wall.
5. Locate Wallplate Mounting Position: Place the new thermostat's wallplate one the wall and use a level and pencil to mark the mounting position.
6. Mount Wallplate: Drill holes at the pencil-marked locations and use your hammer to tap in the included anchors until they're flush with the wall. Place wallplate over anchors, insert screws, double-check that the wallplate is level and then tighten the screws.
7. Connect Wires: Using a screwdriver to loosen and tighten the terminals, attach the labeled wires to the corresponding terminals on the new thermostat. Keep any excess wire in the wall opening.
8. Install Batteries: Lastly, insert the AA batteries, put the wallplate on and turn the power back on. Our thermostat is designed so that the batteries can be changed without removing the thermostat from the wall or disrupting the programmed settings (the batteries used very little power and it should be noted we haven't needed to change ours in the 2+ years we've had our thermostat).
9. Program the Thermostat: Program the thermostat as outlined in the new thermostat's instruction manual. Because ours is a 5+2 thermostat, we have an option to have 5 days (M-F) with the one schedule and then a separate schedule for 2 days (Saturday and Sunday). For our particular model, the thermostat can run 4 cycles a day, so we have ours set to turn up about 30 minutes before the alarm goes off and stays on until we leave the house (1) and then turns back down while we're at work (2), then cycles back up about 30 minutes before we get home from work (3), and then turns back down shortly before we go to bed (4). Of course the temperatures settings will be reversed for the summer and the schedule cycles can also be overrun as needed.
Additional Notes: Installation will vary depending on your home's HVAC system and the thermostat you are using. Following the instruction manual and when in doubt contact a HVAC professional.
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(Images: Rachel Wray)
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Step 0) Call your electric company and see if they offer some kind of rewards program where it is free.
BGE in the Baltimore area has a program called peak rewards. When you enroll you get a free thermostat, and they come out and install it for you.
7a. call tech support and check with a human to make sure all your wires are accounted for and connected properly, even if you follow the installation guide, or you may find yourself blowing the transformer on your unit because a simple fuse that could have prevented such a thing was never installed.
It's not always that easy. When I pulled off our old faceplate, I found just ONE wire. One of those little "charms of old homes" discoveries. So I called an electrician who came and ran new, updated wires through the walls. His visit was less than $100 and I figure we'll make back the expense soon enough.
We got an inexpensive Honeywell thermostat at Costco ($36) in December. Our apartment has never been more comfortable and our gas bill has never been lower (in the winter months).
It was super easy to install, even though there were less wires in the wall than in the instructions.
My favorite feature is the timer... No more waking up to a super cold house. The furnace turns on a little before we get up and turns off when we go to work- and then back on around the time we come home and off when we go to bed.
No more waking up sweaty from forgetting to turn off the heater!
It's not always that easy.
I just follow these instruction carefully. I found some issues but actually it works!! :)
I just use the thermostat that's incorporated into my 70-pint Frigidaire Dehumidifier when I have it on because of the humidity where we live. Not sure if its 100% accurate though.
We installed the exact same thermostat when we moved into our house this summer! Our house is only about 13 years old, but it had a thermostat that seemed much older (probably just a super cheap one from the contractor). It wasn't too hard for us to change them out, even with very little experience with such things. WE haven't used it much yet since it's just starting to cool down (and our house seems insanely well insulated) but I'm anticipating really enjoying it this winter!