How to Install a Programmable Thermostat

With the cost of fuel and the thoughts of cold winters, homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their energy costs. Once of the best places to put money back into your wallet is by replacing your old thermostat. Updating your thermostat will take about one hour and you will start to immediately start seeing saving benefits.

Depending on the thermostat model you select, you will have the option of day and night temperatures for each day of the week. For instance, if you get up at 7am and leave for work at 8:30am, you can have the thermostat turn up the heat ½ hour before you awake and then again reduce the temperature while you are at work. The end result will be that you save money on not only the energy to maintain your homes temperature but also you will save maintenance. Most people will also program the thermostat to lower the room temperatures during the evening when everyone is asleep.

Before beginning the installation, first take a few minutes to read the instructions with the new thermostat. Each manufacturer may have slightly different installation steps but here are the basics that you will find with most thermostats.

First turn off the power supply to the thermostat. If you don't know where this is, you can turn the power off at the circuit breaker.

Next remove the cover of your existing thermostat and make a drawing of each wire and the screws the go to. Once that's done, remove the old thermostat and mounting wall plate. Older thermostats used springs with glass tubes containing mercury. Be careful when handling and disposing of these types of thermostats.

Depending on your HVAC unit, you will see two or four wires. Be careful that the wires don't fall back into the wall.

Now that you have the old mounting plate off, take a moment to touch up any paint where the old thermostat was positioned (not necessary if the new thermostat completely covers the old thermostat footprint).

Now install the new wall plate making sure it is level. Most thermostats will provide drywall anchors for you to use.

Carefully connect the wires as indicated by the instructions.

Once the wires are attached, install the batteries and mount the thermostat to the wall plate (usually will snap into place).

Finally turn the power back on and program the thermostat as per the directions that come with it.