Step-by-Step Guide: Installing a New Thermostat

Replacing your old thermostat with a new one is a very simple process. There are several reasons why you might want to change your old one, it's broken, old, or you just want an upgrade. This step by step, do it yourself guide will save you money. There is no need o hire someone to do a job that will only take you 10-15 minutes to do yourself.

Replacing the thermostat:
- Shut the power off to the furnace through the breaker box.
- Remove the old thermostat cover and disconnect the furnace wires.
- Being very careful that the wires do no fall behind the wall, remove the old mounting plate.
- Place the wires through the new mounting plate.
- Using a level, mark the spots where the screws will go. It's important to make it level to get an accurate reading.
- Drill holes at the appropriate points and then fasten the mounting plate to the wall. Check the level before you tighten the screws, making sure the plate is straight.
- Connect the wires, correctly and tightly. Then push the excess wire into the wall.
- Return the new face plate and hook it onto the base.
- Turn the furnace breaker back on.
- Program the unit, if necessary. Then adjust to your comfortable selection.

TIPS and REMINDERS
- After taking off the face plate of the old thermostat, take a close up digital picture of the wires. This will be your guide that will show you exactly how the wires should be hooked up. Handy in case you unhook everything and realize you didn't label them correctly.
- Label each wire so you know where each one goes, and hooks into. New thermostats should come with handy labels, but if not, tape works too. Just loop the tape around the wire, making sure there is a small tail from it that has the correct word / abbr.
- Tape wires to the wall if you think they might fall through the hole in the wall.
- Stuffing the hole around the wires with paper towels will help the thermostat's performance.
- Always use a level when placing the new thermostat, to ensure your sensors are correct. Make sure it is leveled and mark where your screws should go before fastening it to the wall. And double check after it's all done.
- If installing a thermostat yourself where there wasn't one before, the best option is to hire a specialist. If installed improperly, fire is a risk, and most insurance policies don't cover faulty wiring.