Trystan Casey
Replacing an old thermostat is a relatively simple DIY project that can help you save money on utility bills. Before replacing a thermostat, it is important to shut off the power to your thermostat at the breaker box and take a picture of the wiring for reference. Once the power is off, remove the old thermostat from the wall, keeping the disconnected wires hanging out, and make notes on how the wiring was attached. Then, install the replacement wall plate and hook up the new thermostat to the old wires, following the manufacturer's instructions. After mounting the thermostat base and control unit, restore power to your heating/cooling system and program the thermostat. Finally, test the unit to ensure that the furnace and air conditioning unit are functioning properly.
How to Replace a Thermostat on an Electric Furnace:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Turn off the power | Shut off the power to your thermostat at the breaker box. |
| Remove the old thermostat | Take a picture of the wiring for reference, then remove the old thermostat from the wall. |
| Label the wires | Use tape to label each wire, matching the letter of the connection on the thermostat base. |
| Tie the wires together | Keep the disconnected wires hanging out of the wall by tying them together or taping them to the wall. |
| Install the replacement wall plate | Slide the new base over the wires, level it, and mark the holes. Drill the holes and place the plastic inserts into the wall. |
| Connect the wires | Using a screwdriver, connect the wires to the new thermostat according to the labels and the instructions in the manual. |
| Mount the thermostat | Place the thermostat on the wall, ensuring it is flush and secure. |
| Restore power | Turn the power back on to the thermostat, furnace, and air conditioner. Install any required batteries. |
| Test the thermostat | Check that the replacement thermostat is working properly and that the furnace and air conditioning unit are cycling correctly. |
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What You'll Learn
Turn off the power to your heating and cooling system
Before replacing a thermostat, it is important to turn off the power to your heating and cooling system. This is a crucial safety measure and will protect you from electrical hazards.
First, check your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system at the main service panel. The circuit breaker should be clearly labelled. If you are unsure, check the user manual or seek advice from a professional electrician.
Once you have located the correct circuit breaker, turn off the power. You can then confirm that the power is off by adjusting the temperature on your current thermostat to a very high or very low temperature. If the furnace or air conditioning does not turn on, the power is off.
If your thermostat has a backup battery, you may need to remove the faceplate to fully disconnect the power. You can then begin to remove the old thermostat from the wall, taking care to note how the wiring is attached so that you can reconnect the wires to the new unit.
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Remove the old thermostat from the wall
Before removing the old thermostat from the wall, it is important to turn off the power to your heating and cooling system. Usually, there is an on/off switch on the unit. If not, turn off the power at your electric panel or fuse box. It is also recommended to cut the power to your HVAC system and thermostat at the main service panel.
Once the power is off, you can start removing the old thermostat. The first step is to take a picture of the wiring or make notes on how the wires are attached so that you can easily rewire the new unit. Label the wires with tape, matching the letter of the connection on the thermostat base. For example, if the blue wire is connected to terminal B, label the wire with "B". This will help you remember where each wire goes when installing the new thermostat.
Next, carefully unscrew any screws that are holding the wires in place and detach the wires from the terminals. Keep the disconnected wires organised by tying them together or taping them to the wall to prevent them from falling back into the wall.
Now, you can remove the old thermostat from the wall. The thermostat's body usually clips to a base that is attached to the wall via screws. Try tilting the bottom of the thermostat up towards the ceiling and then sliding it up off the base. You may need to use some force to detach it.
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$32.57
Label the wires and keep them exposed
Before removing the old thermostat, make sure to shut off the power to your thermostat at the breaker box. You can confirm that the power to your unit is off by adjusting the temperature on your current thermostat to either very hot or very cold and checking if the furnace turns on. If it doesn't, you're good to go.
Now, carefully remove the old thermostat from the wall. Take a picture of the thermostat's wiring and make notes on how all the wiring was attached. This will be useful when you install the new thermostat. Label the wires with tape, writing a letter on each wire that matches the letter of the connection on the thermostat base. For example, if the blue wire was in connection B, write "B" on a piece of tape and put it on the wire. This will ensure that you can easily identify and reconnect the wires when installing the new thermostat.
It is important to keep the disconnected wires exposed and hanging out of the wall. You can do this by tying the wires together or taping them to the wall to prevent them from falling back into the wall. A helpful tip is to wrap all the wires around a pencil, as the weight will keep them from slipping back into the wall.
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Install the new wall plate and connect the wires
Before installing the new wall plate and connecting the wires, ensure that you have purchased a compatible model. Most thermostats list their voltage and wiring details on the back of their faceplates. Check the instruction manual for local compatibility information. Depending on the age of your system, you may have a 24-volt or 240-volt hookup.
Now, you can install the new wall plate. Ensure that the power to your heating and cooling system is turned off. Usually, there is an on/off switch on the unit. If not, turn off the power at the electric panel or fuse box.
Next, remove the old thermostat from the wall. Take note of how the wiring was attached so that you can easily rewire the new unit. Label the wires with tape, matching the letter of the connection on the thermostat base. For example, if the blue wire was connected to terminal B, label the wire with "B". Ignore the wire colours, as thermostats wired by non-professionals may not adhere to the colour codes.
Keep the wires hanging out of the wall by tying them together or taping them to the wall. You can also wrap the wires around a pencil to prevent them from falling back into the wall.
Finally, connect the wires to the new thermostat. Insert each coloured wire into its corresponding initialled receptor. For example, a green wire would be inserted into the "G" receptor, and a red wire into the "R" receptor.
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Mount the thermostat and restore power
Mounting the thermostat is a simple process. First, make sure the thermostat base is securely attached to the wall, with the wires placed back into the wall if there is excess length. The thermostat should be flush against the wall, slightly above the wall plate. Slide it down so that it catches the grooves or screws on the wall plate and sits in place.
Next, mount the control unit to the base using the screws included with your thermostat. Tighten the screws securely.
Now, you can restore power to your heating and cooling system. Switch on the power at the breaker box and turn on the proper switches to restore power. Give it a minute to kick in. Don't forget to install the batteries—most systems require 2 AA batteries. Make sure the batteries are new and inserted correctly, with the correct polarities.
Finally, press the reset button to clear the program memory. Program the thermostat according to the manufacturer's instructions. Test the unit to make sure both the furnace and air conditioning unit are cycling properly.
If you have a two-wire system (heating or cooling only), refer to the instruction manual provided by the manufacturer for a detailed installation guide.
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Frequently asked questions
First, shut off the power to your heating and cooling system. Then, remove the old thermostat from the wall, taking note of how the wiring was attached. Install the replacement wall plate and attach the new thermostat to the old wires, following the manufacturer's instructions. Once the new thermostat is on the wall, turn the power back on.
You will need a screwdriver with multiple heads, as different thermostat brands use different screw styles. You may also need a small screwdriver to untighten the screws holding the wires in place.
It is important to buy a compatible model. Most thermostats list their voltage and wiring details on the back of their faceplates. Check the instruction manual for local compatibility information and consult a local HVAC company if in doubt.
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