From straightforward digital thermostats with easy-to-read displays for accurate settings, to smart thermostats that adjust cooling and heating based on real-time energy prices, thermostats available today put homeowners in charge of energy expenditures and comfort. Find out how thermostats are changed in a house to upgrade your control of energy bills and home comfort.
How to remove a thermostat
You’ll be working with electrical wires, so turn off the power to the thermostat and cooling and/or heating system at the circuit panel as a safety precaution. Once you’ve turned off the power, follow these steps:
Remove the cover of your old thermostat. It may either snap off or slide up to be removed.
- The terminals that the wires are connected to should be labeled with letters. Write down the letter and tape it to each wire. It’s best not to rely on color-coded wires when connecting the new thermostat.
- Loosen the wire terminals, remove the wires and wrap the wires around a pencil to prevent them from disappearing inside the wall.
- Remove the screws holding the wall plate.
How to install the new thermostat
If your old thermostat was installed in a good location, you’ll simply install the new thermostat in the same spot. The thermostat should be about 5 feet above the floor, and away from direct sunlight, entry doors and supply outlets and return grilles.
- Place the wall plate of the new thermostat over the same spot as the old thermostat. If the holes line up, you can skip the next three steps.
- Use a level to align the new thermostat plate. Use a pencil to mark where the screws are installed.
- Use a 1/8-inch drill bit to make the new holes in the wall.
- Lightly tap wall anchors into the holes with a hammer.
- Pull the wires through the wall plate.
- Firmly attach the plate to the wall with the screws.
- Match the wires to the wire terminals and tighten them.
- Attach the thermostat to the wall plate.
- Turn on the power at the circuit panel.
- Test cooling and heating modes of your new thermostat.
For more details about how thermostats are changed in a house, call Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating in North Texas.
