How to Install a Programmable Thermostat

First things first- let's get the disclaimers out of the way. The following instructions are only the basics. It is important to read the manufacturer's instructions that come with your new thermostat prior to installation.

Step 1: Turn off the power
Ensure the power supply to the furnace and air conditioner are off by cutting power at the breaker box or removing fuses at the service panel. By all means, don't skip this step regardless of how great of an electrician you think you are! One wrong move and you'll be calling your local HVAC company for a repair to your furnace or air conditioner that will cost you much more than the $100 you saved by installing the thermostat yourself.

Step 2: Out with the old...
Remove the old thermostat cover and unscrew the old mounting plate from the wall. Do not disconnect any of the wires just yet. Your old thermostat has a letter associated with each wire. A smart do-it-yourselfer would grab some masking tape and label each wire prior to disconnection. Failure to label the wires could result in hours of wasted time or a slew of explicit language.
Now with the wires fully labeled, it is time to disconnect them from the screw terminals. It may be helpful to wrap the wires around a pencil to keep them from falling into the wall- after all, it is handy from just labeling your wires.

Step 3: In with the new
The first step of installing the new unit is to thread the wires through the new thermostat base. Ensure the base is level and sits flush with the wall. You can choose to mark your holes with a pencil, remove and drill new holes or renegade right through the holes in the base with a 3/16 inch hole at the new location. Next, lock the base into place by screwing the mounting screws into the wall. Double check the base is level before fully tightening the screws.

Step 4: Wire it up
It is a good idea to first consult the wiring diagram of the thermostat manufacturer's instructions. Next, mount the thermostat to the mounting plate and proceed with wiring. If necessary, use a wire stripper to remove about 1/4 inch of the plastic sheathing. Connect the wires to the screw terminals, matching the letters on the thermostat to the masking tape labels. The wire is wrapped under the screw head by turning clockwise to tighten.

Step 5: Fire it up
Turn the power back on and begin programming the unit. The manufacturer's instructions should contain the necessary programming information, as each unit is distinct in its programming process.

Just installing the unit, however, doesn't save you money. Pay attention to the following items when programming your unit for maximum savings potential.
- Most thermostats have four different settings (wake, away, evening, night/sleep). Adjust the times for each of these settings based upon your family's schedule
- When away during the day, set the temperature to drop (in the winter) or raise (in the summer) for at least eight hours. This maximizes your money savings as well.
- A good rule of thumb is to adjust the temperature by 7 degrees when you're away and 4 degrees when you are asleep.

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