Back to Thermostat Guide >>>

Thermostat Installation Guide

We suggest you find or research a professional when ready to install a new thermostat.  If you're unsure in any way, call your local technician.  However, if you feel you're capable and ready to install your new programmable thermostat yourself, read all instructions and the manual that comes with your thermostat completely and carefully first before beginning with these basic instructions:

How to Install Your Thermostat

  • Disconnect all power that is hooked up to your current thermostat make and model.

  • Take off the thermostat cover. 

  • Find all of the wiring with your furnace.  Unless you're well-trained in home mechanics, you'll want to write down the wire line terminal designations for later. You can match up the new labels with the old ones.

  • Disconnect all of the furnace wiring.

  • Now you're ready to disassemble your old thermostat body, being careful not to lose or tangle any of the wiring behind the wall. 

  • Drill holes into the wall for your new programmable thermostat.

  • Connect the wires through the spaces designed for them on your new thermostat subbase, either purchased separately, or most likely in the box with your new thermostat.  (The subbase is simply the back of the thermostat that mounts first.)

  • Screw in (or dry wall anchor) the subbase with the wires already through.

  • This step is very important and key to your safety!  Connect the wires to their proper terminals, matching labels EXACTLY!

  • Finish by attaching the thermostat to the base.

If you'd like a quick, wire line terminal reference, here is a compilation of common designations you will possibly run into during installation, depending on which thermostat you have chosen for your home:

Letter Use Color (differs between manufacturers)
R heating power red
C common wire from secondary side of cooling system transformer or heat only system transformer changes
Rh power for heating changes
Rc power for cooling changes
Y cooling; cooling and heating on a heat pump; compressor relay yellow
W heat relay (W1, W2) white
G fan relay green
O cooling changeover orange
B heating changeover blue or orange
X common side of transformer, needed on some electronic thermostats blue, brown, or black
E emergency heat relay on a heat pump blue, pink, gray, or tan
T outdoor anticipator reset tan or gray
W2 second stage of heat pink or other
Y2 second compressor stage blue or pink
L indicator lamp blue, brown, tan, or gray
X2 second stage of electric heat black
F for systems that control fan in a call for heat none

Back to Thermostat Guide >>>