Step by Step Instructions for Installing a Programmable Thermostat
By Mark J. Donovan
One of the best ways you can save on heating bills in the
winter time is by installing a programmable thermostat in your home.
Programmable thermostats, such as the
Lux Products Touch Screen 7 Day Programmable Thermostat TX9000TS, come in a variety of styles and functions; however
at a minimum all let you program the temperature of your home, or section of
a home, to several settings throughout the day. For example, you can program
them for a wake up setting for early morning, a day setting when no one is
home, an evening setting when folks get home from school and work, and a
night setting while you sleep.
A programmable thermostat costs
around $50 to $75 dollars. However a programmable thermostat can save you a
couple of hundred dollars a year on your heating bills. Thus the payback
period on the investment is less than 4 months.
Installing a programmable
thermostat is relatively inexpensive and easy to do. Typically all you need
for tools is a screwdriver, wire-cutters, hammer, and a drill.
Photo by: Mark Donovan
Check Existing
Thermostat before Buying a Programmable Thermostat
Before installing a
programmable thermostat first check what type of thermostat your home currently
uses.
Turn off power to
your heating system first.
Remove the old thermostat cover to determine what type you have. If it has a
couple of thin wires connected to it, then you can easily replace it with a
programmable one since the thermostat is low voltage system. If, however, the
system has larger wires coming into it then chances are it is powered into a
120-volt circuit. If you have this type of thermostat system then you should not
install a programmable thermostat on your own. Instead call an electrician. This
said, most residential thermostat systems use low voltage systems.
Installing
Programmable Thermostat - Turn Power Off to Heating System First
Turn the heating system off at
the circuit breaker panel.
Remove
Existing Thermostat Cover and Wires
Remove the existing thermostat
cover from the wall plate. Then remove the wall plate.
Label the wires with tape before
removing them from the wall plate. Mark each piece of wired tape with the
letter associated with the wall plate screw terminal that it is attached to.
Then unscrew the wires from the wall plate.
Find a Qualified Residential Electrical Contractor in Your Area
Get Free Quotes. Easy, Quick and No
Obligations!
For the home improvement or home remodeling project that is
too big for you, check out our partner
NeedContractor. They are a national
resource for finding pre-screened, insured, and licensed home improvement and remodeling contractors in your local area.
Get Matched in 48 hours with Residential
Electrical
Contractors!
Also tape the wires, or sheathing
that wraps the individual wires to the wall so that they do not fall down
the hole. If this happens you will have a big problem fishing them out of
the wall.
Install the batteries into the
programmable thermostat
Attaching the
Thermostat wall plate
Attach the Programmable
thermostat wall plate to the wall using the screws provided. Make sure it is
level. Use a pencil to mark the exact location where you want to install the
wall plate and mark the location of the screws holes.
Next, using your drill, drill
small pilot holes into the marked locations.
Now, using a hammer, install the
plastic anchors that came with the new thermostat into the drilled holes.
Wiring up the
Programmable Thermostat
Push the bundle of wires through
the wall plate.
Next, attach the taped wires to
the correspondingly marked screw terminals on the back of the programmable
thermostat, as the manufacturer instructions indicate.
Then snap the programmable
thermostat onto the wall plate.
Turn Power
Back On to the Heating System
Turn the power onto the heating
system and test out your new thermostat. Typically the Energy Star type
programmable thermostats already come pre-programmed. You can set them to
your own preferences if you prefer. You can also run them in a manual mode.
With that you have completed the
installation of your programmable thermostat, and you have begun to save
lots of money heating and cooling your home.
How to Finance your Home Electrical Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Additional Home Electrical Wiring Resources
Programmable Thermostats from Amazon.com
Electrical
Contractor Price Quotes For FREE,
No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on residential electrical work from one of our prescreened and licensed
electrical contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to
continue once you receive your electrical contractor price estimate.
, come in a variety of styles and functions; however
at a minimum all let you program the temperature of your home, or section of
a home, to several settings throughout the day. For example, you can program
them for a wake up setting for early morning, a day setting when no one is
home, an evening setting when folks get home from school and work, and a
night setting while you sleep. 
