Thermostat Replacement DIY

Thermostat Replacement DIY

When you cannot control the heat or cool air in your home, the thermostat might be the one to blame. This mechanism is what helps you adjust the temperature inside the home, so you can feel comfortable all year round. Consider replacing it on your own so you can save some money by not having to hire a professional to do so.

Thermostats can range in price depending on what you’d like. A manual thermostat can cost between $30 to $60, a digital thermostat will run between $100 to $150 and a smart thermostat can cost upwards to $300 or $400. Simple tools, as well as the thermostat of your choice is all you need to replace the old one with the new one, even if it is just a simple upgrade.

Don’t let the wires, breakers, mechanisms and more intimidate you. You want to be able to replace your thermostat without the fear of the unknown. Many people would pay someone in the hundreds to replace their thermostat when the whole project can take no more than a half hour to complete from start to finish.

Save yourself money and consider this an easy-to-do DIY project that allows you to learn a bit more about how your home works and how you can control the temperature inside it. Replacing your own thermostat might also make you feel more confident about taking on other house projects, as well.

1. IMPORTANT - Turn off the power to the AC and furnace This should go without saying, but sometimes because it is not stated in the directions, people will skip this step and then things can happen, bad things. Turn the power off and you’re good to go.

You can either flip them off by using the breaker box or you can turn them off directly (or both!).

A lot of people may not think that this needs to be done but you’re going to be wiring the new thermostat where the old one was, so you want to protect yourself at all costs. Turning the power off to the system is the best (and smartest) way to go about replacing it.

2. Lift the face off the old thermostat This will then give you an idea of what is hiding under it. This is what you’re going to be replacing with the new thermostat. The best way to remember where all those little wires and cords go is to take a picture. Use your phone, use a digital camera or even a Polaroid camera if you have one.

Must remember where the wires go!

3. Disconnect and remove from the wall Disconnect all of the wires from the system, you may need to use a small screwdriver to do this.

You want to do so carefully since these wires can break and you want to use them again. Once all disconnected, remove the backing from the wall.

4. Out with the old, in with the new You will want to add your new thermostat to the place where your old one sat. There’s probably a nice shadow from having the old thermostat sit there for so long, but you can cover that right up.

Place the new back to the thermostat in the area and pull the wires through. You can use your picture to remember which wires go to which letter. For easy reference, usually the red wires go with the ‘R’ and the green with the ‘G’ and so on.

Some models might have you screw the wires in while some might have you just push them in until they’re completely connected. You want to make sure that the backing or mount is screwed into the wall, though, even if the wires do not have to be.

5. Attach the new thermostat face If you want to change the temperature in the home and actually be able to use the thermostat then it will need the face. This can simply be added to the brackets on the mount, just like the old one was sitting on the wall.

Click it into place and then you’re set to use it when you turn everything back on!

6. Turn the AC and furnace back on In order to use the thermostat, you will have to make sure that you have power running to the cords that are connected to it. Set the thermostat after you’ve turned the systems back on and see if it kicks on.

Make sure you turn on the AC and furnace the same way you turned them off - or they’re not going to work- of course.

You can then configure the settings, set the time and so on with the new thermostat if you have purchased a digital or smart one. The manual ones just need to be moved to the correct position and then they don’t need anything more done to them.

A lot of homeowners are considering the move to a smart thermostat since this allows them to adjust the temperature inside their home from wherever they are through their phone or tablet.

Lower, raise or make the home more comfortable for your pets. The choice is yours.

Knowing how easy it is to replace a thermostat should give you the boost of confidence that you need to replace the old one that is inside your home. Don’t deal with a broken, outdated or sometimes working thermostat and save yourself the trouble. Replace that old one today easily and with just a handful of steps that need to be taken!

Pat yourself on the back, you’ve replaced your own thermostat and can be happy about it. It wasn’t hard and you took the necessary precautions. Now you can enjoy your new thermostat until it is time to change it out once again.