Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey replaces an old thermostat with a smart thermostat without replacing the original two wires in the wall.
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Time: 2-3 hours
Cost: $300
Skill Level: Difficult
Tools List for Upgrading a Smart Thermostat:
Drill driver [https://amzn.to/2RNofUq]
Small flathead screwdriver [https://amzn.to/36N95Cy]
Shopping List:
Smart thermostat [https://amzn.to/2tcUF0S]
Thermostat wire [https://amzn.to/31kxP4g]
Steps:
1. Start by turning off the service switch at the furnace.
2. Remove the old thermostat.
a. Pull off the front cover.
b. Unscrew the screws inside.
c. Disconnect the wires.
d. Pull off the back cover.
3. Mount the hub in a convenient location near the furnace using a drill and a few screws.
4. Disconnect the wiring from the thermostat to the furnace and run that wiring to the hub. There’s an obvious place on the hub to screw the wires in properly.
5. Run the thermostat wire from the furnace to the hub. The red wire goes to R, the white wire goes to W, and the blue wire (common wire) goes to C.
6. Mount the new thermostat back cover at the location of the old one. This might require drilling for new screws.
7. Using the old two wires, wire the new thermostat and connect it to the back cover.
8. Turn the service switch back on at the furnace.
9. Download the smart app and program it to the thermostat following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Resources:
Richard installed the InvitaTM Wifi Thermostat 564, which is manufactured by Tekmar Controls (http://www.tekmarcontrols.com/).
About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show,Ask This Old Houseanswersthe steady stream of home improvement questions askedby viewersacross the United States.Covering topicsfrom landscaping toelectrical to HVAC and plumbingto painting and more.Ask This Old House features the expertsfrom This Old House, includinggeneral contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram,and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.
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Watch the full episode:
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How to Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat without Changing the Wiring | Ask This Old House
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View Comments
Great video!
Where does a guy buy a hub? Thanks
Thanks for sharing
What if your furnace is a gas wall heater?
But what if you've already got a Nest thermostat that you want to use in the same scenario?
... because all the wiring you needed was exposed ...
Was that thing over 600 bucks. I think I will pass, my heat only furnace need simple programmable stat
I'm not sure what planet Richard is living on but there are a lot of Wi-Fi thermostats that don't need a common wire "C". You may need to replace the double A batteries once a year but that is about it.
I’m gonna mount this to the peg board...’cause who you kidding about using these tools?
Cowboy, he is no electrician..look how much naked wire he's left exposed a disaster waiting to happen by arking wires.
Low voltage wires!