How to Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat

Changing to a programmable thermostat means you can come back to a warm house after a day of work - or wake up to a warm house - without leaving the heat on all day or night.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• labels

1. Go to your house's breaker box or fuse box and turn off the power leading to the old thermostat.

2. Take off the old thermostat's faceplate.

3. Label the wires connecting to the old thermostat, paying attention to the color of the wires and to which terminal they're connected to.

4. Disconnect the wires from the thermostat terminals.

5. Connect the new thermostat, following directions specific to it and paying attention to how you labeled the wires.

6. Snap the new thermostat into place.

7. Go to the breaker box and turn the power back on.

8. Program the new thermostat according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

9. Test the new thermostat by setting it at different temperatures.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay attention to the old thermostat and match its type (heating electric or heating gas) to a thermostat that will work with your current system.
• Disconnect the power by tripping the circuit breaker. Be sure the power is off before you attempt to work with the thermostat.

[Vilma]

on 6/9/2008 very helpful.