Anybody have experience with DIY install of a programmablle thermostat?

[struggle4progress]

How hard is it? Any brand recommendations?

[Stinky The Clown]

1. I have done two of them.

In both cases, all I had to do was disconnect the existing wires from the old thermostat and reconnect them to the new thermostat. In any modern installation, the wire colors are pretty much standard.

[struggle4progress]

2. Thanks. That doesn't sound bad.

Of course, with my luck, all the wires in this old place will be the same color -- or the thermostat will turn out to be a critical structural feature of the wall

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

3. It is simple.

old house wiring is too. Pull the old one out -mark the wires so you know which wire goes to which terminal screw .Oh ah, turn off the power to it like it says in the install directions.! Take what you got down to a electrical supply and ask them to set you up with your programmable thermostat. They will show you what you need to know to swap it out.As you know,.some people don't have or know how to use a volt ohm meter. Actually the old twist knob thermostats are not so easily located these days- it has changed to the electronic age.But the wiring is still basic as anyone at a electrical supply will tell you.And they will explain to you why the new type are very cool.

I recently replaced the old twist button style with the same because I did not want somebody to push buttons-I had to go to several different locations to get the old style which means the old style isn't stocked everywhere you can by thermostats.,Actually at ace hardware or true value -is where I located one,a store that still sells those old switches fer the 90 year old houses -stuff like that. If you take the old one with you to the electrical supply-they will fix you up with your new updated one based on the existing wiring and the voltage. Your thermostat has that info. on it although there are only about two types of voltage in the 12 volts 17 volts so on.Unless it's a 110 or 220 volt hard wire such as forced air in wall mount or the base board heat with wall mount thermostat.

Again, it is pretty simple.

[beac]

4. Yes, we installed one last year.

Our house is 150 years old with almost-as-old baseboard radiators. We did a lot of research on programmables and ended up with this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EW80Q0/ref=oss_product (which I notice is on sale for about $30 less than we paid for it during a smaller sale.)

Prior to buying, I went on the Honeywell website and used the "Contact Us" link to confirm which models would work with my system: https://yourhome.honeywell.com/home/Applications/ContactUs.aspx They got back to me within 24 hours (on the weekend!).


This site was incredibly helpful with the installation process: http://www.kevinfreitas.net/journal/replace-old-thermostat/


If you're not sure what kind of thermostat you need, this site might help: http://www.prothermostats.com/find_thermostat.php


Good luck (but you shouldn't really need it, it's EASY with the right info!) :hi:




edited for typo