Lower your utility bills with a programmable thermostat.
Tired of heating or cooling an empty house while you're away? In about an hour, you can be on your way to a more comfortable home. Depending on the programmable thermostat you install, you can select day and night temperatures and even a setting for every day of the week. You'll be more comfortable with your heating and cooling bill, too.
Tools & Materials
Tools
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Installation
Read the instructions with the new unit BEFORE starting the installation. Manufacturer's installation instructions might differ slightly for each model. Because of the variety of manufacturers, your heating and cooling system may not match your thermostat instructions exactly. If you have any doubt about the electrical connections, contact the manufacturer.
Here are the basic steps:
Turn off the power supply to the thermostat.
Remove the old thermostat, including the wall plate. Older thermostats with glass tubes contain mercury. Use caution when handling and check with your local recycling company for disposal instructions.
Label the wires on your system, noting where they were attached on the old thermostat. Ignore the wire color; use only letter designations to identify the wire types. Secure the wires (tie into a loop or tape them to the wall) to keep them from falling back into the wall.
Install the new wall plate, if there is one. You may need to drill new holes for the new model. Use a level to mark where the holes are to be drilled. Use drywall anchors, if necessary.
Match each labeled wire with the same letter on the new thermostat terminal, and connect them accordingly. Connect these wires as directed by the instructions that come with your particular unit. Follow these instructions carefully. Install batteries, if needed.
Mount the unit to the wallplate.
Restore power and program the new thermostat as directed.
A programmable thermostat is a temperature-sensitive device that lets you choose the temperature to be maintained in one or several rooms of your home during different times of the day. A top-of-the-line programmable thermostats is easy to use and can significantly improve heating and cooling comfort in your home by keeping room temperature within 2°F of your desired temperature. They are designed to help save money on your utility bill and reduce energy waste. When used properly, a programmable thermostat can cut your heating and cooling bills up to 33% annually.
Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. Please read our terms of use.