Messages and Online Forum Q&A

Re: Installing a new thermostat

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Electrical/Lighting
Date: 03 Aug 2000
Time: 20:48:56
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43

Comments

I appreciate your aversion to reading directions, but staying out of the emergency room is certainly worth a few moments of precaution!

First, before you service ANY electronic or electrical equipment, always unplug the device or shut off the circuit breaker. This is a common-sense safety precaution. Your HVAC system can be simply unplugged, as well as your central VAC.

In the case of your new thermostat, this is a simple job so long as you keep track of the color coded wires. Even when plugged in, these wires are generally "low voltage" connections, so risk of shock is low. You'll have a few pairs of wires for the blower, the heater, and possibly the air conditioning unit if you have one. The new thermostat should be labeled to correspond to the color coded wires.

On your central VAC system, most of the power switches at the inlets are 24V low-voltage. However, some of the more recent systems also contain 110V to power the motor in your attachments. Therefore, be careful when replacing any electrical components that high voltages are not present.

Removing the existing wall inlet (usually two screws) and reconnect any existing wires to the new inlet cover. Either you'll use a couple of wire nuts or there will be screw terminals on the inlet. Then, simply reseat the inlet and re-attach it to the wall with the new screws.

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