The summers in PA can get hot. If your old thermostat is starting to go bad, now is a great time to upgrade to a new device. Follow these steps for connecting your new thermostat to your air conditioner.
Remove the Old Thermostat
To start, turn the thermostat to the off position. Cut the breaker to the air conditioner. You’ll then lift the housing off the old thermostat. If it has screws, use a screwdriver to remove them. Remove the wall anchors for the old thermostat’s base plate. This allows you to access the wiring. Before proceeding, make sure the power is off.
Determine Your Wiring Setup
If you’re installing a new smart thermostat without a battery, you’ll need to have a C-wire. Also called the common wire, it delivers continuous power. If the thermostat has a battery, you don’t need a C-wire. You should see a C-wire terminal on the faceplate of the old thermostat or a C-wire tucked into the wall opening. If there isn’t one, you’ll need to verify if the new thermostat can be wired without it. Otherwise, you’ll need an electrician to install the C-wire. You may be able to use a C-wire adapter.
Place the Thermostat
Disconnect the wires from the old thermostat. Attach the base plate of the new thermostat to the wall with the drywall anchors. Feed the wires through. Match the wires from the wall to the wires on the thermostat. If you’re using a C-wire adapter, you’ll connect it to the G- and Y-wires. Relabel the G-wire as C and the Y-wire as K. Connect the wires to the terminals. Attach the front plate and restore power.
Whether you need heating or cooling maintenance, repairs or installations in the Drexel Hill area, you can count on us at O’Brien Heating & Air Conditioning To learn more about connecting your new thermostat to the AC, contact us at O’Brien today.
