Not all thermostats work with all HVAC systems. There are different types of
If the systems do not match each other's needs, your AC may experience excessive wear and tear. This can cause a need for repairs or possible early replacement. It's crucial that a thermostat and air conditioner work well alongside one another to maintain the life of your AC system.
Know Your Equipment & Your Wiring
Not all thermostats are compatible with existing HVAC systems, especially smart thermostats! Some thermostats work only with furnaces and air conditioners, for example. Others may be designed to monitor heat pumps or multiple-stage heating and cooling systems.
If you have a low-voltage HVAC system, you can use almost any type of thermostat. If you're using a high-voltage system, you should read the manufacturer's recommendations or call the manufacturer to determine the right one for your system.
Before installing a new thermostat, you must check your home's compatibility. Houses are wired in two ways, line voltage, and low voltage, and you'll want to buy a thermostat that will operate with your particular heating and cooling system. Therefore, choosing the right digital thermostats is important.
Yes, many smart thermostats are designed for DIY installation, and manufacturers typically provide step-by-step guides and videos. However, if your HVAC system is older or lacks proper wiring (like a C-wire), the installation might become more complex, and you may need professional help.
Common Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner is Not Turning On
Resetting your thermostat is often all that's necessary to get it working again. A tripped circuit breaker is another common reason why your AC won't turn on.
Multi stage HVAC systems involve multiple heating or cooling sources, such as a furnace combined with solar panels or multiple air conditioning units. These systems require multi stage thermostats to handle the different energy sources.
Replacing your thermostat when you install a new AC system is a great idea. The connection between the thermostat and AC is important to the function of the system. Problems with the thermostat can cause the AC to run more often than it should or not as often as it should.
Potential consequences of improper installation could include: Electric shock. Blowing a circuit breaker. Damaging the thermostat unit, the electrical system or even the AC/furnace unit itself.
To further help, many Honeywell Home T-Series thermostats are mounted on a Universal Wall Plate that allows you to change models by simply 'popping' one in place of the other.
Before choosing a thermostat, you'll need to make sure it's compatible with your heating and cooling system. The most common system types are central heat and air or just central heat systems. These systems can be installed with 24-volt (V), gas, oil or electric.
During setup, the Google Home or Nest app will guide you through steps to tell you if your system is compatible with your Nest thermostat before you install it. The app will also give you a custom wiring guide for your thermostat.
Check the power source and make sure it is connected and turned on. Verify that the circuit breaker for the AC unit is not tripped. Make sure the thermostat is set to 'COOL' mode. Check the fan setting on the thermostat and ensure it is set to 'AUTO' rather than 'ON'.
In most cases, installing a new thermostat is a relatively simple do-it-yourself project that can result in improved comfort and convenience and one that can help you save energy.
The cost of thermostat installation can vary depending on several factors, including the type of thermostat, the complexity of the installation, and your location. On average, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 for professional installation by an electrician.
If your wires are connected but your thermostat still isn't working properly, that means it's time to hire a professional. They'll open the thermostat and test the wires individually to see which one is faulty. Since messing with wires is dangerous, you'll want to contact a certified HVAC technician.
Replacing a Thermostat. You'll pay between $15 and $300 for the unit in addition to labor ($65 to $100 per hour) to replace an old thermostat with a new one.
Our pick, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, kept the temperature more consistently pleasant year-round than any other model we tested. It comes with a remote SmartSensor, which balances temps in your home, and it has a built-in smart speaker for use with Alexa or Siri.
Your thermostat instruction manual can tell you exactly how to change a thermostat. Installing the thermostat yourself is an easy task that will typically take about an hour from start to finish.