Steps to Install a Thermostat
A thermostat is an instrument used to control the temperature in a room or building. A thermostat maintains room temperature within a set range by activating electrical heating and cooling devices, such as indoor air conditioners and heat pumps. In facilities where the ambient temperature can be controlled, thermostats are usually bi-metallic strips that contain two thermometers: one to measure ambient temperature and a second to sense the temperature of the thermostat itself.
One thermostat can control one heating and cooling device, but thermostats are often used in group control systems to regulate settings for several devices at once. For example, many thermostats set the desired room temperature at 22 °C (72 °F). If the measured room air temperature is below that setting, the thermostat activates heat-producing devices (heating system). If the temperature rises above the thermostat setting—even if only briefly—the thermostat will turn off those heating devices. In more sophisticated control systems, multiple thermostats are used together to achieve a higher level of regulation.
When using thermostats for HVAC control, the thermostat must satisfy specific criteria:
- The thermostat is located in an area of the building where it can reliably tell what temperature it is (e.g., not in a glass enclosure). This will be satisfied if the thermostat reads ambient temperature at its thermostat location. The thermostat should then be located where the temperature can be read by building occupants, maintenance technicians, and equipment operators;
- The thermostat must withstand physical abuse (by occupants, pets, or pests);
- Where humidity is high, a thermostat must prevent condensation buildup that could cause malfunction;
- A thermostat should not mislead users about the temperature of the area it serves; and
- Thermostats should be reliable for many years, although this may require some human assistance from time to time.
Are you thinking of installing a thermostat in your house? Do you find thermostat installation too complicated? Well, thermostat installation is not as hard as it may seem. Here are some simple steps to follow:
Step 1: Turn off your power supply.
It would be better to hire an expert electrician because thermostat wiring can cause a fire if not done correctly. Most thermostats require a 24VAC transformer. If you’re not sure how to shut off your power supply, make sure to ask an expert electrician to do the job for you.
Step 2: Make a thermostat wiring diagram.
Before plugging in your thermostat, it would be best to know which thermostat wires connect to which thermostat terminal. In most thermostats, the thermostat terminals are color-coded for easier identification. Make sure that you mark your thermostat diagram with “wire colors” and thermostat terminals.
Step 3: Attach thermostat wires to the correct terminal.
Now that you have your thermostat wires, thermostat terminals, and thermostat diagram, it’s now time to connect thermostat wires to thermostat terminals.
Step 4: Attach a 24VAC transformer.
Attach the thermostat wires that are connected to the 24VAC transformer following your thermostat wiring diagram.
Step 5: Attach the thermostat cover.
After you have successfully installed thermostat wires to thermostat terminals and a 24VAC transformer, make sure to close the thermostat cover before plugging in your thermostat wires to a power source. Your thermostats are now ready for use! Just put batteries in the thermostat, and thermostats will come to life.
How long does thermostat installation take? The correct thermostat wiring, thermostat cover, and thermostats diagram are essential for thermostat installation. Safety should be your thermostats wiring and thermostat installation priority! Otherwise, you may accidentally burn your house down if the thermostat’s wiring is done incorrectly.
