Changing Thermostat?

[gcherry]

I have a split-unit Payne heat pump with a two mercury bulb thermostat, I want to change to a digital thermostat, is this a hard task to do or should I wait and let the ac guy do it when he comes and cleans the system in a few weeks? Should I buy a particular one, will be getting it at Lowes.

[beenthere]

Let the HVAC guy do it.

You'd be surprised how many times someone changes out their own.
And ends up burning up far more expensive controls, then what they saved.


Keep in mind, that Lowes and Home Depot thermostats are not the same thermostats that HVAC contractors use.

[Kelly T]

If I had a dollar for everytime a customer called me to replace the thermostat after they tried on their own and mucked it up I could retire comfortably
It is best to have a tech do it and he can also program the schedules for you and you will have had it done professionally.

[zw17]

Let the HVAC guy do it.
Keep in mind, that Lowes and Home Depot thermostats are not the same thermostats that HVAC contractors use.

As in 'much cheaper'

[gcherry]

As in 'much cheaper'

So should I let him supply the thermostat or buy it at Lowes on my own?

[beenthere]

Better off buying it from him.

If you supply your own.
And it stops working in the first year. And you call him/them out. You pay for a service call.

Decide what features you want.

And let them know when you call to set up the appointment.

[motoguy128]

is this a hard task to do or should I wait and let the ac guy do it when he comes and cleans the system in a few weeks? Should I buy a particular one, will be getting it at Lowes.

If you can't answer that question yourself... then it's probably not something you should attempt. Without a basic understanding of electrical and controls, you're just matching wire colors and hoping for the best.

[Shophound]

I'll probably get bashed for this,

Sure. Turn the power off, change the stat, turn power on.

Except...that's when the problems can REALLY start for a person inexperienced with HVAC controls.

Can anyone who's been in the field awhile honestly say they have NEVER accidentally miswired a thermostat, even after doing similar ones correctly?

For the OP...Home Depot and Lowe's won't be around to help if you make a mistake with wiring your thermostat. You may want to think about combining a thermostat installation by a pro with a spring maintenance/cleaning of your system. Kill two stones with one bird.

[motoguy128]

Sure. Turn the power off, change the stat, turn power on.

Except...that's when the problems can REALLY start for a person inexperienced with HVAC controls.

Can anyone who's been in the field awhile honestly say they have NEVER accidentally miswired a thermostat, even after doing similar ones correctly?

For the OP...Home Depot and Lowe's won't be around to help if you make a mistake with wiring your thermostat. You may want to think about combining a thermostat installation by a pro with a spring maintenance/cleaning of your system. Kill two stones with one bird.

In the last thermostats I replaced, the wires colors didn't match the terminals....so the written instructions if followed precisely would have caused some issues. I still somehow got the fan and cooling mixed up. Went back to the furnace and realized the colors changed yet again as 2 cables were sliced together. I guess it was too hard for whoever installed the furnace to to match up the same colors.

[beenthere]

No need to bash you gary.

You decided to violate the rules.

So, because of you.

Thread closed.