Installing a New Thermostat for Dummies

Thermostat wiring for hookup

As we have noticed on many occasions here at the Antisocial Network, one of the most obvious tip-offs that a freelancer is bullshitting is that he or she pulls a bait-and-switch. We try to identify those posts that contain serious errors, but sometimes the post is just plain "off." It's not unusual to find posts written by clueless freelancers that have one title while their content addresses a different topic, which is bad enough, or in which the author's just trying to sell you something. Today's awardee is an example of the former: eHowian and "creative writing" graduate Chasity Goddard left her favorite topic, gutters, behind for once while attempting to tell her readers "How to Hook Up a Thermostat"¹ at HomeSteady.com. Unfortunately, Chasity got a bit confused and her Content Editor was no help...

For her DMS-mandated introduction, Chasity expounds on why one might need to hook up a thermostat:

"Replacing an old thermostat has many benefits..."

We'll buy that, and (unlike Chasity) we're smart enough to know that as a general rule, the thermostat in new construction would be installed by the HVAC subcontractor. In other words, this time the blind pig did happen on an acorn; but that's where Goddard's good luck ends. You see, the original question as asked by an anonymous internet searcher is about how to hook up a thermostat. Chasity proceeds to explain how to install a thermostat, but in doing so merely glosses over the hookup bit. Chasity's instructions?

Disconnect the power to the thermostat (we think she meant "power to the HVAC system," don't you?) Remove the old thermostat face plate and disconnect the wires. Remove the base plate Install the new base plate Wire it up (more on that in a minute) Put in batteries and install the face plate.  Easy-peezy, according to Goddard. The problem is in the bit about wiring the thermostat, which is clearly what the OQ meant by "hook up" -- are we right? Sure we are! Chasity says to

"Attach the wires to the connectors, or terminals, on the new thermostat. If the thermostat is connected to both the heating and cooling system, you will have four wires. If the thermostat controls only heat, you will connect two wires. Follow the manufacturer's directions to properly connect the wires. You may need to match colored wires to the same color terminal, or you may need to follow guides to connect colors to letter-designated terminals."

Helpful, that "connect colors to letter-designated terminals" -- WTF does that even mean? Not to mention that the picture above has seven incoming wires, not four. No, Chasity just says, "follow the instructions" -- that's all she did, after all, copy-reword-paste Bob Vila's instructions for installing a thermostat! Let us be perfectly clear: when it comes time to remodel the Antisocial Network's HQ building, we would much rather have Bob Vila than Chasity Goddard wiring up the thermostat, and here's why: Bob says that when you disconnect the old thermostat, you should "Take a moment to label the wires that are part of the existing installation. Attach a small piece of masking tape to each wire, and on that tape, write the letter that is indicated where that particular wire attaches to the old thermostat. "

...while Chasity merely says to

"Disconnect the wires from the thermostat by turning the screws on the connectors. Do not allow the wires to fall back into the wall. "

There are members of the Antisocial Network staff who have actually replaced their thermostats a time or two, and Bob's advice about labeling  the wiring can be crucial to hooking up a thermostat. Chasity, on the other hand, may have never even seen the inside of a thermostat: so who you gonna trust? We know who we're gonna trust, and it ain't our Dumbass of the Day.

¹ The original has been deleted by Leaf Group, but can still be accessed using the Wayback machine at archive.org. Its URL was   ehow.com/how_7604339_hook-up-thermostat.html

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