Installing a programmable thermostat

I’ve now had two electricians balk on replacing my basic thermostat with one that’s programmable citing the complexity of the job. Apparently, it involves reworking the boiler connections and running an extra wire or something. Whatever. I would just like the job done by someone who has done this before and won’t be surprised when he comes by and actually takes a look. Any recommendations? Feel free to solicit yourself along with what you’ll charge–I’ll buy the thermostat itself.

DouglasAlan

in Electricians 10 years and 8 months ago

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daveinbedstuy | 10 years and 8 months ago

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More importantly, don’t forget to replace the batteries every winter, especially if you go away for an extended period and it is forecast to be very cold. My heating guys say the leading complaint when furnace goes out turns out to be dead batteries in the programmable thermostat

BobMarvin | 10 years and 8 months ago

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It seems to me that the OP was asking about replacing an existing thermostat, so placement and installation of additional sensors isn’t an issue. That leaves a simple DIY job.

ellenlourie | 10 years and 8 months ago

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Thermostats must be installed by heating Contractor. Electricians don’t know how to pick proper thermostat location. Because there are wires does not mean you need electrician. Also, take a look at honeywell red link thermostat. It allows multiple wireless sensors in the rooms and thermostat can be located next to the boiler. No need to run wires. Also you can get honeywell red link gateway and connect thermostat to your wifi and to your phone and control heat from any smart phone. I have customer who controls heat in NY rentals from London.

no-permits | 10 years and 8 months ago

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the issue is that these new thermostats (nest, wifi, programmable) really take time and knowledge to install properly and no one wants to take responsibility for it. with so many on the market they are all so different from one another. many of them are very easy to burn out too – so no one wants to be on the hook for a $200 thermostat when they are being paid less than that to do the install. my advice is find an electrician/boiler guy and let them install what they are used to. i prefer the robertshaw programmable units. the honeywell vision pros are garbage.

brooklynnative78 | 10 years and 8 months ago

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i bought and replaced my own and it was very easy. Replaced the cable with a new one that had a dedicated wire for power to the thermostat. And there are ways around doing that with jumpering the existing wires. The thermostat came with an easy to follow video. Its pretty basic so any electrician who has a problem doing that i would be wary of http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-Wi-Fi-7-Day-Programmable-Thermostat/dp/B00A97FIG0

Arkady | 10 years and 8 months ago

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I did my own from an antique doughnut & it had all the wires needed. Wiring color codes have changed if yours is old too but you can find equivalents on the web.