Upgrading from a 4 Wire Thermostat to a 5 Wire Thermostat
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- čas přidán 23. 02. 2017
- Bob installs a smart thermostat, which requires a five wire connection. Our older thermostat has only four wires. Bob shows you how to upgrade from a four wire thermostat to a five wire smart thermostat.
He's installing a Honeywell 9000 Wi-Fi Thermostat, which we purchased. Please read user guides and owners manuals before installing or using any product.
justaz.com productions and At Home Repairs are solely responsible for the content of this video. - Jak na to + styl
Wow.. I've watched 5 videos and yours was the only one with the tip about checking for unused wires tucked into the wall. This saved me not only money but from the hassle of having someone come over. Thanks!
Hey Dave,
My Wife said: "The expensive service call is well worth it! You're retired, it's late, just call a service tech and have them do the project for us."
I calmly replied: "You are right. But since you think that it's reasonable to spend the cash that would cost, I will just do it myself and throw that $250.00 or so into my "Mad Money/Project Fund".
My humble opinions and offered thoughts:
We are here in North Texas, where the HVAC comes in handy on occasion. Our weather is not as extreme as some other areas, but a properly functioning HVAC system and easily operated thermostat does REALLY help reduce that grinding, rattling clatter that blasts some guys from across the dining table day and night.
As a retired Electronics Engineer, I want to thank you for this reference guide video. It serves the intended lookup much better than others I checked. I encourage you to assess what makes your approach different and stick with it.
As for content, this video did not apply to my scenario. but provided me related context data that allowed me to determine the best solution for me to do a custom conversion. That's what I admire about the video... enough clear data allows handy, trained, or Pros to be reminded of context and even catch reminders about lazy/crazy installers tucking useful wires into hidden areas.
An insight to share...
One of the first things I was told about building prototypes in a design lab: "Don't use color coding for wiring." Naturally, I thought that sounds crazy, so you know that I asked "Why NOT?!"
The answer surprised me, but knowing it has saved me a ton of time, aggravation and money.
Some people discovered that the best way to make wiring as secret as most encrypted software, is to simply use a completely baffling color system. The toughest ones only change color for instance, at voltage differences, power v/s control usage or some other purpose that is known ONLY to the Designers, Makers, Engineers and Field Techs. WHY? It's obvious, when you think on it... It makes even a handy Engineer stop and usually, they call for Authorized, expensive service techs. It's true that it can help stop self-inflicted injuries, system damage, etc., but mostly it's used to prevent DIY wrenching.
So before working on equipment that I don't already know, I almost always gather diagrams, codes, colors, ratings and other pertinent info. Sometimes I look it over and see that I can fihure all of it out just from training. experience and logic, but don't be too proud to look things up. Especially because you often find a CZcams video of someone who can save you time, money and maybe a couple of fingers or toes... Then:
(1.) Check with a Voltmeter to make sure power is not miswired or crosswired by damage, to the metal control boxes, motor housings and other stuff you intend to touch. etc., creating a shock hazard. Remember, often times, if it wasn't messed up, you wouldn't be in the attic at lunch in July, or whatevet. You don't want to find your first case of deadly shorted wiring with your bare hands... it may be your last.
(2.) Turn off the related breakers, TAG or list the breakers you need off and attach tags or noted list to the opened breaker box. Then go back to the work area and VERIFY with that voltmeter that power actually is cut off by the breakers you just switched.
(3.) Starting at the functional equipment or main control board involved, TAKE A STARTING PHOTO. Check what your connection or wiring block labels are and map out the "Legend" of the wire colors actually used. Write down any other information you can see that matters. Seevif it matches the info you found, or if you need to search again!
4. As you look for damages, burned wires and fuses, also look for extra wires in the Harness, Bundle or Tangle Wad you are dealing with. Sure, there can be wiring patches, junctions between here and a thermostat or other remotely located panel, but usually you'll spot that when you get to that panel and see that the wires don't match when you're mapping out that end... see, I solve many mysteries just by early mapping. People often make mistakes with these things when originally installing, or whiletrying to fix it before they call me... and THEN call me as a Pro, friend or Brother In Law. BTW, they seldom confess or advise on any of it!
(5.) Since you have gathered diagrams, known color codes, legends that decode related markings and abbreviations etc., you are now prepared to troubleshoot, modify, customize an integration or invent the next module. Safely, quickly, profitably.
NOBODY PROFITS MORE personally, than a DIY person who gets it done right and successfully, WITHOUT paying an expensive tech that isn't required, since they are Do It RIGHT Yourself people.
Enjoy learning and making things better!
Dean
Watched 30 other videos..including Honeywell's. Yours is the only one that was simple and accurate.
Yeah, Tim, NO FREAKING KIDDING. This guy is genius level. The Einstein of A/C instruction. Big kudos to JustAz.
Yes! This video is the only one that informs you about the h vac!!
I watched honeywell's ... they tell you to turn the power back on at the end but never tell you to turn the power off in the beginning lol.
I agree. My furnace guy said I had no C wire but hey presto there it was just waiting to be hooked up. Now I have 24v power to my thermostat.
Still relevant and valuable. Thanks so much!
I think I echo others in saying that I have watched at least a half a dozen videos and was still confused until I watched your video. Thanks so much for taking the time to fully explain the steps and giving an understanding of what everything is and why. Many Thanks!!
Thanks for G to Y tip and explaining why it's OK to do that. Solves a lot of issues.
As mentioned 100 times, you are a life saver....hard to imagine this was 5 years ago...you are a very good teacher! Thank You!
You are my hero!!! I’ve been so frustrated and returned the smart thermostat I had purchased. Just could not find a walk through or what I was missing. Your walk through is clear, concise, & educational! Thank you!!!
Dear friend, your genius is not just your knowledge, it's your uncanny ability to teach concepts in such a simple way. Thank you!
Wish all CZcams videos were like this one. Clear, Concise, Short and answered the most common C wire/No C wire questions the novice might have. Well Done! Thanks
I watched several videos and yours was the only one that explained to check that the C wire was connected at the furnace. My wire bundle only had 4 wires and I was getting super frustrated. Then I watched you explain it all. I simply had to run a single wire from the C terminal at the furnace to the thermostat, and it worked!! Thank you so much!!
This video was spot on and to the point. After an extensive internet search and watching several other videos, yours is the only one that explained the problem and provided a solution. THANK YOU! You earned a new subscriber!
Of all the videos about upgrading to smart thermostat, this is the most useful
This video saved my life, I was so lost trying to figure out what to do since the blue wire in our unit was cut several times. Your green to yellow wire trick worked perfectly.
Ditto with prev comment.
In my opinion, Dave, you are a gifted natural teacher!
As I watched, I would think, but "what if", and VOILA, you would provide an answer in your next sentence. Well done! Thanks.
This video is head and shoulders above most videos. Bob is a really great teacher.
This is one of the most informative youtube videos I have ever watched. I have a nest thermostat and it has been struggling with power stealing issues all summer due to a lack of a common wire. Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to use white board for explanation. This is the only video I found with clear and simple instruction.
Thank you for this, especially the whiteboard diagram... I had a four wire to my thermostat, purchased a five wire and taped it to the existing, fished it down and attached the wires as you showed to the furnace. Now my nest thermostat no longer trips the AC breaker with the common wire hooked up!
This is one of the best videos I have ever watched to learn how to do something. Very clear, simple and understandable. I NEVER have commented on a video before but this one is GREAT! Bob you should be a teacher or an instructor. Probably spent a good amount of time making a script and editing but it turned out great. Thank you. Brian K
Simple, straightforward explanation. Thanks! Saved me $280 for installing 2 thermostats.
You rock. I had this exact circumstance, you were a life saver for a not so handy homeowner. Worked perfectly. Thanks
Thanks for the video, this porcess was far simpler than I had expected and you definitely saved me from calling an HVAC tech unnecessarily
Extremely well explained. I cannot vouch for the accuracy but you seem confident enough that I don't feel any doubt about it.
THANK YOU
this has to be the BEST explanation of how to do this conversion!!!!!!!
Very clear and very succinct.
Again THANK YOU
THANK YOU for explaining this. No one could explain the 5 wire and how easy it was to check/correct. I had no clue what the colors were or did and your video was great! This is what CZcams is about!
Thank you for this informative video. It is simple and straightforward. I have all the components needed to install the thermostat, but I was too afraid to screw things up. After watching this video, I feel like I'm ready to do this. Thanks!!!
Thanks for the video. Planning on installing a new smart, wifi thermostat and I may not have an additional wire for the common. Your information about using a jumper at the unit may be just what I need.
Love the visuals, makes it easier to understand. Very simple instructions and JUST what I needed. I wasn't going to make this purchase until I saw your video. MANY THANKS!
Had a 4 wire thermostat that worked fine but wanted to relocate a new smart thermostat to a more logical location. The original stat was right in the middle of a main wall in the living room and I wanted to use that wall for a TV or some artwork. Relocated a new stat in the hall about 7 feet away from the original.
Had to get in the crawlspace to run a new 5 wire cable. Came up thru the floor in a hall closet and routed the cable behind the closet door frame trim.
Long story short. Took me several days of planning and an entire day to run the wire.
Your vid will help me wire the new unit correctly.
Thanks.
I did your no green wire trick and got it up and running tonight. Thanks for the backdoor/cheap idea
I really appreciate all the effort you made into putting this video. Upgrading from a 4 wire honeywell thermostat to an Amazon 5 wire smart thermostat. Very helpful!
Outstanding explanation - thank you so much!
You the man Bob. Been looking for an answer for the four wire issue for my new thermostat and only had 4 wires. thank you Bob
Thanks to your simple, clear, and straightforward discription of the extra unused wires and if applicable, you can use one for the C-wire. Thanks for your video! I ended up installing an EcoBee4 and it now works perfectly!
If you had looked at the bottom of your ecobee box (it's in all of them AFAIK) when you installed it, you woulda seen their "Power Extender Kit" which effectively substitutes the G-wire for the C-wire *without* losing fan control as in this video's solution. Similar devices exist for other thermostats.
Thank you! Had no extra wires stuck in the wall, but your instructions walked me through!!
The best. Many others show doing things, but don't explain the whys and hows.
How could anyone thumbs down this video?!?!?!? Explained very well, and in a pinch or like Bob said got to go an incredible distance and don't want to do drywall work too (also,some of us don't have an outlet within 20 feet of our thermostat for power plug). Excellent video!
Fantastic Video. I had 5 wires but only four were being used on my old Thermostat. The c wire was not connected on the furnace side. Connected it and the Honeywell thermostat is working amazing. Thank you so much.
Excellent video and presentation, concise and accurate. Thank you for taking the time to make a quality product.
Most simple and efficient explanation i have ever seen on this topic. Thank you!!!
The most descriptive up to the point, now i can confidently buy Honeywell T5. Thanks buddy.
I want to express my congratulations on a job well done and your explanation was very clear and proper dialogue.
This was they most informative video on converting 4 wire to 5 wire. Thank you sir
Just want to say thanks! Bought a Nest and their compatibility checker showed compatibility with a Honeywell 4 wire but when I wired it up it gave me an e73 error (no power). Your video gave me confidence to bypass the nonsensical Honeywell wiring box (wires labeled as 1, 2, 3, 4... thanks Honeywell) and wire directly to the AC unit + the Common Blue Wire... it now works like a champ. It gives me great joy not having to call and HVAC Tech out. Happy Holidays!
Well done!! The blooper at the end made it worth the watch. Thank you
Best video ever especially if you are instalking Amazon thermostat which has 0 instructions
As an hvac student I appreciate this info, well explained!
Great Video.. thanks !
I personally love the fine detail describing each wire, what they should do, and where to find each end :-)
This was incredibly helpful, thank you very much!
This guy is awesome! Very good explanation. All we need to understand how AC works .
Excellent video, very thorough and easy to follow. I learned a lot in less than 10 minutes. Thanks
Very nicely done, even though my project will be a little more taxing as I only have R and W and need C. this instruction was very encouraging and well organized, thanks for you time and for share this knowledge sir!
Thank you! Best demonstration and explanation I’ve come across.
Very well done video. It is on my "Saved" list for future reference. Thanks.
Great video sir... this is by far the best vidro explaining the 4 wires to 5 wires issue.. thanks for sharing
EXCELLENT VIDEO! VERY WELL EXPLAINED! SAVED ME LOTS OF HEADACHE. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Hey, just wanted to say, Huge Thanks for this video. Being able to install a 5 wire wifi system with only 4 wires, at the cost of not using the fan feature which I have never used. Is completely worth it. Just finished my install and system and wifi are working great. Thanks again.
Crystal clear instruction.. Triple thumbs up!
Thanks Bob! Would never have thought of extra wires tucked in the wall but there sure was! Thanks again, great video
I. Have honey well 8000. I connect the red wire to the r and rc but no. Power
The visual was very helpful. Thank you for sharing this video.
Wow! thank you so much for the straightforward and easy to understand video on how to solve the issue of no c-wire for the uber-novice!
Dude, saved me hundreds of $$$. Much respect.
Probably the best video on the subject. Thank you.
This is a great video. Thank you for explaining what all the wires mean. I feel this should be very easy to accomplish.
You are the man - love the option of relocating the G wire if necessary, didn't see that anywhere else. I'm going to do it!
Easy to understand video. Very informative. Nice work!
This is gonna save me hours of work pulling new wire
Outstanding explanation I never seen anyone break it down the way u did .. your the bestest !!!
Great video! Exactly what we needed. The Honeywell site was useless. Thank you!
Extremely useless!
Fantastic video. Love the hack to make a 4-wire system run a 5-wire system. Thank you.
You made it easy and simple to install! Great Video!!
This video tells u to check your HVac!! This is soooo helpful!! No other video told me to check that.
Thanks A lot.
Thanks for the video! This makes things so much easier for me!!
Hands down best video explaing everything very clearly!
Beautifull job and explanation. You did simple and great. I love your way. Thanks for your time and your help.
Best instructional for five wire systems. 👌
Best video exlaining the c wire for wifi thermostats
Incredible video. Thank you. Saved me a $150 service call
You sir have explained it very clearly. Made my life easy.. Thank you
Thank you. Very easy to understand the way you explain it.
Holy crap man. You're really good at explaining stuff! Lol. I'm not even changing my thermostat, just randomly stumbled upon your video. Watched the whole thing 😆🤙
I'm buying this unit today and following his steps pretty plain and simple instructions.
Awesome video explained it all in a easy way that demonstrates it all. keep up the great work thank you.
Thank you, this helped so much! I did have a common wire but it was spliced and changed colors mid-way from yet another splice. But it worked great!
The best video for this!! Very well explained. Thank you
This video is awesome, thank you for posting!
This video is awesome! Its exactly what I needed to install my Nest 3rd Gen
Fantastic explanation - best I've seen!! very understandable! Thank you!
Perfect Video. Explained everything perfect. My exact thermostat set up. Thanks so much.
job well done!!! Technically the compressor doesn't use the 24 volt "C" but the 24 volt coil on the contactor which controls the line power used to start/stop the compressor does, and same for the blower motor, the 24v is feeding a "fan relay" which in turn controls the line voltage to blower.
thanks buddy, this is exactly what I've been looking for!
You are good. You made complicated thing so easy to do. You are awesome. Thank You.
The best explanation ever, thanks.
Thank you for teaching me through this.
Wow, thank you Sir. Very informative and easy to understand video
That was perfect. The whiteboard helped allot. I completely understand this now.
Thank you for your generous help! God bless!
Thank you, you saved me a service call. Great video!
Thank you for pointing out that maybe I just need to look at the other end of the 24v. Was able to connect the blue wire the way I should and now I don't have to use the 24v external plugin. So very helpful thank you very much
Great video. Don’t forget to cover the big hole in the wall to avoid wrong thermostat reading due to draft.
Thanks for great explanation Saved alot of time and money