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HEATING SYSTEMS

AFUE DEFINITION, RATINGS
AGE of AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS
HEATING SYSTEMS

APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings
BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION FLAMES
BLUERAY Recall

BOILERS, HEATING
  BOILER OPERATION DETAILS
  BACKDRAFTING HEATING EQUIPMENT
  BACKFLOW PREVENTER VALVE, HEATING SYS
  BANGING HEATING PIPES RADIATORS
  BOILER COMPONENTS & PARTS
  BOILER CONTROLS & SWITCHES
  BOILER LEAKS CORROSION STAINS
  BOILER LEAKS, HOW TO LOCATE
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CARBON MONOXIDE - CO
CARBON MONOXIDE WARNING
CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR
CHIMNEYS & Flues - Asbestos Transite Pipe
COMBUSTION AIR DEFECTS
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS & IAQ
COMPLETE COMBUSTION, Stoichiometric
CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES
CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES DAMAGE
CONVECTOR HEATERS - HYDRONIC COILS
CREOSOTE FIRE HAZARDS

DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms
DIAGNOSE & FIX AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP
DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-BOILER
DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-FURNACE
DIRECT VENTS / SIDE WALL VENTS
DIRECTORY of OIL TANK EXPERTS

DRAFT HOODS - gas fired
DRAFT MEASUREMENT, CHIMNEYS & FLUES
DRAFT REGULATORS, DAMPERS, BOOSTERS
DUCT INSULATION, Asbestos Paper

DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS
DUCT INSULATION - Asbestos Paper
DUCTS - Asbestos Transite Pipe
DUST CONTAMINATION FROM HVAC?

ELECTRIC HEAT, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR
ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE
ELECTRIC MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
ELECTRICAL POWER SWITCH FOR HEAT
EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEMS

FAN, AIR HANDLER BLOWER UNIT
FAN AUTO ON Thermostat Switch
FAN, COMPRESSOR/CONDENSER UNIT
FAN CONVECTOR HEATERS - HYDRONIC COILS
FAN LIMIT SWITCH
FAN NOISES

FILTERS, AIR for HVAC SYSTEMS
FILTERS, OIL on HEATING EQUIPMENT

FIRE SAFETY CONTROLS
FIREPLACES & HEARTHS
FLAME COLOR, BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION
FLOODED HEATING EQUIPMENT REPAIR
FLOODED WATER HEATER REPAIR
FLUE VENT CONNECTORS
FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING
FUEL OIL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS
FUEL UNIT, HEATING OIL PUMPS

FURNACES, HEATING
  DUCT SYSTEM DEFECTS
  ALLOY SYSTEMS FLEXDUCT
  DUCT & AIR HANDLER ODORS
  DUCT INSULATION, Asbestos Paper
  FURNACE CONTROLS & SWITCHES
  FURNACE OPERATION DETAILS
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  HEAT EXCHANGER LEAKS
GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION
GAS BURNER Flame & Noise Defects
GAS FIRED WATER HEATERS

GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS
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HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table
HEATING COST SAVINGS
HEATING LOSS DIAGNOSIS-BOILERS
HEATING LOSS DIAGNOSIS-FURNACES
HEATING OIL CLOUD WAX GEL POINT
HEATING OIL EXPOSURE HAZARDS, LIMITS
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HEATING OIL PIPING TROUBLES
HEATING OIL SHELF LIFE
HEATING OIL SLUDGE
HEATING OIL USAGE RATE
HEATING SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR
HOT WATER HEATERS
HOT WATER IMPROVEMENT

INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT

LP & Natural Gas Safety Hazards

MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC
NO HEAT - BOILER
NO HEAT - FURNACE
NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE
NOISE AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP
NOISE, DUCT VIBRATION DAMPENERS
NOISE, HEATING SYSTEMS
NOISE, PLUMBING
NOISE, WATER HEATER

ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE
ODORS FROM HEATING SYSTEMS
OIL BURNERS
OIL BURNER FUEL UNIT
OIL BURNER INSPECTION & REPAIR
OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS
OIL BURNER NOZZLE & ELECTRODES
OIL BURNERS, RETENTION HEAD
OIL BURNER SOOT & PUFFBACKS
OIL FILTERS on HEATING EQUIPMENT
OIL FILTER MISSING
OIL FUEL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS
OIL & GAS PIPING

OIL LINE CLOGGING FIX
OIL LINE QUICK STOP VALVES
OIL LINE SAFETY VALVES
OIL ODORS, LEAKY OIL TANK PIPING
OIL PUMP FUEL UNIT
OIL SPILL CLEANUP / PREVENTION

OIL TANKS
OIL TANK SAFETY
OIL TANK SLUDGE
OIL TANK TESTING
OIL TANKS, BURIED
OIL TANK WATER REMOVAL

PLASTIC HEATER VENT
PULSE COMBUSTION HEATERS
PASCAL CALCULATIONS

RADIANT BARRIERS
RADIANT HEAT
RADIANT HEAT Floor Mistakes to Avoid
RADIANT HEAT TEMPERATURES
RADIANT SLAB FLOORING CHOICES
RADIANT SLAB TUBING & FLUID CHOICES
RADIATORS
RELIEF VALVES - TP Valves on Boilers
RELIEF VALVES - STEAM TP VALVES
RELIEF VALVES - Water Heaters
RELIEF VALVES - TP Valves on Boilers
RELIEF VALVES - STEAM TP VALVES
RELIEF VALVES - Water Heaters
RELIEF VALVES - Water Tanks
Reset Switch - Heater Primary Control
Reset Switch Broken - Quick Repair
Reset Switch - Electric Motors
Reset Switch - Stack Relays

SAFETY HAZARDS & INSPECTIONS
SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE
SAFETY, HEATING INSPECTION
SAFETY,HOME HEATING TIPS
Safety Recalls, Chimneys, Vents, Heaters
SAFETY, HEATING INSPECTION
SAFETY,HOME HEATING TIPS

STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS
  AQUASTAT CONTROL Functions
  BACKDRAFTING HEATING EQUIPMENT
  BACKFLOW PREVENTER VALVE, HEATING SYS
  BANGING HEATING PIPES RADIATORS
  CAD CELL RELAY SWITCH
  CHECK VALVES, HEATING SYSTEM
  Chemical treatments, Boiler
  Circulator Pumps & Relays
  COMBUSTION GASES & PARTICLE HAZARDS
  CONDENSATE RETURN PIPES, PUMPS, STEAM
  DIAGNOSE & FIX BOILER
  DRAFT HOODS - gas fired
  DRAFT MEASUREMENT, CHIMNEYS & FLUES
  DRAFT REGULATORS, DAMPERS, BOOSTERS
  ELECTRIC MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
  ELECTRICAL POWER SWITCH FOR HEAT
  Expansion Tanks
  FIRE SAFETY CONTROLS
  Gauges on Heating Equipment
  Limit Switches, Boilers
  Low Water Cutoff Valves, Boilers
  MIXING / ANTI-SCALD VALVES
  Pressure & Temperature Settings, Controls
  Pressure Switch, Steam Boiler
  RELIEF VALVES - TP VALVES
  Sight Glass, Steam Boiler
  Spill Switches
  Stack Relay Switch
  Steam Pressure Gauge
  STEAM TRAPS
  Steam Vents
  THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING
  WATER FEEDER Valves, Steam

TANKLESS COILS
THERMAL TRACKING Indicates Heat Loss

THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING
  Types of Building & Room Thermostats
  How Thermostats Work
  Detailed Guide to Room Thermostats
  How to Set the Thermostat
  COOL OFF HEAT, Thermostat Switch
  FAN ON AUTO Thermostat Switch
  HEAT ANTICIPATOR Adjustment
  HEAT ANTICIPATOR Mini Ammeter to Check
  HEAT PUMP Thermostats - Outdoors
  INSTALL & WIRE Thermostats
    Two-Wire Wall Thermostat Wiring
    Three-Wire Wall Thermostat Wiring
    Six-Wire Wall Thermostat Wiring
    Line Voltage 120V Thermostat Wiring
    Shorting Out Thermostat Wires
    Table of Thermostat Wiring Connections
  TEMPERATURE RESPONSE of Room Thermostats
  SWITCH FUNCTIONS on a Room Thermostat
THERMOSTATS, WATER HEATER
  AQUASTAT CONTROL Functions
  Electric Water Heater Thermostats
THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES
Transite Pipe Chimneys & Flues

More Information

Honeywell thermostat backing plate showing wiring connections Guide to Installing & Wiring Heating, Heat Pump, or Air Conditioning Thermostats
InspectAPedia®  -      

  • Guide to Thermostats for Heating and Air Conditioning Systems
  • How Do I Install & Wire Up a Room Thermostat like the Honeywell Round Wall Thermostat?
  • Questions & answers about heating, air conditioning, and heat pump thermostat installation and wiring

This article explains the basics of wiring connections at the thermostat for heating, heat pump, or air conditioning systems.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.

This article is part of THERMOSTATS our article series Guide to Finding, Using, and Adjusting Thermostats for Heating & Air Conditioning Furnaces & Boilers, Heat Pumps or Electric Furnaces or Boilers. This website answers most questions about central heating system troubleshooting, inspection, diagnosis, and repairs. We describe how to inspect residential heating systems to inform home owners, buyers, and home inspectors of common heating system defects.

The articles at this website describe the basic components of a home heating system, how to find the rated heating capacity of an heating system by examining various data tags and components, how to recognize common heating system operating or safety defects, and how to save money on home heating costs. We include product safety recall and other heating system hazards.

Because some controls are used in common on hot water heat, hot air heat, and steam boilers, readers should see these other articles: see BOILER CONTROLS & SWITCHES, and also see BOILER COMPONENTS & PARTS for a detailed list of heating boiler controls, other heating system components, parts such as circulator pumps & draft regulators. If your building uses warm air heat, see FURNACE CONTROLS & SWITCHES. If your building uses steam heat see STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS. Also see Heat Won't Turn Off - Stop Unwanted Heat.

Readers needing to find and fix un-wanted air leaks, heat losses, or other energy wasters should see HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS. Readers should see ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY and also see HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS and INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT for energy saving retrofit detailed guides. Also see GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS for more details on how to inspect and test LP and natural gas piping, controls, valves, and tanks. Contact us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

2-Wire Thermostats: How Do I Install & Wire Up a Room Thermostat like the Honeywell Round Wall T87F Series Thermostat?

Honeywell thermostat backing plate showing wiring connectionsOur photo shows the backing plate that is mounted first when installing a round Honeywell type room thermostat. Notice that the plate shows a "level" line. We left off the actual wires so that you could see the "R" and "W" by the two screw terminals at the lower left 7 and 8 o'clock positions on the thermostat backing plate.

It's important to mount mercury-bulb thermostats as level as possible since otherwise you're putting the thermostat out of accurate temperature calibration.

That's because the coiled bimetallic spring has to move that mercury bulb to a tipped position to turn the heating or air conditioning system on or off in response to room temperature.

When we found a thermostat that did not heat a room accurately to the called-for temperature, we'd take a look to see if it was installed out of level before looking further.

Because the "set" range on these thermostats may have had a lower-end of 55 deg .F., when we wanted the thermostat to maintain a building at a temperature lower than the minimum that the thermostat dial provided, we just tilted the whole thermostat backing plate on the wall in the proper direction to shift the operating range of the switch.

Newer thermostats that rely on other sensor and switch designs may not have this sensitivity to being out of level.

Where Do We Connect the Red, White, & Blue (if present) Wires to a Typical Two Wire Wall Thermostat?

Watch out: do not short any wires together. Turn off power & confirm it is off. Don't forget to turn off all electrical power involved with your heating system before working on thermostat wiring, and confirm that power is off where you are working by using an appropriate test instrument such as a VOM. Failure to respect this advice risks equipment damage, and in some cases electrical shock or even a building fire.

Instructions for thermosgtat wiringWiring connections for a room thermostat such as the Honeywell 24-volt T87F, the Honeywell series 10 (out of production), or Penn "Rimset" low-voltage wall thermostat models are pretty simple as are the wiring instructions for White Rogers, Mercoid, General Controls, and similar thermostats.

So what are the proper wiring connections for a room thermostat?

This little photo is included so that you can see that on many thermostats the wiring instructions are embossed right on the thermostat body. Look for them on your thermostat as well as reading them in the instructions that came with the thermostat. (You kept those, right?)

Two wire thermostat wiring instructions: In a two-wire installation, the thermostat backing plate is mounted level on an interior wall in the room which we want to be the master temperature control for the area served by the heating or cooling system.

The red wire from the heater or air conditioner control is mounted to the "R" terminal on the backing plate.

The white wire from the heater or air conditioner control is mounted to the "W" terminal on the thermostat mounting plate.

3-Wire Thermostats: Where Do We Connect the Red, White, & Blue (if present) Wires to a Typical Three-Wire Wall Thermostat?

Three-wire thermostat wiring instructions, also called "series 20 installations" we have three wires rather than two to connect.

The Red wire coming to the thermostat from the heater or air conditioner is connected to "R".

The white wire is connected to the "Y" terminal, and

The blue wire is connected to the "W" terminal on the backing plate.

Then the thermostat body is screwed in place. The screws that secure a round Honeywell traditional wall thermostat to its backing plate will also connect it properly to the wiring.

A plug connector may be used: On other thermostats it may be necessary to plug in a connector between the thermostat and its mounting plate.

6-Wire Thermostats: Where Do We Connect the Red, White, & Blue, Yellow, Green, Orange Wires in a Typical Six-Wire Wall Thermostat?

Color Codes and Hookups for Thermostat Wires, typical for heat pump installations and thermostats

Reader Bryan contributed this nice summary of what the various thermostat wires usually control, by color code:

The wiring to a thermostat unit depends on if you have

  • a heating system only
  • a heat pump, providing both heating and cooling
  • air conditioning unit only

Thermostat wiring also depends on how the installer has wired the thermostat.

Typical Thermostat Wire Connections for Heat Pumps

Typical connections when wiring a heat pump are as follows:

  • the red is power,
  • the yellow is for cooling,
  • the white is for heat,
  • the green is for the fan,
  • the orange is for the reversing valve, and
  • the blue is usually always common.

Again, you will have to check to see how the installer has ran the wires from the thermostat. Also see Table of Common Heating and Cooling Thermostat Wiring Connections for added details.

Typical thermostat connections when wiring a thermostat to control only a heating system or only an air conditioning system

If your thermostat is controlling only a heating system or only an air conditioning system, you will only have a red wire, and a white wire coming form the inside unit, to the outside unit.

On an air conditioner these two wires will go on the contactor to send 24 volts to the coil to pull the contactor in to start the air conditioner.

On a heating system these two wires will go to two thermostat connections on the primary controller such as an aquastat or air handler control that turns on the heating unit. Depending on the type of heating system, the thermostat, acting simply as an "on-off" switch will

- Hot water heat In the U.S. the TT wires will turn on a hot water circulator (or open a zone valve) on a hydronic or hot water heating system; falling boiler temperature will cause the aquastat to turn on the oil or gas burner (this is the U.S. typical installation).

- Hot water heat In Canada the TT wires will activate an aquastat control that will turn on and off the boiler based on its temperature; circulators are already running.

- Hot air heat: the TT wires will turn on the furnace heating equipment (oil or gas or electric, say); when the air temperature in the furnace heating plenum is hot enough the fan limit switch will turn on the blower fan.

These are the traditional wiring schematics, again, check the thermostat to see if this is the case with yours.

Instructions for Wiring of Line Voltage 120V Wall Thermostats

See this 1949 Honeywell Control Handbook for an explanation of older line voltage (120-Volt) and 24-Volt thermostats and other controls such as the T40 series 4-wire 120V T44 Thermostat

Shorting Out Thermostat Wires - Leads to Loss of Heat

Watch out: do not short any wires together. Turn off power & confirm it is off. Don't forget to turn off all electrical power involved with your heating system before working on thermostat wiring, and confirm that power is off where you are working by using an appropriate test instrument such as a VOM. Shorting thermostat wires to ground or together is likely to damage components in the thermostat itself or in other heating system components, as this reader's report below illustrates:

I had a no heat situation since replacing my programmable thermostat. I did some checks that the thermostat company said and the thermostat is good. But now my furnace won't come on at all. I can hear the transformer humming. It is a Miller model #M3RL-080-ABW in a four year old manufactured home.

Apparently I touched two live wires together when doing the thermostat installation. I know, I should have turned off the breaker, (power), before working. That is the lesson of the week for sure!

I blew a small purple, two prong, auto style fuse in the electrical board on my furnace. What I did not know is the fuse was marked with a "E" instead of a number, but it is a 4 amp fuse, found at your local automotive store. I was without heat all weekend, even though it could have been on Friday evening.

I'm glad I pulled the fuse and looked to see the metal inside was broken. Otherwise I might have been without heat until I could get a HVAC guy to come out to my house. -- S.R.

A Table of Common Heating and Cooling Thermostat Wiring Connections for Major HVAC & Thermostat Brands

The following thermostat wiring suggestions were derived from a thermostat wiring connection code list provided courtesy of J. Scott Meenan.

Watch out: do not short any wires together. Turn off power & confirm it is off. As we have warned before, don't forget to turn off all electrical power involved with your heating system before working on thermostat wiring, and confirm that power is off where you are working by using an appropriate test instrument such as a VOM. Failure to respect this advice risks equipment damage, and in some cases electrical shock or even a building fire.

Common HVAC Thermostat Wiring COnnections
Terminal Name Nominal Wire "Color"1 Function
Generic HVAC thermostat control wiring points [see other brand specific notes below]
(B) Blue, Orange Energize to heat. Used on some systems including Rheem/Ruud HVAC systems. See (O) below.
(B) Blue, brown , or black

Blue, brown , or black wire, common side of the transformer. Needed on some electronic thermostats or if the system uses indicator lamps.

Watch out: do not confuse this terminal with the (B) discussed above. Check you brand, model, and installation manual/wiring diagram.

(Also see (X) below)

(C)   Common side of the transformer (see "B")
(E) Blue, Pink, Gray, or Tan Blue, pink, gray, or tan wire, emergency heat relay on a heat pump. [Active all the time when selected, usually not used -??]
(G) Green

Furnace blower fan (used in air conditioners, heat pumps, some electric furnaces.)

On most thermostats the (G) and (Y) terminals are connected together at all times when the fan switch is in the "Auto" mode.

(O) Orange Energize to cool, used for reversing valve on heat pump systems.
(R) Red Electrically live side ("hot" side) of the transformer wiring
(T) Tan, Gray Outdoor heat anticipator reset
(W) (W1) (W2) White

"Heat", such as for a gas burner, oil burner, electric heat, or auxiliary heat on a heat pump, including the defrost output from an outdoor (condenser) that is used to activate electric heat at the compressor and to turn on the AUX heat lamp indicating that backup electric heat is in use or required.

Some heat pumps require a jumper from (W) to (Y) to operate the heat pump.;

(X)   Also see (B) above.
(Y) Yellow Compressor activity: cooling, or cooling and heating if on a heat pump

Thermostat Wiring Terminal Notes for typical

Two-Wire Flair 2-wire type Wall Thermostats (3 wires found at the wall thermostat)

Flair model ANOVO Thermostat fed from a Flair zone valve

(4)
As wire colors may vary, note the wire colors Wire coming from Flair zone valve terminal (4) "Open"
(5)
at the zone valve. Wire coming from Flair zone valve terminal (5) "Common"

Thermostat Wiring Terminal Notes for typical

Two-Wire Flair 3-wire type Wall Thermostats (3 wires found at the wall thermostat)

Flair model ANOVO Thermostat fed from a Flair zone valve

(4)
As wire colors may vary, note the wire colors Wire coming from Flair zone valve terminal (4) "Open"
(5)
At the Flair zone valve and Wire coming from Flair zone valve terminal (5) "Common"
(6)
Match those colors to terminals at the thermostat as shown here Wire coming from Flair zone valve terminal (6) "Closed"

Thermostat Wiring Terminal Notes for typical

Two-Wire Honeywell T87-F type Wall Thermostats (only 2 wires found at the wall thermostat)

Honeywell thermostat T87F type models include the Super Tradeline T87F1959 (replaces the T26A1433 and T87C1252), T87F1867, T87F2816, T87F2824, T87F2873. These thermostat T87F models vary by the operating temperature range they support and a few other simple features such as the presence or absence of a thermometer. Functionally and for wiring they are similar.

(R)
Red Red wire coming to the thermostat from the heater
(W)
White White wire coming to the thermostat from the heater

Thermostat Wiring Terminal Notes for typical

Three-Wire Honeywell Wall T87-F type Thermostats (3 wires found at the wall thermostat)

(R)
Red Red wire coming to the thermostat from the heater
(W)
Blue wire Connect the blue wire coming to the thermostat from the heater or air conditioner
(Y)
White wire Watch out: Connect the white wire coming to the thermostat from the heater or air conditioner to the (Y) terminal, not the (W) terminal.

Thermostat Wiring Terminal Notes for

General Electric (GE), Trane, American Standard HVAC

Numbers   Refer to the equipment wiring diagram (usually glued inside the equipment access covers and in the the installation/service manual). May be stages of electric heat, especially on
Air-Pro, Borg Warner, Coleman-Evcon, Frasier Johnson
(L)
Blue, Brown, Tan, or Gray Service indicator lamp
(W2)
Pink or other color Second stage of heat (may be same as (W) on heat pump or oil/gas systems.
(X2)
  Second stage of electric heat on GE/Trane/American Standard systems. Also used as indicator lamp or misc. contact on other systems.
(Y2)
Blue, Pink Compressor second stage

Thermostat Wiring Terminal Notes for

White Rodgers 1F90 Low Voltage Programmable Digital Comfort-Set

White Rodgers 1F90 Used For 2-wire Heating Only Systems
(W)
White White wire coming to the thermostat from the heater or from the secondary (C) terminal on the transformer, routed through a White Rodgers isolation relay.
(RH)
Red Red wire coming to the thermostat from transformer secondary (R) terminal. The same transformer (R) terminal typically also feeds a gas valve or vent damper, but not through the thermostat.
White Rodgers 1F90 Used For 3-Wire Series 10 Heating Systems
(W)
White White wire coming to the thermostat from the heater
(RH)
Red Red wire coming to the thermostat from the heater. From transformer secondary (R) terminal.
(B)
jumper wire Add a jumper between (R) and (B) on the primary control
(R)
jumper wire Add a jumper between (R) and (B) on the primary control

Notes:

1. Color: markings in the thermostat wall plate or in some models at other terminals on the thermostat body itself may indicate conventional wire colors that connect to this terminal, or the terminal ID with a letter such as "R" = red, as we illustrate above.

Watch out: the colors of the wires that you connect to these terminals do not necessarily match the nominal "terminal ID", as we illustrated above at "How Do I Install & Wire Up a Room Thermostat "

 

Lennox thermostat and equipment wiring color codes may vary significantly from common usage. Be sure to consult with Lennox and obtain the proper installation manual for your equipment.

These White Rodgers Tables Map Old Thermostat Wires to New (White Rodgers) Thermostat Terminals & Help Identify Old Thermostat Types

Thermostat Terminal Identification Table
Old Thermostat Terminal Marking or ID Old Thermostat Type
4
W
RC
Y
G
1
RH
W
RC
Y
G
2
M
H
V
C
F
3
RS
4
Y6
G
4
R
W
Y
G
5
Source: White Rodgers 1F90 Low Voltage Digital Comfort Set Thermostat Installation Instructions

Map of Old Thermostat Terminals to New TT Terminals
Old Thermostat Type New Old   New Old   New Old   New Old   New Old
1
RH 4 W W RC RC Y Y G G
2
RH RH W W RC RC Y Y G G
3
RH M W H RC V Y C G F
4
RH R5 W 4     Y Y6 G G
5
RH R W W     Y Y G G
Source: White Rodgers 1F90 Low Voltage Digital Comfort Set Thermostat Installation Instructions

 

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THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING
  Types of Building & Room Thermostats
  How Thermostats Work
  Detailed Guide to Room Thermostats
  How to Set the Thermostat
  COOL OFF HEAT, Thermostat Switch
  FAN ON AUTO Thermostat Switch
  HEAT ANTICIPATOR Adjustment
  HEAT ANTICIPATOR Mini Ammeter to Check
  HEAT PUMP Thermostats - Outdoors
  INSTALL & WIRE Thermostats
    Two-Wire Wall Thermostat Wiring
    Three-Wire Wall Thermostat Wiring
    Six-Wire Wall Thermostat Wiring
    Line Voltage 120V Thermostat Wiring
    Shorting Out Thermostat Wires
    Table of Thermostat Wiring Connections
  TEMPERATURE RESPONSE of Room Thermostats
  SWITCH FUNCTIONS on a Room Thermostat

  • Thanks to reader S.R. for discussing loss of heat due to a thermostat wiring mistake, October 2010
  • Thank to Mr. Scott Meenen, G&S Mechanical Services, for providing some common thermostat wiring codes also found at Mr. Meenen's web page http://toad.net/~jsmeenen/wiring.html . Mr. Meenan provides heating, heat pump, and air conditioning repair services in Maryland, Washington D.C., and northern Virginia. He can be contacted at 301-591-1646 or by Email to jsmeenen@toad.net - 10/2010. Quoting:
    We service American Standard, Amana, Arco, Arco-Air, Bryant, Carrier, Coleman Evcon, Comfortmaker, Day/Night/Payne, Dunham-Bush, Fedders, Fredrich, Goodman, General Electric, Heil, Intertherm, ICP, Janitrol, Lennox (Armstrong, Johnson Air-Ease), Miller, Modine, Nordyne, Rheem/Ruud/Weatherking, Sears, Stewart Warner, Trane, Weather King, Williams, White-Westinghouse, Whirlpool, Weil Mclain, York, (Frasier Johnson/Borg Warner) and others.
  • Domestic Central Heating Wiring Systems and Controls, 2d Ed., Raymond Ward, Newnes, ISBN-10: 0750664363, ISBN-13: 978-0750664363, Quoting from Amazon.com:
    This unique A-Z guide to central heating wiring systems provides a comprehensive reference manual for hundreds of items of heating and control equipment, making it an indispensable handbook for electricians and installers across the country. The book provides comprehensive coverage of wiring and technical specifications, and now includes increased coverage of combination boilers, recently developed control features and SEDBUK (Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK) boilers ratings, where known.
    In addition to providing concise details of nearly 500 different boilers fuelled by electric, gas, oil and solid fuel, and over 400 programmers and time switches, this invaluable resource also features numerous easy-to-understand wiring diagrams with notes on all definitive systems. Brief component descriptions are provided, along with updated contact and website details for most major manufacturers.
  • "Automatic Oil Burner Controls - Thermostats", Domestic and Commercial Oil Burners, 3rd Ed., Charles H. Burkhardt, McGraw Hill, 1969 (and later editions), ASIN B0000EG4Y8
  • Proliphix Corporate Headquarters, 3 LAN Drive Suite #100 Westford, MA 01886 Phone: +1.978.692.3375 Toll Free (U.S.): 866-IP-LIVING (866.475.4846) Fax: +1.978.692.3378 - Sales: sales@proliphix.com Marketing: marketing@proliphix.com Customer support: support@proliphix.com http://www.proliphix.com/ - quoting from the company's website:
    All Proliphix Network Thermostats come with our free Uniphy Remote Management Service. This unique offering lets you monitor and control your HVAC systems by simply pointing your Browser to our secure Proliphix Web Site. Enjoy the convenience of programming a thermostat from any location, using a simple graphical interface. No computer equipment or software is required. And since Proliphix takes care of the network configuration for you, you’ll be up and running in no time. We’ll even proactively monitor your thermostats and send you an immediate email or SMS message when an HVAC problem is detected.
  • Honeywell Controls, the company wants you to use their contact form at this web page: http://www51.honeywell.com/honeywell/contact-support/contact-us.html
    Honeywell Consumer Products, 39 Old Ridgebury Road Danbury, CT 06810-5110 - (203) 830-7800
    World Headquarters, Honeywell International Inc., 101 Columbia Road, Morristown, NJ 07962, Phone: (973) 455-2000, Fax: (973) 455-4807 1-800-328-5111
  • White Rodgers Thermostats and HVAC controls,
    Homeowner information: http://www.emersonclimate.com/en-US/brands/white_rodgers/Pages/wr-homeowner-info.aspx
    Contractor information: http://www.emersonclimate.com/en-US/brands/white_rodgers/wr_contractor_info/Pages/white-rodgers-contractor-info.aspx
    White Rodgers Product Catalog (don't misspell the company's name as White Rogers Thermostats) -
    http://www.emersonclimate.com/Documents/thermostats.pdf - Thermostat Catalog
  • White Rodgers 1F90 Low Voltage Digital Comfort-Set thermostat Installation Instructions, PN 37-3654, White-Rodgers Division, Emerson Electric Co., 9797 Reavis Rd., St. Louis MO 63123

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson Dunlop The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop. The Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
  • Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity, exposure limits, poisoning symptoms, and inspecting buildings for CO hazards
  • DUST CONTAMINATION FROM HVAC? An Investigation of Indoor Dust Debris Blamed on a Heating/Cooling System Reveals Carpet Dust
  • Fuel Oil & Oil Heating Magazine, 3621 Hill Rd., Parsippany, NJ 07054, 973-331-9545
  • Goodman Furnace High Temperature Plastic Vent HTPV safety recall US CPSC notice
  • Home Heating System Should Be Checked [for proper venting and for CO Carbon Monoxide Hazards - DJF]
  • Inspection Procedures for Oil-Fired Heating Systems Detailed step by step approaches for inspecting complex systems]
  • Lennox Pulse Furnace Safety Inspection/Warranty Program: Carbon Monoxide Warning
  • Oil Tanks - The Oil Storage Tank Information Website: Buried or Above Ground Oil Tank Inspection, Testing, Cleanup, Abandonment of Oil Tanks
  • Oil Tanks Above Ground, UL Standards, guidance for home owners, buyers, and inspectors
  • Plastic Heating Vent Pipe & Other Heating Safety Recall Notices
  • Weil McLain Model GV Gas Boiler/gas valve CPSC recall/repair
  • Domestic and Commercial Oil Burners, Charles H. Burkhardt, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York 3rd Ed 1969.
  • National Fuel Gas Code (Z223.1) $16.00 and National Fuel Gas Code Handbook (Z223.2) $47.00 American Gas Association (A.G.A.), 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209 also available from National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. Fundamentals of Gas Appliance Venting and Ventilation, 1985, American Gas Association Laboratories, Engineering Services Department. American Gas Association, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209. Catalog #XHO585. Reprinted 1989.
  • The Steam Book, 1984, Training and Education Department, Fluid Handling Division, ITT [probably out of print, possibly available from several home inspection supply companies] Fuel Oil and Oil Heat Magazine, October 1990, offers an update,
  • Principles of Steam Heating, $13.25 includes postage. Fuel oil & Oil Heat Magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004.
  • The Lost Art of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, 516-579-3046 FAX
  • Principles of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, technical editor of Fuel Oil and Oil Heat magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004 ($12.+1.25 postage/handling).
  • "Residential Steam Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
  • "Residential Hydronic (circulating hot water) Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
  • "Warm Air Heating Systems". Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
  • Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Volume I, Heating Fundamentals,
  • Boilers, Boiler Conversions, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23389-4 (v. 1) Volume II, Oil, Gas, and Coal Burners, Controls, Ducts, Piping, Valves, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23390-7 (v. 2) Volume III, Radiant Heating, Water Heaters, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, Air Cleaners, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23383-5 (v. 3) or ISBN 0-672-23380-0 (set) Special Sales Director, Macmillan Publishing Co., 866 Third Ave., New York, NY 10022. Macmillan Publishing Co., NY
  • Installation Guide for Residential Hydronic Heating Systems
  • Installation Guide #200, The Hydronics Institute, 35 Russo Place, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
  • The ABC's of Retention Head Oil Burners, National Association of Oil Heat Service Managers, TM 115, National Old Timers' Association of the Energy Industry, PO Box 168, Mineola, NY 11501. (Excellent tips on spotting problems on oil-fired heating equipment. Booklet.)
  • Links to our list of additional information on heating system inspection, repair, maintenance
  • ...

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