r/homeautomation • u/Proof_Gur3680 • 14h ago

PERSONAL SETUP Thermostat help?

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Renting a town home and want to know if this can be switched to a smart thermostat. I’d put the old one back in when we finally move. But I need the capability to set a schedule. My electric bill has been so high because I forget to adjust during the day. Thanks!

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4

u/criterion67 14h ago

Yes, a smart thermostat will work. You have all the necessary wires including the "C" wire for power.

2

u/Wihomebrewer 14h ago

Just turn the breaker off if you can’t access the furnace to flip the switch next to it

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u/Sooplates 13h ago

And also needs to be carefull for thermostat and valves - if Normally Open (NO) or Normally Closed (NC)

Also the OP did not gave us any hint(or I did not understood) what type of heating he has. Electric/gas -> floor heating, radiator? All need a specific type.

If you don’t pay attention to what you buy, it may not be appropriate and can do damage or just not work/ wiring be diferent.

Edit: just reread and seen ‘electric bill’

2

u/Wihomebrewer 10h ago

For those of us that know, we didn’t need that part based on the wiring that’s there. It would have been different with water heat and wouldn’t have been anything like that if it was baseboard electric

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u/Sooplates 10h ago

I am just a diy guy who has some head scratches to do before buying and installing the smart thermostat. Guessed this is the same case for OP. Cannot say I know a lot, just giving a heads up.

Also, the heater plays an important role in the gas+electric bill - if it’s condensation or older. ~30% effectiveness for the one working with condensation as I know - again, based on my experience as I have just changed it due to this reason.

1

u/Proof_Gur3680 11h ago

Heat is gas. My electric and gas is one bill. Sorry for the confusion.

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u/megared17 9h ago

FYI

R (red wire) for power, W (white wire) for heat, Y (yellow wire) for cooling, G (green wire) for the fan, and optionally C (blue or black wire) for common power for digital thermostats. 

0

u/JustNotThatIntoThis 14h ago

If you're renting, you should probably run this by the landlord. If anything goes wrong with the HVAC you don't want to be blamed