Article Summary:
This article will walk you through installing the 1st generation Nest Learning Thermostat.
If you've ever installed a power outlet or a overhead lighting fixture - if you know how to shut off your circuit breakers and strip a wire - you'll be more than comfortable installing the Nest Learning Thermostat.
Some installations are simple and take just 10 minutes, using only the Nest screwdriver. Depending on your existing installation, you might need needle-nose pliers, a drill with a 3/32” bit, or wire strippers. You also might want to patch and paint your wall or apply wallpaper to a trim plate.
Step 1: Turn off the power
First, turn off the power supply to your heating and cooling system. This is important to protect you and your equipment. Usually you can just turn off the heating and cooling breakers in your breaker box. If you can’t tell which breakers are heating and cooling, turn off the main circuit breaker for your home.
Step 2: Remove the cover from your old thermostat
You’ve probably already done this at least once while checking that your system was compatible with the Nest Thermostat. If you haven’t verified compatibility, you should do this now.
The cover on most thermostats pop off, while others have screws that need to be removed. Once you have removed the cover, take a picture of the wire connectors. You can use this picture for reference later when you connect your wires to the Nest Thermostat's base.
Important Note: If the thermostat cover is built into the wall, you see thick, high-voltage wiring, or if your old thermostat is connected using wire nuts, the Nest Thermostat is not compatible with your system. DO NOT CONNECT the Nest Learning Thermostat to high voltage wires.
For more information, see:
How to tell if your current thermostat is low voltage
Step 3: Label the connected wires
Because every heating and cooling system is different, it’s important to label your wires. Use the labels included in the Installation guide. If you can’t find a label for a wire you have, your heating and cooling system may not work with the Nest Thermostat. Use the Compatibility Check to make sure or visit nest.com/wires.
When labeling, you can ignore any jumper wires(short wires that connect two terminals on your old thermostat and don’t go back into the wall). And if you have a single R wire, label it with Rh or Rc.
Note: Any wires that weren't connected to your old thermostat can be ignored. Don’t label them or attach them to your Nest Thermostat.
To learn more about thermostat wiring, see the articles below.
My old thermostat has two sets of labels for the connectors. Which ones do I use?
The Nest Learning Thermostat and proprietary systems
Step 4: Disconnect your old thermostat's base
Disconnect the labeled wires from the old thermostat base and remove the base from the wall using the Nest screwdriver. Most thermostats have screws that hold the wires. Others might have buttons you press to release the wires.
The Nest screwdriver includes four different bits to fit the screws on most existing thermostats.
At this point, you can discard any short jumper wires that were connected to your old thermostat.
Step 5: Prep your wall
Once your old thermostat has been removed, take a look at the place where your thermostat was installed. How damaged is the wall behind it? Is the space textured and painted like the rest of the wall? Will the Nest Thermostat cover any marks when it's installed?
This is a great time to patch, spackle, and paint. Or, you can use one of the trim plates provided in the Nest Thermostat's optional mounting kit to cover up any damage.
Another thing to consider is the material of your wall. If you install your Nest Thermostat on drywall, use the provided anchors and the screws. If there is a stud behind the wall, use only the screws. If you're not installing on drywall, here are some tips:
How to install the Nest Thermostat on different wall surfaces
Step 6: Attach the base to the wall. Make sure it's level.
The Nest Learning Thermostat comes with everything you’ll need to install it on almost any wall surface.
Use the included screws to mount the Nest Thermostat to plain drywall. For panelling, plaster-and-lath, or if there is a stud behind the thermostat, pre-drill a hole using a 3/32” bit first.
You may need to use the optional mounting kit that came with your new Nest Thermostat, depending on how damaged the wall is behind your old thermostat.
Step 7: Connect the wires
Now it’s time to connect the wires to the Nest Thermostat's base.The exposed part of the wire should be between 1/3 and 1/2 an inch. Simply push down on the connector that matches the wire, insert the wire all the way into the connector, and then release. Do this for every labeled wire.
Important Note: Remember, don’t connect any jumper wires or any wires that weren't connected on your old thermostat.
Step 8: Attach the display
Using your thumb, push the bundled wires back to the wall so they’re flush with the base. If they aren’t, the display might not connect properly. To connect the display, hold the Nest Thermostat with the logo at the top. Push it directly onto the base until you hear it click into place.
Step 9: Turn the power back on
Turn the power back on to your heating and cooling system, and your Nest Thermostat will automatically begin setup.
For more information, see:
A step-by-step guide to setup on the Nest Learning Thermostat