Learn the basic steps on how to install a boiler thermostat here.
Your boiler is one of the most important appliances in your home, and it is hard to find yourself in the middle of a boiler crisis especially during the cold months. The thermostat is a relatively small device that helps control the temperature in your home to make you comfortable in the hear of the summer and the cold months of winter.
Learning the basics of how a thermostat works can help you better understand your boiler when it breaks down. Often, when there is a need for boiler repair, the thermostat is to blame.
Read the simple steps below on how to install a boiler thermostat. Remember that these are ideal guidelines only. If you do not have any background or experience in this type of work, or if you are not completely confident you can finish the job accurately, seek the help of a professional gas safe registered engineer.
How to install a boiler thermostat
Here are some simple tips on how to install a boiler thermostat:
- Run the thermostat. Because the thermostat reads the ambient air temperature, it is best to place it in a large open room or a common area in the home like your hallway. Map the wire back to the boiler. You can use a wire snake to get the wire through the walls of your home and into the attic or basement and down the boiler room wall.
- Install the thermostat. Mount the back plate of the thermostat to your wall. Make sure that it is mounted level. The thermostat works using mercury. This liquid needs to be leveled to function properly. Using a cordless drill, secure the back plate with drywall anchor and screws. These are usually included in the package along with the boiler thermostat. Loosen the “R”, “W” and “Y” terminals using a screwdriver. Generally, 24-volt thermostat wirings come in two types: 2-wire (red/white) and 3-wire (red/white/blue). If you are doing a two-wire installation, connect the red wire to the “R” terminal and the white wire to the “W” terminal. For a 3-wire installation, connect the red wire to the “R” terminal, the white wire to the “Y” terminal and the blue wire to the “W” terminal. Using wire cutters, strip each wire to show 1 inch of the copper. Loop the end of each copper to each terminal and tighten the screws.
- Connect the wiring to the zone valve. The zone valve is the communication between the boiler and the thermostat with the help of a transformer. The transformer works by converting the volt feed from the panel making it lower so that it matches the thermostat wiring. Remove the transformer cover and install the wiring to the correct terminals within the transformer. The 100 volts powers the pump and blower, using the transformer as a relay between the individual zone valves and the circulating pumps.
These tips on how to install a boiler thermostat are made simple if you want to do the job DIY- style. However, if you are not sure how to go about doing it, do not take the risk. It is best to call a qualified engineer who can do the job safely and efficiently.
Call RJ Gas today and have one of our engineers look at your boiler. They know how to install a boiler thermostat, and provide other boiler services and repairs.
