What kind of thermostat do I need?

dom92

We just bought a house that is about 15 years old that has a gas fired furnace. I'd like to replace the manual thermostat with a digital one, but I know very little about them. The current thermostat is a "Maple Chase" brand and removing the cover reveals four different wires that are connected to terminals that are labeled:

W
Y
RC
G2

I was hoping that someone here could tell me what kind of replacement thermostat I need based on this information.

Thanks!

wherm5150

I would recommend a digital programmable thermostat. It is really easy to install, and the new thermostat should have the same labeled connections. I know mine does anyway. There is no specific brand that you would need, just pick one that meets your personal needs.

There are a few different types, 7 day, 5/2 day, and 5/1/1 day thermostats. 7 day means that all your settings will be the same, Monday-Sunday. 5/2 means that Monday through Friday settings will be the same, and Saturday and Sunday will be the same. 5/1/1 means Monday through Friday are the same, Saturday is independent, and so is Sunday. 5/1/1 is what I installed in my home. You get four daily settings:

Wake
Depart
Arrive
Sleep

This allows you to program the thermostat to heat up or cool down your home when your there, or away. I set mine to be at 70 by the time we wake up at 6:30, Cool down to 60 when we leave the house at 8, 70 when we return home at 5, and 60 when we go to sleep at 10 Monday through Friday. Saturday and sunday are programmed around our typical weekend activities.

I use LUX, it's cheaper than the more expensive Honeywell and other brands out there, but will do the same for you.

dom92

Thanks for the advice. I was just thinking that the number of wires and the terminal labels had something to do with one or two stage system or something of the sort. If any low voltage programmable thermostat will work, I suppose I can handle it.

wherm5150

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yuri

All heating systems use 24 volts AC power or line voltage 120 volts. R is hot (24 volts supply to tstat) W is for heating, Y is for cooling, G is to energize the fan. Some tstats have a jumper between Rh(heat) and Rc(cool) and the R wire hooks to either one unless you have 5 wires and an old antique system with separate heat and cool transformers. I recommend the Honeywell Focus or Vision Pro line. You get what you pay for in the long run.

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beenthere

Sorry. Not to step on toes.

BUT. Don't follow any advise that tells you to do wiring without turning off the power.
People that tell you that. Are just lucky they haven't damaged their own equipment.

Many people that try doing that. End up burning up expensive furnace or A/C controls.

Also. Unless the thermostat and equipment are special made. It will be a 24 volt alternating current system. Not 12 volts DC.

Even the equipment that uses DC internal controls. Use 24 VAC to the thermostat.

Lux, hunter, and Maplechase are all cheap thermostats.
You won't find too many HVAC contractors that will use them. Because they are KNOWN to have lots of problems(We seen it hundreds of times).

Stay with Honeywell, White Rodger, Robertshaw. They are proven stats.

The designations won't be quiet the same.

You'll probably have RH and RC(these should have a factory jumper), along with W, Y and G.