Installing a new thermostat in your home sounds like no big deal. If they sell them on shelves at Lowe’s and Home Depot, they have to be easy to install, right? Wrong. You see, thermostats are more than just cubes of plastic mounted up on your wall. They are the brains of your HVAC unit. They coordinate the airflow through your entire home and help keep the system running as efficiently as possible (saving you money). Although we know you are handy and YouTube is always helpful in teaching us a thing or two, here are a few reasons you should call out an electrician when it comes to installing a new thermostat.
Compatibility
When it comes to replacing your existing thermostat, you can’t just pick any old thermostat off the shelf and cross your fingers it will work. A thermostat and HVAC system must be compatible. For example, most of the new smart thermostats on the market today are only compatible with low-voltage HVAC systems. Low-voltage systems are also known as “centralized” systems. However, everyone’s home is different. Hiring an electrician to double check the compatibility of your thermostat to your HVAC system will only save you time and money in the long run.
Lots of Wires
Who knows wires better than electricians? There is a lot of wiring involved in replacing thermostats. Whether it’s cutting, stripping or rerouting, not having confident knowledge in what you’re doing is an electrical safety hazard. In fact, it is possible, depending on the age of your old one, that the new thermostat will require additional wires. Play it safe, and call out a professional.
Pros do More
Some of you may be asking, “Why would I call a professional if the installation instructions are right here on the box?” Hiring a professional is ensuring that the job is done right. Also, the electrician will do more than just install the new thermostat, move it to a new location, and/or add new wiring. They will likely service your HVAC system and check on any other electrical issues throughout the home.
Save yourself the headache and reach out to an electrician from Gulf Coast Electric today!
