There is no code for color thermostats (or most other devices less than 50V). But a trade standard many techs use Red for the R +24 hot , White for W heat switchleg, Green for G fan switchleg, Yellow for the Y cooling switchleg.

Can I use red wire as common for thermostat?

This is the most typical thermostat wiring style, and it applies to systems that regulate both heat and air conditioning. The wires are typically arranged as follows: red for 24-volt hot, white for heat, yellow for cooling, green for the fan, and blue for common (although the common wire may be a different color).

What does the red wire do on a thermostat?





Red or “Rc” Wires



Red wires, specifically Rc wires, are responsible for 24-hour volt AC power from your transformer. Rc wires are only for air conditioning systems or dual transformer systems. Dual transformer systems refer to a setup with a cooling and heating transformer.

What voltage should be on thermostat wires?

The most common type of voltage from a central heating and/or cooling system is 24 volts (24Vac). The old thermostat may say somewhere on the thermostat that it is for 24 volt (24Vac) or maximum 30 volts (30Vac). If you see 120 Vac or 240 Vac on the thermostat, a low voltage thermostat will NOT work with your system.

Does the red thermostat wire go to RH or RC?

There is no standard for the colour of the RH wire, but most units use a red one. The RC wire, on the other hand, refers to “red cooling”. It’s the same with the RH wire in that it powers the thermostat. For the RC, it powers the cooling system.

Where does the red wire go on a Honeywell thermostat?

The Rh wire connects to your heating system as opposed to your cooling system. This wire may be red without an H attached to it, depending on if you have a dual transformer setup. The Rh wire connects to the RH terminal on your thermostat.

How do you wire a smart thermostat?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: In this case the red goes to our for heating. And I just push my finger in right here. Then once you get the next ones code W. You go to W one. White one the yellow can go to Y.

Do I need a jumper between R and RC?

If you have a wire in the R terminal, and another wire (not a jumper) in the RC terminal, you will not need to connect the R and RC terminals. See our Basic Wiring article for more info here.

Are R and RH wires the same?

R , Rh , and Rc are all the same, but not. In general terms, the R terminal is where you connect the signal voltage source. In low voltage controlled systems, there will be a step down transformer that provides the power to the control circuitry.

Why is there a jumper from RC to RH?

In most cases, the heating and cooling system share a single transformer by leaving the jumper in the lower right corner it connects the RC and RH to power heat and cool features.

How do you wire a Honeywell smart thermostat?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You may notice a wire that looks like this known as a jumper wire. Note if you have a jumper wire between our and our C terminals. Next use the supplied sticky tags to label each wire.

Do I use RH or RC on Nest thermostat?

The Nest Thermostat E only has an R connector, which is typically where an R wire would go. If you have separate heating and air conditioning systems, you might have separate Rh and Rc wires that come out of the wall and are connected to your system.

What does W1 and W2 mean on a thermostat?

W/W1 and W2. In a conventional system, W/W1 controls your heating system and, where applicable, W2 controls your heating system’s second stage, which helps warm the home faster.

Can you jump W1 and W2 on thermostat?



If W1 is only wired up, it will always run in 1st stage, 2nd won’t come on unless W2 is wired to a two stage t-stat, or jumper to it.

Does white wire go to W1 or W2?

Thermostat White Wire (“W1” or “W2” Wire)



W wires go directly to the source of heating; that may be a furnace (gas, electric, oil, you name it) or heat pumps (mini-split heat pumps included). W2 is designated for two-stage heating. Most heat pumps include second-stage heating and require the white W2 wire.

Is W2 and e wire the same?

W2 is generally called on based on a temperature differential between setpoint and space, outdoor temperature, or run time. W3 – This is just the next stage of heat after W2. E – Is emergency heat, usually just a way to manually drive on what would normally be the secondary form of heat without stage 1 heating.

Do I need to use the E wire on a thermostat?

Some thermostats have an E connector. The E wire turns your emergency heat on or off. Emergency heat is usually used when it’s too cold outside for your regular heater to keep your home warm. The Y2 wire controls the second stage of cooling in conventional systems, which can help cool your home faster.

Where does W2 wire go on thermostat?



This wire should go directly to the heating source whether it be a gas or oil furnace, electric furnace, or boiler. White for W Terminal. W2 – This is the thermostat terminal used for second stage heat.