People who want to install a new thermostat must first know how to remove the old one. Thermostats come with two basic components when it comes to either installing a new one or removing an old one the nest and the base plate.
Removing an old thermostat is quite simple; a thermostat can be removed by simply first removing the nest and then the base plate. If a user wants to change the location of the thermostat in his or her house, it can be a rather simple job the user has to change the settings of the thermostat according to the new location, and the thermostat would automatically adapt and operate according to the new location.
This can simply be done by resetting the ‘Home Away’ settings of the thermostat and the nest is set to be moved to a new location inside the house.
If the user is moving to a new residence or wants to completely remove the nest. All the user has to do is clear all the settings of the nest and then the nest can be reinstalled whenever needed and it will operate as if it was totally new and can be again programmed to operate in the new location.
MATERIAL REQUIRED
The material required to perform this job is quite easily available. All the users will need is
- Non-contact voltage tester
- Masking tape
- Pen or marker
- Screwdrivers
HOW TO REMOVE A NEST THERMOSTAT
To remove a nest thermostat following steps should be followed
- RESET THE THERMOSTAT
If the user is moving to a new location and feels that the thermostat would no longer be required then the first thing to do is to remove the thermostat from the nest account, which can easily be done through the mobile application. Then by using the ‘all settings’ function the thermostat can be reset. However, if the thermostat is being moved to a new location in the same premises, then it should not be removed from the application and can be reset by using the ‘away’ option.
– The quick view menu can be found by pressing the Nest ring.
– Settings can be selected by turning the ring and clicking on it.
– Here the option to reset can be selected.
– The right function can be selected here either ‘All settings’ or ‘Away’.
– The reset function can be selected by clicking the ring however for all settings the ring must be clicked again. - SHUT OFF THE POWER
Usually thermostats are powered by a transformer that connects to a 120-volt household, this is also the case with nest. To locate this circuit, you can also locate the circuit that usually powers the gas furnace, if it is not the same circuit, and then this might be an entirely different circuit.
It is important to shut off all the circuit breakers that are for the thermostat or the furnace. The circuit breakers are usually present in the main service panel. If the air conditioner is connected to an external circuit present outdoors, then they must be disconnected as well. - REMOVING THE NEST UNIT
When the power is shut off the nest unit still has power; this is due to the internal batteries that are present in case of a power outage. Therefore, the low voltage wires must be tested for power.
– The first step is to remove the nest unit by simply pulling it out.
– The next step is to use a non-contact voltage tester. This can be done by touching the probes to the end of each wire.
– If the tester shows that there is still power, then the appropriate circuit breaker should be turned off from the service panel. This may take some trial and error, and this should be done until the appropriate breaker is off, and no power is coming to the nest. - LABEL THE THERMOSTAT WIRE
Marking the wires is very important when it comes to forming electrical connections. The nest might have labels of its own indicating you about the connection of each thermostat wire but in case these labels are absent you should mark them by using masking tape.
When labeling the wires, the symbol markings should be followed rather than the color of the wires, even though sometimes the marking and the color can correspond, but it is not necessary. REMOVING THE BASE PLATE
In case a trim plate is present then the trim plate should be removed first and then the base plate is removed. The trim plate is of a rectangular shape while the base plate is circular.
– The labeled wires can be disconnected from the thermostat by pushing the terminal tab and then pulling out the wire. It is important to make sure that the wires do not get pushed into the wall.
– Then pull the thermostat cable out of the wall it would be good if the wire can be pulled to a few inches as it might just get pushed back into the wall.
– The next step is to remove the screws of the nest base plate and remove the base plate with the help of a screwdriver.
– The next step now is to remove the trim plate if one is present.
– The wires of the thermostat should be taped to the wall in case a new one needs to be installed in the future.
