Install your Nest thermostat

In most homes, installing a Google Nest thermostat is an like shooting fish in a barrel DIY project that takes near twenty-thirty min.  The Nest app'southward footstep-by-step instructions make it easy to install and wire your thermostat, and so use it as your main guide. Refer to this commodity if you need extra help.

To go started using your Nest thermostat, yous'll need to complete all the steps beneath.


1. Install your thermostat on the wall -You are hither
2. Set your thermostat
3. Get started using the Nest thermostat

Before yous open the box

Brand sure you've checked that your system will work with the Nest thermostat you lot've purchased.
Bank check compatibility

A Nest Pro can make installation even easier

Information technology's like shooting fish in a barrel to install a Nest thermostat yourself on most systems. Don't want to install it yourself? Contact our installation partner, OnTech, to assistance you lot check your organisation's compatibility, install, and prepare your Nest products. After they've installed your Nest thermostat, they can give you a demo and reply whatsoever questions you have.

If you buy a Nest thermostat from a pro and have them install it, yous can also get an extended Pro Warranty.

Install your thermostat on the wall

Check that yous have everything that came in the box

If you'd similar to install your Nest thermostat yourself, everything you need is included in the box:

Nest Learning Thermostat

  • Nest Thermostat display
  • Nest Thermostat base
  • Trim plate
  • Steel plate
  • Mounting screws and wire labels
  • Nest screwdriver
  • Installation Guide
  • Welcome Guide
  • Pro Installation Card
entire thermostat set in a box

Nest Thermostat E

  • Nest Thermostat display
  • Nest Thermostat base of operations
  • Trim plate
  • Mounting screws and wire labels
  • Installation Guide

If yous'd like to pre-drill holes, utilize a three/32" drill fleck or if y'all're drilling into hard materials, such every bit, stone, brick, concrete or marble, apply a masonry drill flake and drill.

Scout the installation video

Consummate installation instructions

The Nest app will guide you through thermostat installation, just here are some more detailed instructions to walk you through everything you need to do to install your Nest thermostat on the wall.

Note: These illustrations use the tertiary gen Nest Learning Thermostat, merely the steps are the same for the Nest Thermostat E.

Begin installation with the app

The Nest app'due south footstep-by-pace instructions get in easy to install and wire your thermostat, so use information technology equally your main guide. Refer to this article if you need actress help.

  1. It's essential to have the latest version of the app to complete setup. Download it from the Apple tree App Store or from Google Play. If you don't already have an account, the app will enquire you lot to create one.
  2. Tap Settings on the app home screen.
  3. Coil downwards and select Add together product to kickoff the setup instructions.
  4. To tell the app which thermostat yous're installing, scan the QR code on the back of the display. Or choose "keep without scanning" and select your thermostat model.
  5. The app will prove you how to install your thermostat. It volition ask y'all some questions about your thermostat wires. Answer them as accurately as possible.
    You'll get a custom wiring diagram for your organisation after you've installed the thermostat base.

one. Switch off power to your system

(You lot may accept already
completed this step.)

nest thermostat gen 3 install

It's of import to protect your thermostat and your arrangement. Plow
off the ability to your system and thermostat before exposing
any wiring.

Your HVAC system can have multiple breakers so brand sure to
turn them all off before moving on. Bank check that the power to
your organization is off by changing the temperature on your
thermostat by at least 5 degrees.

  • If it's winter, turn upward the temperature to turn on heating.
  • If it'south summer and y'all have organisation cooling, turn downward the
    temperature to activate your fundamental air workout.
  • Wait at least v minutes to see if your system turns on (you'll
    need to wait because many systems have a congenital-in delay).

You can heed for your system to turn on, or put your hand most
a vent to feel if there'southward warm or absurd air coming through. For
more detailed instructions, see the commodity linked below.

     How to turn the power off to my heating and cooling
system

2. Remove your thermostat'southward cover and accept a picture

(You may take already
completed this step.)

nest thermostat gen 3 install image

Once you lot're certain the power is off, remove your thermostat's cover.

Some thermostat covers pop off, while others demand to be
unscrewed. If you haven't already, now's a good time to take a film of your current wiring.

3. Get a wiring diagram from the app

(Y'all may take already completed
this step.)

nest thermostat wiring diagram

To get a custom wiring diagram for installation, only follow Nest app'southward thermostat installation instructions.

Important: This illustration is only an example. Each arrangement'southward
wiring is different. You must get your ain custom wiring
diagram with our Compatibility Checker.

Incompatible wiring

High voltage wires

nest thermostat gen 3 install step 3

If your thermostat is labeled 120V or 240V or has thick wires
with wire nuts, your organization is high voltage and isn't compatible
with the Nest thermostat. Do not connect the Nest thermostat
to loftier-voltage wires.

      Learn more well-nigh high voltage wires

Stranded wires

standard wires

Nest thermostats are not compatible with stranded wires. Do
not connect the Nest Thermostat to stranded wires.

      Learn more about stranded wires

4. Remove jumper wires and salvage them

nest thermostat gen3 install step 4

Jumper wires are brusque wires between ii connectors. The
Nest thermostat doesn't need them.

Keep your current thermostat, the photo of your wiring, and any
jumper wires your current thermostat uses in a safe place.

That way if yous ever make up one's mind to motility and you desire to take your
Nest thermostat with you, you'll accept everything y'all need to
reinstall your electric current thermostat.

5. Label the wires

If you come across ii sets of labels on each connector on your old
thermostat's backplate, visit the post-obit article for assistance:

      My former thermostat has two labels for each connector

nest thermostat wires example

Peel off the labels from the quick start carte du jour that came with
your Nest thermostat and adhere them to the matching wires
on your thermostat. You can also utilise the white labels for
additional wires if needed.

Troubleshooting wire labels

If you have labels like W, Y, or R, apply the wiring diagram that yous
created earlier to cull which labels to attach to these wires.

If you take different wire labels non covered hither, read this
commodity to learn more about thermostat wire labels:

       Learn more most what thermostat wire labels mean

If yous removed your old thermostat without labeling your wires
first, cheque the picture y'all took in step 2. If y'all don't have a
film you can bank check your system to endeavour to determine your wires,
or contact a Nest Pro.

6. Disconnect the wires
and remove the base

thermostat install step 6

Important: It's important that the power to
your system is off to avoid blowing a fuse in your
equipment. If yous blow a fuse, your
Nest thermostat won't plow on, or may display
a power error after installation.

Afterward removing the base, we recommend gently
wrapping the wires around a pen or pencil to
ensure they don't fall back into the hole in the wall.

Now is a good time to patch and paint over whatsoever
holes in your wall. Yous tin also apply the included trim
plate to aid hide scratches or screw holes on your wall.

7. Marker where screws will
get

thermostat install step 8

Use the bubble level to make certain the Nest thermostat is level.

eight. Attach the Nest base of operations

nest base and trim plate

If yous're going to utilise the optional trim plate, place it on the wall
earlier installing the Nest base.

Tip: You tin paint the Nest trim plate to match the color of your
wall. If you'd like to pigment your trim plate, make certain to pigment it
before it's installed. Make sure non to get any paint on your
wiring, the Nest base, or your thermostat's display.

Pull the wires through the center of the base of operations, then attach information technology to
the wall with the screws.

Important: Use a screwdriver, non a ability drill to drive in
screws for the Nest base. Drills can easily over-tighten the
screws and crack the base and damage its electronics.

Use the bubble level to make certain the Nest thermostat is level.

The Nest screws are self borer, so there's no need to drill into
soft materials. If you need to drill into harder things like wood,
use a 3/32 or 2.5mm drill bit.

9. Connect the wires

thermostat install step 9

Connect the wires to your Nest thermostat's base by following
the wiring diagram that you got from the Nest app.

Press down on the connector push and insert the wire every bit far
as it will go in. So release the button.

The connector button should stay down. This confirms that the
wire is properly seated.

thermostat connector button down

Terminals with wires should stay pressed downward.

If the button doesn't stay downwards, take the wire out, straighten information technology,
and put it dorsum in as far as information technology will go. Yous may need to strip the
end of your wire to brand certain enough copper is exposed.

Important: Do not put more than one wire in each connector on
the Nest base.

Important: Do not connect whatsoever "spare" wires to your Nest
thermostat that were not continued to your old thermostat.
Only use the wires on your Nest wiring diagram.

After all the wires are securely connected, push them down
toward the wall to make sure they're affluent with the base. If your
wires stick out likewise far they tin keep your thermostat display
from connecting properly.

If your wires stick out from the wall press them down

Before

Later

thermostat wires

thermostat wires

10. Attach the Nest display

step 10 install

Line up the pin connector on the back of the display and push it onto the base of operations until it clicks into place.

thermostat click

Tip: If you don't hear the brandish click, use your thumb to push button
the wires farther into the wall. This will brand sure the wires
aren't stopping the display from connecting to the base.

11. Switch power back on

nest thermostat gen 3 install

Afterward turning the power back on, your Nest thermostat should
power on automatically. If it doesn't plow on, you might see a
blinking red light to bespeak that the bombardment is charging.

Wait for the battery to charge or cheque this article for
troubleshooting steps:

       The Nest thermostat will not turn on after installation

12. Ready your Nest thermostat

Later on it's finished starting upward, the Nest thermostat will guide
you through setup.

Then y'all'll tell your thermostat a few nuts about your home
and your heating and cooling system and then it can assistance keep you
comfortable and salvage energy.

Yous tin can too connect your thermostat to Wi-Fi and so you can
command it with the Nest app, and download important
thermostat software updates.

       Prepare up your thermostat

Complete all the steps below to setup and install your Nest thermostat.

1. Install your thermostat on the wall -You lot are hither
two. Set upwards your thermostat
3. Become started using the Nest thermostat

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