If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, it’s going to require power. Because the thermostat is battery operated, you’ll need to occasionally change the batteries. In this post, we’ll talk about how to replace batteries in a thermostat to keep your system working well and your home comfortable.
Programmable thermostats need new batteries about once a year. To make it easier to remember, change the batteries in your thermostat, smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors all at once.
Some thermostats have a low power or low battery icon that will appear when you need to replace batteries. The owner’s guide should tell you what type of battery is needed, or you can get the information off the batteries themselves.
How to Replace Batteries in a Thermostat
- Remove the thermostat housing off of the wall plate to which it’s mounted. You may need to slide it up the wall plate before it will detach.
- Turn the housing over and find the slots the batteries are housed in. Using a small, flat-bladed screwdriver, pry the batteries out of the housing, noting the position of the positive and negative terminals. If the old batteries have corrosion, use baking soda to neutralize it, then clean the contacts with a pencil eraser.
- Replace the old batteries with the new ones, sliding them fully into the slots.
- Place the thermostat housing over the wall plate with the wall plate’s pins lined up with the screw block on the back of the housing. Snap it fully into place by sliding it down.
Now that you know how to replace batteries in a thermostat, you can help maintain your home’s HVAC system. But there’s much more to keep the system operating in peak condition and providing comfort for your household.
For more information on how to replace batteries in a thermostat, or for other home comfort needs, contact James Lane Air Conditioning & Plumbing Co. We’ve been proudly serving the Wichita Falls community since 1957.
