This tutorial will show you how to remove an old thermostat and install an ecobee smart thermostat.

Step 1: Disclaimer

“Warning” This tutorial is to be accomplished only by an adult. Please only perform this install if you have experience working with electricity. If you have no experience please stop here and find someone who has and can help you. Not knowing what you’re doing or missing a step could result in death or damage to property.

Step 2: Tools Required

1 Power drill

1 Phillips screwdriver

Step 3: Unbox Ecobee

Open your ecobee and verify you have everything pictured above. We won’t be using the power extender for this tutorial. You will need the following items.

1 face panel

1 backplate

1 backcover

1 instruction manual for help

2 Phillips screws

Step 4: “Warning” Ensure Power Is Off

This step is crucial for your own safety. You’ll need to find your service panel. This is typically located outside the home and looks like similar to the one in the picture.

Step 5: Open the Service Panel

Find the service disconnect.

Step 6: Turning of Power

Flip the Service Disconnect to OFF.

Step 7: Ensure Old Unit Has No Power

You can verify this by looking at the unit. Display should be blank as pictured.

Step 8: Ensure Unit Is Off

Find a vent and verify no air is coming from vent this will also verify unit is off and has no power.

Step 9: Remove Face From Old Unit

Pull on the face of the old unit gently towards you. You should here a click slowly lift face panel off.

Step 10: Tagging Your Wires.

With the faceplate now gone you can see in what locations these wires go. You can remove each wire and tag each wire with its name i.e. RC, RH Y1 and so on. Or you could simply take a picture of the wires and use it later when installing the ecobee. If you have a jumper cable like I do in from RC to RH ignore this as your ecobee will not need a jumper. Simply focus on the wires coming from the wall.

Step 11: Disconnecting the Wires From Your Old Unit

Disconnect each wire from your old unit. At the end the only wires attached the unit should be the jumper cables if you had any.

Step 12: Removing the Backplate

Unscrew the 2 supporting screws of the back plate with your Phillips screwdriver.

Step 13: Pull of Old Backplate

Now that you have removed the 2 screws. Pull the wires through the hole and remove the old backplate.

Step 14: Installing New Backplate

Find the new backplate and place it up to where the old plate used to be. If you have no damage you can use this plate as is. Mark the wall where your 2 new holes are going to be.

Step 15: Drilling the Holes for the New Backplate

Use a power drill to make the 2 new holes for you.

Step 16: Installing New Backplate With Damaged Wall

Locate the cover and place the backplate over it. This will help cover the damage to the wall from your old backplate.

Step 17: Installing the New Backplate

Once the cover and backplate are together push the wires through the plate hole.

Step 18: Securing Your New Backplate

Screw in the top screw but allow wiggle room.

Step 19: Securing Your New Backplate

screw in the bottom screw of the backplate but allow wiggle room.

Step 20: Ensuring Backplate Is Level

Locate the built in level installed in the bottom of your ecobee.

Step 21: Leveling Your New Backplate

Ensure the bubble is in between the 2 lines. Once you verify this you can screw in the screws till they are secured.

Step 22: Incorrect Way to Wire Backplate.

When securing the wires do not place them in the holes facing you like pictured above.

Step 23: Correct Way to Wire Back Plate.

Secure the wires to the holes on the side of each label as pictured above. This is the part where you will need to reference the picture you took earlier to ensure you place the correct wires in the correct letters.

Step 24: "Warning” Ensure Wire Is Properly Installed

As you install the wires tug on them a bit to verify the wire is secured properly and not loose. Having a loose wire can result in damage to thermostat or harm to you in way of shock once power is applied.

Step 25: Installed Wires

This is what you backplate should look like once all the wires are secured. Take a picture of this as you will be asked later to confirm your wire placement.