Calling all homeowners who are considering upgrading to smart thermostats for their high voltage electric heating – this one’s for YOU. You’re tired of “guesstimating” temperature settings on your ancient dial thermostats and then worrying about how much it will drive up your electricity bill. You’re sick of the stress of being halfway to work and remembering that you forgot to turn down your heat, knowing that you’ll be wasting energy all day. And who has the energy (pun intended) to run laps around the house to manually adjust multiple thermostats when you’re already running your busy day?
While smart control for your home’s line voltage heating can be life-changing in terms of better energy efficiency and more convenient control than your inaccurate dial or complicated-to-use programmable thermostats, the question you’re probably asking yourself is: “Can (or should) I install my new line voltage smart thermostats myself, or call in a pro?”
In this blog, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about installing a smart thermostat for line voltage electric baseboard heaters, from checking your home’s compatibility to understanding your local safety regulations, to help you decide whether or not DIY smart thermostat installation is the right choice for you.
Ready to get started? Let’s dive in together.
Table of Contents
- Checking Your Home’s Compatibility
- Understanding Safety and Installation Best Practices
- DIY vs. Professional Installation
1. Checking Your Home’s Compatibility
Understanding High Voltage vs. Low Voltage Systems
High and low voltage electric home heating systems are both effective ways to keep your home warm, but they’re built for different setups and needs. If you’re thinking about upgrading your thermostat, knowing the differences between the two systems is a key first step!
High-voltage systems (also called line-voltage systems) are typically used for electric baseboard heaters, in-wall heaters, or radiant ceiling panels. These run directly on your home’s 120V or 240V electrical circuit, so they pack more power and are better for heating individual rooms or small areas. You’ll often find high-voltage systems in older homes without central heating systems. Smart thermostats for your high/line voltage heating – like market-leading Mysa Smart Thermostats for Electric Baseboard Heaters – give you remote heating control with a smart app, making your high-voltage heating much more energy-efficient and convenient.
A low voltage home heating system is a type of heating control system that uses low voltage (typically 24V) to operate thermostats and control relays for furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and other heating equipment. Instead of running on standard high voltage (120V or 240V), these systems rely on a transformer to reduce the voltage. Low voltage heating systems are commonly used in central heating systems with programmable or smart thermostats. Examples include forced-air furnaces, radiant floor heating with low voltage controllers, and hydronic heating systems with zone valves. Smart thermostats like Nest are designed specifically for app-based control for low-voltage systems.
Identifying Your Current Wiring Setup
Before purchasing a smart thermostat, take a look at your current thermostat wiring to determine whether your setup is single-pole or double-pole. Check if your existing thermostat uses two wires (single-pole) or four wires (double-pole), as this will determine which smart thermostat models are compatible.
Smart thermostats for high/line voltage systems – like Mysa Smart Thermostats for Electric Baseboard Heaters V2 and LITE – have thicker wires and are connected to the main power supply of your home.
Important reminder: home electric system wiring setups can look very different from house to house! If you are having difficulty identifying or understanding your home’s wiring setup, it’s best to contact a qualified electrician or installer, rather than guessing.
Finding the Right Smart Thermostat for Your System
Not all smart thermostats support high-voltage electric baseboard heaters! In fact, if you try to use a low-voltage smart thermostat to control a high-voltage home heating system, it can result in serious damage to your thermostat, heating system, or could even pose a fire hazard. Low voltage thermostats, typically designed for systems running on 24V, cannot handle the high voltage (120V or 240V) required by baseboard heaters or other high voltage systems.
Popular models like the Mysa Smart Thermostat are specifically designed to provide smart app control and easy energy savings for line voltage electric baseboard heaters. Always ensure that you check your compatibility before purchasing a smart thermostat for your home heating system.2. Understanding Safety and Installation Best Practices
Local Electrical Codes and Regulations
If you’re contemplating DIY installation for your new smart thermostats, knowing your local electrical codes and regulations is a crucial first step. As electrical codes vary by region, and it’s essential to check your local regulations before attempting any electrical work. Some areas require that a licensed electrician perform certain types of installations, while others allow homeowners to handle basic electrical tasks as long as they follow safety guidelines. Bottom line - if you’ve purchased a wifi controlled smart thermostat for your home’s line voltage heating system, double down on smart and check your local safety code first!
Proper Wiring and Electrical Precautions
You’re probably getting the idea by now, but we’ll say it again – working with 120V or 240V wiring is not something to take lightly! Before beginning a DIY installation for a line voltage thermostat, you MUST turn off the power to your existing thermostat at the circuit breaker. Once the power is off, it’s smart to double-check using a voltage tester to confirm the wires are not live before proceeding. If you are unsure of how to proceed, or just unfamiliar with handling electrical wiring, it’s a good idea to consult an expert.
Following Manufacturer’s Installation Instructions
Reputable smart thermostat manufacturers – like Mysa Smart Thermostats – provide detailed, easy-to-follow installation guides and step-by-step instructional videos to help homeowners complete the process safely, in addition to a friendly, North America-based Support team with resident HVAC experts that can be reached by live chat, email, and phone call.
Remember - following the manufacturer’s instructions exactly is crucial to ensuring a safe and successful DIY installation, if your local safety codes permit.
3. DIY vs. Professional Installation
Assessing Your DIY Skills and Comfort Level
Ok, let’s get real here – after all, we’re talking about serious safety issues. Do you have experience working with electrical wiring and feel confident following technical instructions, or are you more of an…aspirational DIYer? If the former, then installing a smart thermostat yourself might be a manageable project. However, if you’re unfamiliar with wiring diagrams, electrical safety procedures, or troubleshooting, it’s worth considering professional installation.
When It’s Best to Hire a Professional
As we covered earlier in this article, there are definitely situations where hiring an electrician or qualified installer for your new smart thermostats is your best choice. If your home’s wiring is outdated (or just plain complicated), if you’re unsure about compliance with local electrical codes, or if you simply prefer to have an expert handle the job, professional installation is a smart move. There’s no shame in calling in the experts – as smart thermostats continue to grow in popularity with homeowners, many electricians are now specifically certified to install smart thermostats and can ensure the job is done correctly and safely.
Installing a smart thermostat for your electric baseboard heaters can be a great way to enhance energy efficiency and convenience in your home. However, working with line voltage systems requires careful planning, knowledge of wiring, and adherence to safety codes! If you’re comfortable handling electrical work and have verified that your thermostat is compatible with your system, DIY installing your smart thermostats can be a rewarding project - and we won’t even mention the bragging rights to your neighbours! That being said, if you’re unsure about the process, your local safety codes prohibit it, or you just want to guarantee a safe and hassle-free installation, hiring a professional is always a great option.
No matter which route you take, following manufacturer instructions and utilizing available support resources will ensure you get the most out of your new smart thermostat. So, take your time, assess your DIY skills, and make the decision that’s best for YOU.
Upgrading to a smart thermostat for baseboard heating and wondering if Mysa Smart Thermostats could work in your home? Check your compatibility with Mysa and explore their lineup of wifi controlled smart thermostats for your high voltage electric heating today!