A thermostat you can control from anywhere makes the idea of a smart home inviting. But, using Google Home and a thermostat together can sometimes be confusing.
When figuring out our thermostat installation, you might deal with the following:
- Compatibility issues
- Complex setup procedures
- Or difficulties in using its potential after successful integration.
These issues can make anyone throw their hands up and stick to manual control. But what if there was a better way to configure this installation? That’s precisely what we’re aiming for today. In this clutter-free thermostat installation guide, we’ll share how you can manage both smart home setups without missing out on their features.
So if your thermostat is here and you wish to put it up ASAP, read on to do it the smart way!
Thermostat Installation Step-By-Step Guide
Before we get to thermostat installation, know that some models might have different setup instructions that you’ll have to follow as per the manufacturer. But if we talk about a standard thermostat, here’s how you can put it to work:
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Install The Smart Thermostat and Set Up Its Wi-Fi Connection
Your smart thermostat usually comes with a detailed instruction manual about connecting any necessary wiring to help you install the thermostat.
After installing the thermostat on your wall, power it up. It will likely boot into a setup mode automatically, and you must connect the thermostat to your Wi-Fi network.
Now, on your smart thermostat screen, look for the ‘Settings’ or ‘Menu’ option. Every thermostat has a different interface, but generally, you’ll find this on the top right corner of the home screen. Select ‘Settings,’ and from there, choose ‘Network’ or ‘Wi-Fi’ to put in the details if prompted.
After you input the data, the thermostat will attempt to connect to your Wi-Fi network. Once you’ve successfully established a connection, you should see a confirmation message on the thermostat screen.
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Download And Install the Google Home App On Your Smartphone
Let’s now get to integrating your thermostat with Google Home. To do this, you’ll need the Google Home app on your smartphone.
Visit the App Store or the Google Play Store and search for ‘Google Home’ (this app is free to download). Once you find it, click ‘Install’ or ‘Get’ to download the app onto your smartphone and install it.
Upon opening the app for the first time, you’ll be asked to log in or create a Google account if you don’t already have one. And if you do, add in your details, and the app will start working.
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Open The Google Home App and Tap The “+” Icon
Launch the Google app on your device and look for the “+” symbol, which is your gateway to adding new devices to your Google Home setup.
Tap it, and a menu will let you add various types of devices to your Google Home ecosystem. Touching the “+” sign means you’ve signaled to the Google Home app that you want to add a new device to your account.
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Tap “Set Up Device”
From the “+” menu, find and select the “Set up device” option, and you’ll be directed to a new page with two options: “New devices” and “Works with Google.”
Since you’re setting up a smart thermostat that works with Google Home, you will select “Works with Google.”
If you tap “Works with Google,” a new page will load with a display of a list of all the manufacturers that Google Home supports. You’ll find your thermostat’s manufacturer in this list in the next step of our guide.
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Tap “Have Something Already Set Up?”
After navigating to the “Works with Google” section within the Google Home app, notify the app that you already have a device set up – in this case, your smart thermostat. So, where do you find this option for thermostat installation? It’s right on your screen.
Look for the phrase “Have something already set up?” You’ll find it on the screen that appeared after you selected “Works with Google.”
It’ll tell Google Home that you already have a device installed and ready to be added to your Google Home network.
Note: this option is specifically designed for devices like the smart thermostat that you’ve already installed and connected to Wi-Fi.
Once you tap on “Have something already set up?” you should see a list of manufacturers that make devices compatible with Google Home.
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In The List of Manufacturers, Find And Select Your Thermostat’s Brand
Scroll through the list of manufacturers to find your thermostat’s brand. It might be a Nest thermostat, Honeywell, Ecobee, or another brand. Regardless of your thermostat’s manufacturer, it should appear in this list if it’s compatible with Google Home.
Once you find your thermostat’s brand, tap it, and it will take you to a sign-in screen where you’ll input your account details for that manufacturer.
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Log Into Your Account for The Thermostat’s Brand
After selecting your thermostat’s brand from the list of manufacturers, you’ll be directed to a new screen where you log into your account for your thermostat’s brand. It’s a necessary step to ensure a seamless communication line between your thermostat and the Google Home system.
To log in, input your username and password for the brand’s account. And if you’ve forgotten your password, most brands provide a “Forgot Password” option. Follow the prompts to recover your account for thermostat installation.
Once you input your credentials, tap “Login” or a similarly worded button. If you’ve entered everything correctly, you should be logged into your thermostat’s brand account.
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Authorize Google Home to Access Your Thermostat’s Data
Giving Google Home access to your best thermostat allows it to ensure all the components of your smart home work seamlessly.
Upon logging in, you’ll see a new screen that asks for your permission to let Google Home access your thermostat data.
Look for a button or checkbox that says “Authorize,” “Allow,” or similar. Tap it to grant Google Home access to your thermostat. You’ll then receive a confirmation that Google Home can access your thermostat’s data.
- Choose The Home Where You Want to Add The Thermostat And Tap “Next”
It’s time to specify where you wish to add your smart thermostat within your Google Home network.
On the next screen, you’ll see a list of your homes if you’ve set up more than one in the Google Home app. Each home represents a different location, such as your primary residence or a vacation home. Select the home where you have installed your smart thermostat.
After selecting the home/property, look for the “Next” button, typically in the screen’s lower right corner. Tap “Next” to proceed to the following step.
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Select The Thermostat You Want to Link from The List Of Devices, Then Tap “Next”
The next screen will display a list of devices associated with your thermostat’s brand account that you can add to your Google Home network. Among these devices, you should see your best thermostat.
After locating your thermostat in the list, tap it and look for the “Next” button, usually located in the lower right corner of your screen. Tap “Next” to proceed.
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Choose A Room for The Thermostat Or Create A New One, Then Tap “Next”
The best thing about thermostat installation is how easily it lets you control different rooms’ temperatures. On the next Google Home screen, you’ll see a list of rooms you’ve already created within your selected home.
If you see the room where your thermostat is located, select it (and it isn’t; you can create a new one from the same display screen). To do this, find and select the option to create a new room, typically labeled as “Add custom room” or similar. You’ll be prompted to type the name of the room. After typing it, tap “Done” or a similarly worded option to save the new room.
Once you’ve assigned the thermostat to a room, tap “Next” to proceed to the next step.
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Review The Linked Device and Change Thermostat’s Setting
The Google Home app will display a summary of the linked device, and it’s good to review this information to keep your HVAC system working well.
After reviewing the linked device, you must check if the connection between Google Home and your thermostat is working correctly. Changing the thermostat’s settings through the Google Home app; adjust the temperature setting and see if it impacts the actual temperature. If you notice the temperature changing according to your new settings, it means your thermostat is correctly connected to Google Home.
Once you’ve confirmed that the thermostat responds to the changes made via the Google Home app, locate the “Done” button, usually at the bottom of the screen. Tap “Done” to complete the connection process.
These standard thermostat installation steps will connect your device to Google so you can control it irrespective of where you are. But if your thermostat comes with different specified instructions, you must follow them or call an HVAC expert for prompt thermostat installation. Sometimes these devices are tricky, and it’s counterproductive if you’re careless with the installation.
Reasons Your Thermostat Might Not Be Working
All clear about the thermostat installation? Great. But what if you do everything right, yet your smart thermostat doesn’t work? If that’s the case, here are some potential reasons that might weigh down on your best thermostat:
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Incorrect Wiring
Your smart thermostat needs a secure and accurate connection to your home’s HVAC system. This connection primarily involves the right wires connecting to the appropriate terminals.
Therefore, you must follow the wiring instructions provided by the manufacturer while setting a thermostat. If the wiring is not done according to these instructions, your thermostat might not communicate effectively with your HVAC system. This miscommunication could lead to the thermostat not working at all or not functioning as intended.
In such cases, the best solution is to cross-check the wiring against the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re uncomfortable doing this yourself, get thermostat experts on board to resolve this issue.
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Weak Wi-Fi Signal
If the Wi-Fi signal in the thermostat’s location is weak, it might have difficulty connecting to the internet. You must place this device within a suitable range of your Wi-Fi router. If the signal is weak, you might need to consider moving the router closer to the thermostat or using a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal in that area. Checking your Wi-Fi connection might troubleshoot this issue if your smart thermostat isn’t working.
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Software Glitch
If your smart thermostat isn’t working properly and you suspect a software issue, you might need to reset the device. Each thermostat brand has a different reset method, so check your device’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for instructions. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, contacting customer support can provide additional troubleshooting assistance.
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Dead Batteries
If your thermostat operates on batteries, it might stop working when these batteries are depleted. If the batteries are dead, replace them with new ones. Ensure you use the correct type of batteries as specified by the thermostat manufacturer.
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Compatibility Issues
You must check a thermostat’s compatibility with your HVAC system so your money doesn’t go to waste. If you’ve already installed a thermostat and it’s not working, incompatibility might be the issue. In such a case, you must consult an HVAC professional or the thermostat’s manufacturer to find a compatible model.
Takeaway On Thermostat Installation
Maintaining a smart thermostat is effortless when you know what can impact its functionality. From correct wiring to strong Wi-Fi connections, each aspect is critical in ensuring your smart thermostat works effectively and seamlessly.
If you can’t figure out how to get your best thermostat up and running, call experts for this job.
Professional thermostat experts have the expertise to understand such devices’ problems and solve them.
A proactive step today can save you considerable time and stress in the future!
FAQs
How can I set different temperatures for different rooms?
If your smart thermostat supports multi-room control and you have smart room sensors installed, you can set different temperatures for each room directly from your thermostat’s app.
Can a smart thermostat save me money on energy bills?
Yes, smart thermostats can help you save energy and money. By learning your schedule and preferences, they can automatically adjust the temperature, reducing energy use when you’re away or asleep.
Is a smart thermostat compatible with my HVAC system?
Most smart thermostats are compatible with common HVAC systems. However, it’s smart to check compatibility with your specific system before purchasing a thermostat.
