Replacing Mercury Thermostat with Digital (Heat Pump System)

[geissap]

We just bought a house. We have two zone heating and cooling (1st floor and 2nd floor). We have a newer Carrier system Model #213rna024 controlling the bottom floor and then a very old Trane System model #BWD724A100B0 running the top floor. In the house we have old Trane Mercury Thermostats (Baystat240 3AAT80B1A1).

I want to replace these thermostats with something programmable and digital. I went to the store and was overwhelmed. I have no idea if i'm 5 stage heat pump, 4 stage heat pump etc. I bought some RiteTemp thermostats and had no idea how to hook them up because I have no clue what I have. Anyone have any ideas where to go here? Can you even have programmable thermostats with heat pumps?

[dun11]

You have single stage cool/two stage heat - heat pumps.

Stay away from those rite temp stats, get a good honywell stat. 2 stage cool/two stage heat.

Make sure you turn off ALL power to systems both indoor and out before you change stats or you'll be back here asking why you have no cooling

[geissap]

Originally Posted by dun11

You have single stage cool/two stage heat - heat pumps.

Stay away from those rite temp stats, get a good honywell stat. 2 stage cool/two stage heat.

Make sure you turn off ALL power to systems both indoor and out before you change stats or you'll be back here asking why you have no cooling

Who sells honeywell? Do you know of the particuliar model that will work with my stuff? If i pull those weird plugs that are by the actual units does that cut ALL power? There like T shaped plugs?

[maxman10]

I usually take more than I give from forums, I admit. BUT, I spent 2 hours just last night installing a digital thermostat in place of my Trane mercury heat pump model (never done it before, shooting from the hip).

Say what you want about Honeywell, but the 6400 (a somewhat pricey model), left me totally floundering. I went to Home Depot and had both honeywell and a Rite Temp model in my hand when I started barraging the HD employee with questions and ended up with the Rite Temp. It was easy to set up, is Energy Star rated and at least according to the more-informed-than-normally HD employee the customers have had good experiences. The Honeywell instruction book just didn't list 4 or 5 of my wires - no description of how the different manufactureres label differently, just didn't mention it. Am much happier with Rite Temp. Looks and performs (so far) just as well. I have heard you get more flexibility and more options with Rite Temp anyway.

There I go, giving back to the forum community!

[dun11]

HD sells them, several models will work.
Turn off power at the breaker panel.

Maxman: The reason the average HO has more luck with generic stats is because they are more user friendly for those who aren't sure what they are looking at as you stated. Your average HVAC tech doesn't need all the additional labeling etc.
and since Honeywell really cators to the "Pro" not the "HO" there you have it.

Good luck with your Rite-temp and thanks for giving back