If you are upgrading your rental properties to prevent tenant thermostat abuse and save on winter utility bills, the Control Temp thermostat is one of the most effective tools for the job.
While the installation process is straightforward, seeing it done in a real-world rental property makes it much easier. Huge credit to the YouTube channel Reggae Beard Off-grid Life for putting together an excellent, no-nonsense installation walkthrough while upgrading one of their own rental units.
You can watch their full installation video below, or follow our step-by-step written guide.
Tools You Will Need
- A standard Phillips-head screwdriver
- 2 AA batteries
- Your new Control Temp Thermostat
Installation Steps
Step 1: Shut Off Power to the Furnace
Safety always comes first. Before touching any wiring, head down to your property’s basement or utility room and flip the power switch for the furnace to the “Off” position.
Step 2: Remove the Old Thermostat
Pop the faceplate off your existing thermostat (in the video, an older Honeywell model is being replaced). Unscrew the old backplate from the wall, being careful not to let the exposed wires fall back into the drywall hole.
Step 3: Wire and Mount the Control Temp Backplate
Take the new Control Temp backplate and screw it securely into the wall. The wiring block is clearly labeled and color-coded. Match your existing wires (typically Red to R, White to W, Yellow to Y, Green to G) to the corresponding terminals on the new board and tighten the terminal screws with your screwdriver.
Step 4: Install Batteries and Attach the Faceplate
Insert two AA batteries into the back of the Control Temp digital faceplate. Once powered, line up the pins and firmly snap the faceplate onto the mounted backplate.
Step 5: Restore Power and Configure Settings
Head back to the furnace and flip the power switch back on. Return to the thermostat, open the bottom flap, and use the programming buttons to set your current time and day. From here, you can program your desired temperature limits (for example, locking the maximum heat to a reasonable limit so tenants cannot overwork the furnace).
Test the system by switching it to “Heat” and raising the temperature to ensure the furnace kicks on successfully.
Looking to upgrade your own rental units? You can purchase the exact programmable and non-programmable models shown in the video directly from our shop to start securing your utility margins.
