The Nest Thermostat is a popular smart thermostat that can help you save money on your energy bills. It’s easy to install and use, but if you need to take it off the wall for any reason, here’s how to do it. First, you’ll need to turn off the power to the thermostat. You can do this by flipping the breaker that controls the power to your HVAC system. Once the power is off, you can remove the faceplate of the thermostat by gently pulling it straight towards you.
Once the faceplate is off, you’ll see four screws that hold the thermostat to the wall. Use a screwdriver to remove these screws, and then carefully lift the thermostat off the wall. Be careful not to damage the wires that are connected to the thermostat. If you need to disconnect the wires, simply unscrew the wire nuts that hold them in place. Once the wires are disconnected, you can remove the thermostat from the wall.
If you’re having trouble removing the thermostat from the wall, don’t force it. You may need to call a qualified electrician to help you. Once the thermostat is off the wall, you can clean it or replace it with a new one. To reinstall the thermostat, simply reverse the steps that you took to remove it. Be sure to tighten the screws that hold the thermostat to the wall, and turn the power back on to your HVAC system.
Removing the Faceplate
Before you begin, power down your thermostat by flipping the breaker or removing the batteries. This will prevent any electrical shocks or damage to the device.
Once the power is off, gently grasp the faceplate of the thermostat with your fingers. There should be a small notch or indentation on one side of the faceplate, usually near the bottom. Place your fingernail or a thin object into this notch and carefully pry upwards.
As you pry upwards, the faceplate should come loose from the base. Continue prying gently until the faceplate is completely detached from the thermostat. Be careful not to use excessive force, as this could damage the faceplate or the thermostat itself.
Once the faceplate is removed, you will have access to the thermostat’s wires and terminals. Be sure to label each wire before disconnecting it, so that you can reconnect everything correctly later on.
To remove the thermostat from the wall, simply unscrew the mounting screws that are located on either side of the base. Once the screws are removed, the thermostat can be carefully lifted off the wall.
| 1. Power down the thermostat |
| 2. Locate the notch or indentation on the faceplate |
| 3. Carefully pry upwards with your fingernail or a thin object |
| 4. Continue prying until the faceplate is completely detached |
Disconnecting the Wires
1. Turn off the power to your Nest thermostat at the breaker. This will prevent any electrical shock while you are working.
2. Carefully remove the faceplate of your Nest thermostat. To do this, gently pry the faceplate off with a flat-head screwdriver or a similar tool. Be careful not to damage the faceplate or the thermostat itself.
3. Once the faceplate is removed, you will see the wires that are connected to your Nest thermostat. These wires are typically color-coded, with red wires indicating power, green wires indicating ground, and yellow wires indicating heat.
4. Use a small screwdriver to loosen the screws that are holding the wires in place. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws, as this could damage the wires.
5. Once the screws are loose, gently pull the wires out of the terminals. Be careful not to pull too hard, as this could damage the wires or the thermostat.
6. Once all of the wires are disconnected, you can carefully remove your Nest thermostat from the wall.
**Here is a table that summarizes the steps for disconnecting the wires from your Nest thermostat:**
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Turn off the power to your Nest thermostat at the breaker. |
| 2 | Carefully remove the faceplate of your Nest thermostat. |
| 3 | Locate the wires that are connected to your Nest thermostat. |
| 4 | Use a small screwdriver to loosen the screws that are holding the wires in place. |
| 5 | Gently pull the wires out of the terminals. |
| 6 | Carefully remove your Nest thermostat from the wall. |
Detaching the Base Plate
Once the Nest thermostat has been fully detached from the wall, you need to proceed to separate its base plate from the sub-base by following these detailed steps.
Locate the Release Button
The first step is to identify the release button on the base plate. This button is typically located on the bottom or side of the plate and may be labeled with a symbol or the word “release.” Find this release button and gently press on it.
Detach the Base Plate
Once the release button has been pressed, carefully lift the base plate upwards, away from the sub-base. The base plate should come off easily with minimal force. Be sure to hold onto both the base plate and the sub-base to prevent them from falling or getting damaged.
Disconnect the Wires
After the base plate has been removed, you will see several wires connected to the sub-base. These wires are typically color-coded and may be labeled for easy identification. Before disconnecting the wires, take a picture of the wiring configuration for reference later when reconnecting the thermostat.
To disconnect the wires, gently pull them straight out of the corresponding terminals on the sub-base. Do not pull on the wires themselves, but rather on the plastic connectors at the end of the wires.
| Color | Function |
|---|---|
| Red | Power (24V) |
| Green | Fan |
| Yellow | Heating (stage 1) |
| White | Heating (stage 2) |
| Blue | Cooling (stage 1) |
| Orange | Cooling (stage 2) |
Identifying the Type of Wall Plate
Before removing your Nest thermostat from the wall, it’s crucial to identify the type of wall plate you have. Different models of Nest thermostats may require different wall plates. Follow these steps to determine the type of wall plate you have:
- Remove the faceplate: Gently pull the faceplate of your Nest thermostat away from the wall plate.
- Check the back of the faceplate: Examine the back of the faceplate for any markings or labels that indicate the wall plate type.
- Inspect the wall plate: Look for physical characteristics on the wall plate itself that may indicate the type, such as the shape, size, and number of holes or slots.
- Refer to the Nest user manual: If you cannot identify the wall plate type by inspection, consult your Nest thermostat’s user manual, which may provide specific instructions for different wall plate types.
- Turn off the power to the thermostat. This can be done by flipping the circuit breaker or removing the fuse that supplies power to the thermostat.
- Remove the faceplate of the thermostat. This is usually done by gently pulling on the faceplate until it pops off.
- Unscrew the two screws that hold the wall plate in place. These screws are typically located at the top and bottom of the wall plate.
- Pull the wall plate straight off the wall. Be careful not to damage the wires that are connected to the thermostat.
- Disconnect the wires from the thermostat. The wires are typically connected to the thermostat using screw terminals. To disconnect the wires, simply loosen the screws and pull the wires off the terminals. Be sure to note which wire is connected to which terminal so that you can reconnect them correctly when you install the new thermostat.
- Make sure that the wires are securely connected to the thermostat. If the wires are not connected properly, the thermostat will not work properly.
- Use a wire nut to connect the wires together. This will help to prevent the wires from coming loose.
- Test the thermostat to make sure that it is working properly. To do this, turn on the thermostat and set the temperature. The thermostat should turn on the heating or cooling system to reach the desired temperature.
- Gently pull the faceplate straight toward you to detach it from the base.
- Align the new faceplate with the base and gently snap it into place.
- Ensure that the faceplate is securely attached and sits flush against the base.
- Handle the faceplate with care to avoid damaging the sensors or display.
- If the faceplate is stuck or difficult to remove, apply gentle pressure and wiggle it slightly to loosen it.
- Make sure the new faceplate is the correct size and color for your Nest thermostat model.
- Once the faceplate is replaced, check if the thermostat is functioning properly by adjusting the temperature and observing the display.
- If you experience any issues with replacing the faceplate, refer to the Nest support website or contact Nest customer support for assistance.
- Turn off the power to the thermostat at the breaker or fuse box.
- Remove the faceplate of the thermostat by gently pulling it straight towards you.
- Locate the two screws that are holding the thermostat to the wall plate. Remove these screws.
- Gently pull the thermostat straight off the wall plate.
- Press the ring on the front of the thermostat to wake it up.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap on the Settings icon.
- Scroll down and tap on Reset.
- Tap on Factory reset.
- Enter your thermostat’s PIN.
- Tap on Reset.
- Turn off the power to the thermostat at the breaker or fuse box.
- Remove the faceplate of the thermostat by gently pulling it straight towards you.
- Locate the two AA batteries that are located on the back of the thermostat. Remove the batteries by gently pulling them out.
- Insert two new AA batteries into the thermostat, making sure that the positive and negative terminals are aligned correctly.
- Reattach the faceplate to the thermostat.
- Turn the power back on at the breaker or fuse box.
Most Nest thermostats are compatible with multiple types of wall plates, including the following:
| Wall Plate Type | Compatible Nest Thermostats |
|---|---|
| Round Wall Plate | Nest Learning Thermostat, Nest Thermostat E, Nest Thermostat |
| Square Wall Plate | Nest Thermostat E, Nest Thermostat |
Removing the Old Wall Plate
To remove the old wall plate, follow these steps:
| Wire Color | Terminal |
|---|---|
| Red | R |
| White | W |
| Green | G |
| Yellow | Y |
Installing the New Wall Plate
Once the old wall plate is removed, it’s time to install the new one. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Remove the old wires from the terminal screws.
Using a screwdriver, gently unscrew the terminal screws and remove the wires from them. Note the position of each wire so you can reconnect them properly later.
2. Connect the wires to the new wall plate.
Match the wires to the corresponding terminals on the new wall plate and insert them into the screw terminals. Tighten the screws to secure the wires.
The terminals are usually color-coded to make it easier to identify where each wire goes. Here’s a common color-coding scheme:
| Color | Wire |
|---|---|
| Red | Power (R) |
| White | Common (C) |
| Yellow | Heat (W) |
| Blue | Cool (Y) |
| Brown | Fan (G) |
3. Mount the new wall plate to the wall.
Align the new wall plate over the mounting bracket and press it firmly into place. Ensure that it snaps securely into position.
4. Screw in the mounting screws.
Use the provided screws to secure the wall plate to the mounting bracket. Tighten the screws until they are snug but avoid overtightening.
5. Connect the thermostat to the wall plate.
Align the thermostat with the wall plate and press it firmly into place. The thermostat should snap securely onto the wall plate.
6. Test the thermostat.
Turn on the power and check if the thermostat is functioning properly. Adjust the temperature and fan settings to make sure it responds as expected. If there are any issues, recheck the wiring and connections until you resolve them.
Step 1: Unmount the Thermostat
Gently pull the thermostat away from the base plate. It should come off easily, but if it doesn’t, use a flathead screwdriver to carefully pry it loose.
Step 2: Remove the Wires
Once the thermostat is detached, you’ll see several wires attached to the base plate. Note the position of each wire and carefully disconnect them.
Step 3: Unscrew the Base Plate
Locate the two screws that hold the base plate in place. Use a screwdriver to unscrew them.
Step 4: Pull the Base Plate Away
Once the screws are removed, carefully pull the base plate away from the wall. It may be attached with adhesive, so use a gentle prying motion if necessary.
Step 5: Reattach the Wires
Reconnect the wires to the base plate, ensuring that they are securely fastened.
Step 6: Mount the Base Plate
Place the base plate back against the wall and screw it into place. Make sure it is level and firmly attached.
Step 7: Reattach the Thermostat
Slide the thermostat back onto the base plate until it clicks into place. The thermostat should now be securely mounted on the wall.
Reattaching the Base Plate
To reattach the base plate, follow these steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Remove the two screws that hold the base plate in place. |
| 2 | Carefully pull the base plate away from the wall. |
| 3 | Reconnect the wires to the base plate. |
| 4 | Place the base plate back against the wall and screw it into place. |
Once the base plate is reattached, you can slide the thermostat back onto it until it clicks into place.
Reconnecting the Wires
Before you remove the thermostat from the wall, you need to disconnect the wires that are connected to it. To do this, use a small screwdriver to loosen the screws that hold the wires in place. Once the screws are loose, you can pull the wires out of the thermostat.
Be careful not to lose track of which wire goes where. You can use a piece of tape to label each wire before you disconnect it.
Once you have disconnected all of the wires, you can remove the thermostat from the wall. To do this, simply pull the thermostat straight off of the wall plate.
Here are some additional tips for reconnecting the wires to the thermostat:
| Wire Color | Terminal |
|---|---|
| Red | R |
| White | W |
| Green | G |
| Yellow | Y |
| Blue | C |
| Orange | O/B |
Replacing the Faceplate
The Nest thermostat faceplate is magnetically attached to the base, making it easy to remove and replace. To replace the faceplate, follow these steps:
Additional Notes for Replacing the Faceplate:
| Tool Required |
|---|
| None |
Please note that the steps for replacing the Nest thermostat faceplate may vary slightly depending on your specific model. Refer to the user manual or online documentation for your particular device for detailed instructions.
Turn Off Power at the Circuit Breaker
The first step is to turn off the power to the thermostat at the circuit breaker. This will prevent any electrical shock hazard while you are working on the thermostat.
Remove the Faceplate
The faceplate is the front cover of the thermostat that displays the temperature and other settings. To remove the faceplate, gently pull it straight towards you. It should come off easily.
Disconnect the Wires
Once the faceplate is removed, you will see the wires that are connected to the thermostat. These wires are typically color-coded, but if they are not, be sure to label them so that you can reconnect them correctly later on.
Remove the Mounting Plate
The mounting plate is the metal plate that is attached to the wall and holds the thermostat in place. To remove the mounting plate, unscrew the screws that are holding it in place.
Pull the Thermostat Straight Down
Once the mounting plate is removed, you can pull the thermostat straight down to remove it from the wall.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
The thermostat is not responding
If the thermostat is not responding, check to make sure that the power is turned on at the circuit breaker. If the power is on, try resetting the thermostat by pressing the reset button. If the thermostat still does not respond, it may need to be replaced.
The thermostat is displaying an error message
If the thermostat is displaying an error message, check the user manual to see what the error message means. The error message may provide instructions on how to fix the problem.
The thermostat is not heating or cooling properly
If the thermostat is not heating or cooling properly, check to make sure that the thermostat is set to the correct mode. The thermostat may also be in need of calibration. To calibrate the thermostat, follow the instructions in the user manual.
The thermostat is making a noise
If the thermostat is making a noise, it may be due to a loose wire or a faulty component. Check the wires to make sure that they are all connected securely. If the wires are all connected securely, the thermostat may need to be replaced.
The thermostat is not connecting to the Wi-Fi network
If the thermostat is not connecting to the Wi-Fi network, check to make sure that the Wi-Fi network is working properly. You can also try resetting the thermostat by pressing the reset button. If the thermostat still does not connect to the Wi-Fi network, it may need to be replaced.
How To Take A Nest Thermostat Off The Wall
To take a Nest thermostat off the wall, you’ll need to do the following:
Once the thermostat is off the wall, you can disconnect the wires from the back of the thermostat. Be sure to take note of which wire goes to which terminal, so that you can reconnect them correctly when you reattach the thermostat.
To reattach the thermostat, simply reverse the steps above. Be sure to tighten the screws that hold the thermostat to the wall plate, and turn the power back on at the breaker or fuse box.
