How To Program A Ritetemp Thermostat (Quickly & Easily!)
These days, most of us are looking for a way to save on energy consumption. This is partially due to a shift towards energy responsibility. Then again, it is probably just as much about the cost involved as anything else.
Ritetemp thermostats are rated by EnergyStar and even recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for being energy efficient. Programming one of these thermostats is fairly easy, too. You can select from heat or cool, toggle between different temperature settings in a desired time slot, and even create a custom program.
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Understanding the Ritetemp Thermostat Design
The good news is that, for the most part, RiteTemp thermostats are all the same design. So, if you have an affinity for RiteTemp thermostats, you can feel comfortable switching to one of the newest models without missing a beat.
On the very front of the thermostat, you should see a screen that displays the current room temperature. There will be a mode switch so that you can choose between “cool” and “heat, and a fan switch as well. Lastly, there are buttons that allow you to raise or lower the temperature accordingly. Some of the later models will have a touch screen function but largely the same controls.
Step 1: Setting the Clock
It is important that you first set the clock on your thermostat. If you want to schedule heating or cooling schedules, it is important that the time be accurate. Otherwise, you will have the heat or air going off at times when you don’t want them to.
- Set clock. First, press the “set clock” button a single time. That will set the proper day of the week.
- Time. When you have input the proper date, it is time to press the left arrow or right arrow “time” button in order to select the day.
- Setting the time. Finally, use the same “time” arrow buttons to set the appropriate time. When you have the right week, day, and time, you can move on to other programmable settings.
Step 2: Pre-programmed Options
The great thing about RiteTemp thermostats is that they have a pre-programmed option or customizable settings depending on your personal preferences. The pre-programmed mode lets you simply flip a switch and go.
To begin the pre-programmed option (which is EnergyStar approved), all you have to do is hit the appropriate mode switch. You can choose from either “cool” or “heat” depending on the time of year to get the option that you want.
Step 3: Picking a Temperature
We don’t always want to set a program or schedule a time. When the temperature in our home is either too cool or warm, it can be as simple as pushing the buttons to change the temperature to the appropriate setting.
All you need to do is toggle the +/- buttons until you get to the temperature that you want. You can use the +/- buttons to either set a temperature for a specific time slot or can toggle the temperature as you desire.
Step 4: Setting a Custom ProgramYou can, of course, set a custom program to a desired temperature at a desired time. The process requires just a few button taps and you can create a temperature setting that meets your specific needs.
- Program. Start by pressing the program button. This will take you to the next screen where you will press the “day” button. On this screen, you choose what day you want to set the program for.
- Next. With the appropriate day selected, press the “next” button. By doing so, you select the time slot that you want associated with that specific program. You can set morning (“Morn”), daytime (“Day”), evening (“Even”), and night (“Nite”).
- Change the time. To change the time, all you need to do is use the aforementioned “Time” arrow buttons. Left moves time backward, right moves it forward.
- Next slot. When you are finished, press the “next” button to show the settings for the next slot. You can create new temperatures or times accordingly. Press “Day” to look at the programs and set them for each day if you choose.
- Copy. If you want to have the same custom setting over each day, you can copy a current program. Just press “copy”, then the “day” button to select which day you want to copy from. If you want to cancel, press the “home” button to go back.
By setting a custom program, you can get the temperature that makes you most comfortable. Even better, you can set it and forget it, knowing that it will run at the specific time of day that you choose.
How Do I Reset My RiteTemp Thermostat?
It is important to know that there is technically no “reset” function on RiteTemp thermostats. There is, however, a factory default setting. These are known as the EPA settings on your RiteTemp thermostat controls.
The factory reset will overwrite the current settings, returning it back to the original settings. That allows you to change the settings again from scratch. It is also a good idea to perform this function if the thermostat is no longer responsive.
Installing A RiteTemp Thermostat
The great thing about a thermostat is that you can buy a new one and install it with relative ease. So, getting the thermostat that you want and getting it set up doesn’t require a certified installer to get the job done.
- Turn off the power. Always start by turning the power off to what you are working on. Turn the power off to the furnace and air conditioner. It is better to be safe rather than be sorry. Flipping the breaker is the easiest way to do this.
- Take off the face of the old thermostat. With the power off, take the face off of the old thermostat. This will give you a visual of the underlying wires and what you can come to expect from installing the new one. Make sure that you take pictures of the wires so that you understand how they are set up.
- Disconnect. Now that you know how they are placed you can safely disconnect the wiring from the old thermostat. When you are finished, take the old mount off as well.
- New thermostat. The old thermostat now removed; you can put the new thermostat into the wall mount. Connect the wires accordingly (refer to your picture if you need to) and then screw the new faceplate mount into the wall. Finish up by attaching the face and testing out the thermostat.
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Why is My RiteTemp Thermostat Not Working?
RiteTemp thermostats have proven to be a reliable favorite of homeowners everywhere. But just like any other piece of equipment, they can break down from time to time. Sometimes, the problem is small and correctable. Other times, it requires the replacement of the unit.
It is important to understand how to troubleshoot your RiteTemp thermostat. Being able to find the problem provides the opportunity for a correction. Even if you can’t figure it out, you can relay the proper information to the repairman should you have to call one in.
Troubleshooting Your RiteTemp Thermostat
Thankfully, troubleshooting the issue is a relatively quick and easy process. Follow these steps and you will be able to figure out the problem in short order and work towards implementing a quick fix. There are quite common solutions at play that may seem obvious. That’s because they are. The simplest solution is often the right one.
How to Troubleshoot Your RiteTemp Thermostat
- If you have a remote. Some RiteTemp thermostats will come with a remote control for greater convenience. Check to ensure that both the thermostat and the remote control are set to the same channel if the remote isn’t working properly. Try a few different channels; some work better than others.
- Check the batteries. It may sound simplistic, but the batteries are oftentimes’ the reason that something doesn’t work. Try replacing the batteries first and foremost. If the thermostat still isn’t responding properly, you can move on to other potential solutions.
- Check the mode setting. Next, look at the display. It should either say “heat” or “cool”. Try changing the mode setting to the “off” position and the fan to the “auto” setting. If the system doesn’t turn off, there may be a wiring issue at play preventing it from working properly.
- Wait a bit. Sometimes the temperature can be off if the thermostat picked up heat from its last use. If you think that the reading isn’t quite right and maybe a bit higher than normal, it could have picked up heat from being touched. Give it a while – it could take a few hours – before trying again. You may then have to get the unit calibrated.
- Check for interference. Though it is a rare occurrence, there could be interference at play from another device in your home. Should the thermostat set itself back to default, there could be RF interference from an electric air cleaner, furnace, or some other device. Get a device, called a ferrite choke, that blocks the interference.
Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan.
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