Table of Contents

Thermostat Wiring Colors Code Page Navigation

1. Essential Thermostat Wiring Color Guide Including Manufacturers Instructions
2. Thermostat Terminal Designations Quick Guide - Detail Wiring Color Guide Below
  - Red-Wire - connects to the R terminal with the red wire
  - RC-Wire - connects to the RC terminal RC red
  - RH-Wire - connects to RH terminal RH heat
  - Y-Wire - connects to the Y terminal and is for cooling stage 1 with the yellow wire
  - Y2-Wire - connects to Y2 terminal and is for cooling stage 2
  - W-Wire - connects to W terminal and for heat stage 1 with the white wire
  - W2-Wire - connects to W2 terminal and for heat stage 2
  - G-Wire - connects to G terminal and for fan operation with the green wire
  - C-Wire - connects to C terminal (common 24v power) with the C wire
  - O or B-Wire - connects to O or B terminal and is for reversing valve operation
  - E-Wire - connects to E terminal and is for Emergency heat
  - X or Aux-Wire - connects to X terminal and is for auxiliary
  - S1 and S2 Wires - connects to S1/S2 terminals and is for outdoor temperature sensor
3. Thermostat Wire Color Code Chart
4. Tracing the Wire to the Source
5. Additional Resources
What you will learn in the Thermostat Wiring Colors Code article:
1. First, what thermostat wire colors is likely to go to which terminal on the thermostat in your heating and cooling system
2. Secondly, the function of each wire terminal on the average thermostat highlighting some of the differences in those HVAC system functions from manufacturer to manufacturer as recommended for thermostat wire color

Sometimes, the thermostat is not the problem. Please check this article for a checklist of things to check before calling a heating and cooling repair service.

Thermostat Wiring Colors Code | HVAC Control

Always follow the thermostat manufacturer’s instructions whenever changing the thermostat. Always turn the power off at the air handler and the condenser and make sure there is no voltage at the transformer before proceeding.

Furthermore, the thermostat wire colors below are the most likely colors used for most installations; however, your thermostat wire colors may be different than what the indication is here. There is no official standard for thermostat wire colors. Additionally, thermostat wiring colors are not standardized. However, these are the most wiring methods used based on my years of experience in the HVAC field, where I successfully wired a lot of thermostats and as recommended by manufacturers and common sense for thermostat wiring colors code.

For instructions on how to wire a thermostat, please see how to wire a thermostat page. Refer back to this page for thermostat wire colors.

Thermostat Wiring Colors Code - High Performance HVAC Thermostat Terminal Designations

Before proceeding, we highly advise that you turn the power off at the circuit breaker. Furthermore, the power for both the condenser and the air handler/furnace. You may cause a dead short in the control circuit. Additionally, that could potentially cost you a service call for troubleshooting and repair.

Thermostat Wire Colors Code | HVAC Control

Thermostat Wiring and Wire Color Chart – Thermostat Wiring Colors Code
Tstat Terminal Designation	Color of Wire and Termination
R – The R terminal is the power. It is a red wire and comes from the transformer usually located in the air handler for split systems, but you may find the transformer in the condensing unit. For this reason, kill the power at the condenser and the air handler before changing or working on the wiring at the t-stat. Lastly, if you have a package unit, then the transformer is in the package unit.	Red Wire for the R terminal - *You should be aware that this may have changed, especially if the person who wired the thermostat didn’t use conventional color coding.
RC – The RC terminal is designated for the power for cooling. Some HVAC systems use two transformers. A transformer for cooling and a transformer for heating. In this case, the power from the transformer in the air conditioning system would go to the thermostat terminal. Furthermore, it should be noted that a jumper can be installed between RC and RH for a heating and cooling system equipped with a single transformer.	Red Wire for RC terminal. *Although be aware that this may have changed, especially if the person who wired the thermostat didn’t use conventional color coding.
RH – The RH terminal is designated for the power for heating. See RC above for an explanation. It should be noted that a jumper can be installed between RC and RH. Finally, this is only for heating and cooling systems equipped with a single transformer.	Red Wire for RH terminal. *Although be aware that this may have changed, especially if the person who wired the thermostat didn’t use conventional color coding.
Y – This is the terminal for cooling or air conditioning and goes to the compressor relay. Typically a thermostat wire pull is made to the air handler on split systems. This wire is then spliced for the separate wire pull which is made to the condenser. Furthermore, some manufacturers put a terminal board strip near the control board in the air handler. Therefore, a splice is not needed.	Yellow Wire for Y Terminal. *Although be aware that this may have changed, especially if the person who wired the thermostat didn’t use conventional color coding.
Y2 – This is the terminal for cooling second stage if your system is so equipped. Finally, many systems only have a single compressor but if you have two compressors (or a two stage compressor) which should only operate off of one thermostat then you need the Y2 thermostat terminal for second stage cooling.	*The most common color I’ve seen used for this terminal and wire designation is light blue, but this varies and is entirely up to the installer what color to use. Furthermore, for the thermostat, wiring colors code for this terminal (if equipped) consult with the installer. Finally, if that is not possible, then trace the wire out to the source.
W – This is the terminal for heating. This wire should go directly to the heating source whether it be a gas or oil furnace, electric furnace, or boiler or auxiliary heating for a heat pump.	White Wire for W Terminal. *You should be aware that this may have changed, especially if the person who wired the thermostat didn’t use conventional color coding.
W2 – This is the terminal used for second stage heat. There are gas furnaces with low fire and high fire and some depend on control from a two-stage heating thermostat with a W2 terminal. Heat Pumps use staging for auxiliary heat and need a W2 terminal.	*The most common color I’ve seen used for this terminal and wire designation is a brown wire, but this varies and is entirely up to the installer what color to use. Furthermore, for the thermostat, wiring colors code for this terminal (if equipped) consult with the installer or trace the wire out to the source.
G – This is the terminal used for the fan relay to energize the indoor blower fan. Furthermore, on a split system the blower fan is in the air handler. A package unit the blower fan is in the outdoor package unit.	Green Wire for G Terminal. The fan wire. Furthermore, *be aware that this may have changed, especially if the person who wired the thermostat didn’t use conventional color coding.
C – This is the terminal which originates from the transformer and is necessary to complete the 24 volts power circuit in the thermostat but only if the thermostat consumes electricity for power. Finally, many digital thermostats require 24 volts for power, so the common wire is necessary.	C stands for common, and there is no universal color used for this terminal, although black is the most common color I’ve seen. For the thermostat, wiring colors code for this terminal (if equipped) consult with the installer. Finally, if that is not possible, then trace the wire out to the source.
O or B – These terminals are for heat pumps and the B t-stat terminal is used on for Rheem or Ruud and any manufacturer that energizes the reversing valve in heating mode for the heat pump. Furthermore, other manufacturers of heat pumps utilize the reversing valve for cooling. The O thermostat terminal is for this purpose. This wire goes to the outside heat pump condenser, for reversing valve control. Finally, this is for heat pump thermostats.	Orange Wire for O and Dark Blue Wire for B, depending on the installer of the heat pump and the manufacturer. If you have a Trane, Carrier, Goodman, Lennox, Ducane, Heil, Fedders, Amana, Janitrol, or any other manufacturer other than Rheem or Ruud, you will be utilizing the orange wire for reversing valve. Lastly, Rheem and Ruud will usually use the blue wire for the reversing valve.
E – This terminal is for heat pumps and stands for Emergency Heating. Furthermore, if for whatever reason the heat pump condenser fails and it is necessary to run the heat there is an option on heat pump thermostats for emergency heating. The E terminal activates the back-up heat source.	E – There is no universal color used for this terminal designation, but this should be wired directly to the heating relay or the E terminal on a terminal stripboard in the air handler or package unit if you have a heat pump package unit.
X or Aux – This terminal is for back-up on a heat pump and allows for auxiliary heating from the back-up heat source usually located in the air handler.	X or Aux – There is no universal color used for this terminal designation. However, this should be wired directly to the heating relay or the Aux terminal on a terminal stripboard. It is terminated in the air handler or package unit if you have a heat pump package unit.
S1 & S2 or (Outdoor 1 and Outdoor 2) – Some tstats have this terminal. Furthermore, these are for an outdoor temperature sensor. Special shielded wire is used for this run and completely separate from the other thermostat wires. Finally, some manufacturers will show this the T terminals on their thermostat.	Using shielded wire prevents electromagnetic forces generated from other wires from interfering with the signal inside the shielded wire. A remote temperature sensor is a solid-state device. Furthermore, the signal needed to get an accurate temperature is sensitive to electromagnetic forces from another wire inside the structure. Finally, this type of wire is different from the typical thermostat wire and a separate wire altogether.

Thermostat Wiring Colors Code | HVAC Control - Table of wire colors along with explanations and exceptions. Standard Wiring Colors - or Standard Wire Color per Industry Norms

Wiring Color Chart for Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

Tracing a Wire to the Source

If you find the colors are not matching to the convention described here, you can always trace to the source. Furthermore, only if you are confident in your skills. Replacing an old thermostat with a new thermostat can be daunting so make sure to follow all thermostat wiring instructions. Lastly, follow the instructions on our How To Wire a Thermostat page for many great tips such as: Take a picture of the old thermostat wiring before you unwire it.

Remember, the wires coming from the thermostat are terminated in the HVAC equipment. Importantly, there is a high voltage inside the air handler, boiler, or other equipment where the wires terminate. Some HVAC system manufacturers provide a terminal strip board where the wiring is attached. Additionally, in different equipment, you will find a bundle of wires with wire nuts holding them together.

In either case, it is crucial to find the wiring diagram for the unit. Finally, this way, you can match up the appropriate wire color coming from the thermostat to what it controls in the equipment. The red wire should always come from the hot side of the 24-volt transformer. Additionally, the common (sometimes black) should come from the common side of the transformer.

Furthermore, the wire colors on the transformer will be different than the thermostat wires. If you do not know what you are doing, then please call a professional. Importantly, there are a few reasons for this:

First, as mentioned, there is high voltage in the equipment and can be hazardous to your health.
Lastly, if you wire it wrong or accidentally touch the wrong wires together, you can blow the transformer.

Furthermore, either reason can be harmful.

Additional Resources

Also, check our thermostat category for other detailed articles on thermostats. Additionally, it includes other detailed pages about the thermostat wiring color code.

Thermostat Wiring Colors Code

Resource: The Home Comfort Book: The ultimate guide to creating a comfortable, healthy, long lasting, and efficient home

108 Comments

← Older Comments

Siamak on October 31, 2020 at 6:50 am
Hi,
I have air forced Furnace that working with GAS .the first stage is heat pump (carrier 3k)
and the 2th stage is furnace.some body change compressor of heat pump and thermostat.
my system not working well.when in winter is very cold , it start with stage 1 and heat pump doesn’t warm the air there is no outdoor sensor.my questions are:
1- How can I add outdoor sensor ?Is it possible to use another method like intelligent thermostat?
2- Which thermostat is suitable for this system ,Model and Brand?
3- How wiring relay between Gas and Heat Pump?
Shane on September 11, 2020 at 4:07 pm
Hello,
I recently purchased a new Trane 4wcc4048 heat pump, i noticed on the roof they have the wires R,Y,G,C and O hooked up and i had them hook it up to my old t-stat, but i just bought a honeywell T9 t-stat and the manual says it needs a W wire, not a O…does this sound right?
the new heat pump has white wires but they are not terminated to anything…do you think i should move the O wire and make it the W wire?
I dont know if it matters but my old unit was a AC and Gas furnace combo.
Thanks in advance!
- High Performance HVAC on September 15, 2020 at 8:43 am
  No, for a heat pump the orange wire for the Trane should go to the O terminal. The instructions I see for that thermostat are vague for heat pumps. If necessary, call Honeywell’s support. I know it can be a hassle but their instructions should be clearer than what I found on their site for heat pumps.
  Without the O functionality, the system will not cool. It will provide heat but not AC.
Sam Counts on April 27, 2020 at 6:28 pm
Hopefully you can help me… I have a travel trailer I am trying to install a digital thermostat in… I have eight wires coming out of the wall…
Red, Black, Green,Yellow, Orange, White, Blue, Brown…
I cannot find where the Brown or the Black wires go to on the thermostat..
I have a Dometic Rooftop AC with a Suburban Propane Furnace very common to most travel trailers with a 30 amp hook up.
My thermostat pins look like this…
C Rh
O Rc
B G
W Y
- High Performance HVAC on April 27, 2020 at 7:03 pm
  Sorry, without the wiring schematic for this equipment I cannot help you. Perhaps one of our readers here can help you.