How to install the Amazon Smart Thermostat

💡 Need to know

• Turn off power at the breaker before touching any wires—seriously.
• Take a photo and label every wire before removing the old thermostat.
• Make sure your system supports a C-wire—or plan to use an adapter.
• Need help along the way?
  Get 24/7 expert support for the tech you rely on.

With traditional thermostats, you have to get up, go to the thermostat, and manually adjust the settings to make a room warmer or cooler. Choosing a smart thermostat changes that.

The Amazon Smart Thermostat integrates with Alexa™ and lets you control your home’s heating and cooling from your connected devices. It even learns your habits and automatically adjusts temperature settings to suit your needs.

But before you can enjoy the benefits of a smart thermostat, you need to make sure it’s installed correctly. Asurion is here to help with setup and troubleshooting guides for all of your tech, from laptops to smart home devices. Follow this guide to install an Amazon Smart Thermostat, and keep in mind that some steps may vary slightly depending on your HVAC system.

Check HVAC compatibility and prepare for installation

Before you start installing, make sure the Amazon Smart Thermostat is compatible with your home system. Amazon has a compatibility checker on the product page that walks you through the process.

Part of preparing for a smart thermostat is turning off the power to your HVAC system at the breaker to reduce safety hazards during installation. After you do that, grab a screwdriver, then follow these steps to start your Amazon thermostat setup:

1. Take the faceplate off your existing thermostat.
2. Take a picture of the wires so you know where they go during installation. Don’t touch any exposed wire ends.
3. Remove the existing wires one at a time, and label them with the terminal they came from, using the provided stickers.
4. Don’t let the labeled wires fall back into the wall.
5. Unscrew the wall plate of the old thermostat and remove it from the wall.

Wire the Amazon Smart Thermostat

Check to make sure you have labeled wire for the C terminal. This will provide power from the HVAC system. If you don’t have one, you’ll need a C-wire adapter.

If you’re using an adapter, follow these steps to install an Amazon Smart Thermostat without a C-wire:

1. Purchase a compatible C-wire adapter.
2. On the thermostat side, connect the W or O/B wire to the W terminal.
3. Connect the G wire to the C terminal.
4. Connect the R or Rc wire to the R terminal.
5. Connect the Y or Y₁ wire to the K terminal.
6. On the HVAC control board, connect all the wires to their matching terminals.
7. Put the adapter near the control board.
8. Back at the thermostat, relabel the Y wire as K, and the G wire as C. Move these labels to the new, correct terminals.

Whether you’re using a C-wire or an adapter, use these steps to complete the Amazon thermostat wiring:

1. Remove the wall plate from your old thermostat.
2. Install the Amazon Smart Thermostat wall plate with the wires hanging through.
3. Connect each labeled wire to its matching terminal.
4. Check that the R terminal switch is in the up position.

Mount and turn on the thermostat

Close the wire cover, then press the Amazon Smart Thermostat faceplate gently over the mounted base. The faceplate should click into place.

Turn the power to your HVAC system back on at the breaker panel. Go back to the thermostat and make sure that the display is on. It should display the temperature or “Set.” If you don’t see anything on the display, turn the power back off and check the wiring again.

Complete setup in the Alexa app

The last part of installing your Amazon Smart Thermostat is connecting it to Alexa so it’s actually “smart.”

1. Open the Alexa app on your mobile device.
2. Select Devices > + symbol > Add Device.
3. Choose Thermostat.
4. Add Amazon as the brand of your thermostat.
5. Select Yes if you have already installed the thermostat on the wall.

The Alexa app will then walk you through connecting your thermostat to your home Wi-Fi network and to Alexa. Once you complete those steps, test it out with both heating and cooling to make sure everything works properly.

FAQ

Do I need a C-wire to install the Amazon Smart Thermostat?

Yes, the thermostat requires a C-wire for power. If your system doesn’t have one, you’ll need to install a compatible C-wire adapter.

What happens if I wire the thermostat incorrectly?

Incorrect wiring can prevent the thermostat from powering on or communicating with your HVAC system. Always turn off power at the breaker and double-check labeled wires before mounting.

Can I install the Amazon Smart Thermostat myself?

Many homeowners can install it themselves if their HVAC system is compatible. However, if you’re unsure about wiring or safety, consider hiring a professional.

Why isn’t my Amazon Smart Thermostat turning on?

Check that the breaker is back on, confirm the C-wire or adapter is properly connected, and verify the R terminal switch is in the correct position.