Adding second thermostat

[jessem]

getting ready to add 2nd thermostat, I have been using my OWB with the forced air. Currently I have my outdoor unit (heat pump) breaker(s) in off position, letting the air handler cycle with the single thermostat

Any input would be appreciated before I have to trek into the darkness of the crawl space

 

[ewdudley]

Spent a while down there just last weekend, no fun. I dragged my stuff in a cloth shopping satchel, which worked pretty well. Field expedient "miner's hat" and communication gear really helped.

 

[DaBackBurner]

Field expedient 'miner's hat" and communication gear really helped.

LOL, love it ewd...us iron ore miners use the new-fangled-stretchy-over-the-hard-hat-LED kind now. We're moving up in 'da world. Just don't look at your co-worker directly though...daaannnggg they're bright.

 

[Tinder]

2nd thermostat? Why not a single thermostat with 2 stage heat?

 

[jessem]

can you use the stage two and still use central a/c??

 

[stee6043]

I persoanlly used the AC circuit on my first thermostat to wire in a second thermostat. I switch of the AC breaker in the winter and presto - second thermostat functionality with zero new wires running in the walls.

 

[jessem]

so tie into the a/c thermostat wires and leave the outdoor unit breaker off?

 

[stee6043]

Yes sir. Just that easy. Put a disconnect on the boiler side of the AC line so you aren't running any pumps in the summer.