The ZEN thermostat is designed to be installed by DIY customers and HVAC installers. The ZEN online installation guide (www.zenthermostat.com/install) should be the first point of call for any installation. It provides step-by-step instructions for installing and configuring ZEN, which are customized to the specific wiring configuration of the user.
Complex or Unusual Installations
The ZEN Online Installation Guide works for over 90% of install situations. However, if a wiring combination is not recognized, the user is notified.
The next steps are:
Precautions and Safety As with all electrical equipment, the first step in the installation should be to turn off the main breaker. The ZEN thermostat works on low voltage systems rated at 24 volts, with a maximum current rating of 2A per relay. This is the common voltage for most furnaces, heat pumps and air conditioning systems. ZEN will not work on line voltage systems of 110 volts or higher. These systems are typically European systems or electric baseboard systems. If the wiring is installed in a junction box, it is also likely to be 110V or higher. Usually, these systems will have thick black, white or red wires connected with wire nuts on the thermostat. If the HVAC system is not compatible with ZEN, please return ZEN to the place of purchase.
Removing the existing thermostat main display
Most thermostats allow you to remove the main unit and provide access to a wall plate which holds the wiring terminals. Removing the existing thermostat differs between models. It usually requires:
There is no single standard for wire colours and thermostat connections. However, most thermostats have terminal blocks with wire labels. The way in which the old thermostat is wired and labelled is one of the best guides for how to wire up the ZEN thermostat. Correctly identifying the wires that exist ensures that all the functions of your heating and cooling system will be able to be controlled by the ZEN thermostat.
If you are unsure or your wire terminals are unlabelled, tracing the wires back to the HVAC system is the best way to determine what each wire does. ZEN provides wire labels in the package, which should be used to label the wire before they are removed from the old thermostat terminals.
The basic connectors for a home thermostat can be found in the table below
Terminal | Description | Alternate Labeling |
R | Power side of 24V transformer | V |
Display | Power side of 24V heating switch | 4 |
Rc | Power side of 24V cooling switch | |
C | Common side of 24V | 24C, 24 |
Y | Switched power for cooling | Y1 |
W | Switched power for heating | W1 |
G | Switched power for fan | |
Y2 | Switched power for second stage cooling | |
W2 | Switched power for second stage heating | |
E | Emergency heat enable | AUX |
O/B | Reversing valve activation | O, B |
Link Removal and Insertion
Many thermostats use links to connect common circuits together. ZEN does not require the re-use of old links. It comes complete with 2 links, which are located on the rear of the main unit. The links can be removed by pulling gently and inserted by pushing them into place. Configuration of the links is determined based on the information entered into the online install guide. The function of each link configuration is shown below
Link 1 and Link 2
Link 1 Only
Link 2 Only
No Links
The ZEN wallplate should be mounted so that the bundle of wires comes out through the centre of the wallplate.
Attaching the Main Display
ZEN requires 4 AA batteries to operate the main display, even when a C-wire is connected. If a C-wire is available, the batteries are only used when the unit is off the wall and will last indefinitely. If no C-wire is present, the batteries will last for 2 years under typical use conditions. The main display attaches to the wall plate by magnets located at each corner. Once located, the electrical connection is made between the terminals on the wall plate and the main display.
ZEN uses a configuration code to set the important working parameters required by a thermostat. These include the type and number of heating and cooling stages. A detailed description of the ZEN configuration codes is given in the following section. When first installed, ZEN does not have any configuration set. The display will show “ZEN” until the CONFIG button is pressed and configuration is entered.
ZEN uses a configuration code to set the important working parameters required by a thermostat. These include the type and number of heating and cooling stages. Basic configuration is suitable for most installations and is highly recommended for DIY installs. Basic configuration allows the user to enter a 3-digit code which provides all the information required to configure the thermostat. The first step in setting the basic configuration is to remove ZEN from the wall, turn it over so the rear of the display is accessible, then press the CONFIG button once.
ZEN Basic Configuration Code
The ZEN online installation guide automatically determines the required configuration code based on the following items entered by the user:
The configuration code is a 3 digit alpha-numeric code. Each digit has a distinct function: The possible values for each digit, and their meaning, are shown on the following page
Changing the Basic Configuration
Effect on User Interface
The ZEN thermostat user interface automatically adjusts to only show the heating and cooling options that are available in the configuration. As an example, if the configuration is set to 10A (1 stage heating, no cooling, no fan control), then the user will be able to select Heating mode but not Cooling or Fan Control mode. If the configuration is set to 31P (heat pump heating and cooling with emergency heat and fan control), then the user will be able to select Heating, Cooling, Emergency Heat and Fan Control mode.
Heating Type
The most important heating control parameter that is affected by the heating type is the maximum cycles per hour (CPH) that is used for each heating type. In particular, heat pump systems require fewer cycles per hour to ensure that the compressor is not cycled too often which can cause it to lock up.
Digit | Heating Type | Cycles per Hour |
0 | No heating | N/A |
1 | Single Stage, Fuel (Gas or Oil) | 6 |
2 | Single Stage, Electric | 12 |
3 | Single Stage, Heatpump | 3 |
4 | Single Stage, Hydronic | 3 |
5 | Not used | N/A |
6 | 2 Stage, Fuel (Gas or Oil) | 6 |
7 | 2 Stage, Electric | 12 |
8 | 2 Stage, Heatpump | 3 |
9 | 2 Stage, Hydronic | 3 |
Cooling Type
Digit | Heating Type | Cycles per Hour |
0 | No cooling | N/A |
1 | Single Stage, Heatpump, Evaporative or Hydronic | 3 |
2 | Not used | N/A |
3 | Not used | N/A |
4 | Not used | N/A |
5 | Not used | N/A |
6 | 2 Stage, Heatpump, Evaporative or Hydronic | 3 |
7 | Not used | N/A |
8 | Not used | N/A |
9 | 2 Stage, Hydronic | N/A |
Heatpump and Fan Options
Digit | Fan Control | Has Emergency Heating? | Switching changeover valve cools | Has a change- over valve |
A | N | N | N | N |
B | Y | N | N | N |
C | N | Y | N | N |
D | Y | Y | N | N |
E | N | N | Y | N |
F | Y | N | Y | N |
G | N | Y | Y | N |
H | Y | Y | Y | N |
I | N | N | N | Y |
J | Y | N | N | Y |
K | N | Y | N | Y |
L | Y | Y | N | Y |
M | N | N | Y | Y |
N | Y | N | Y | Y |
O | N | Y | Y | Y |
P | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Advanced configuration allows a professional HVAC installer to set more detailed system parameters. The first step in setting the advanced configuration is to remove ZEN from the wall, turn it over so the rear of the display is accessible, then press the CONFIG button 5 times
Changing the Advanced Settings
Once in advanced settings mode:
Advanced Settings Using the Online Installation Guide
Resetting the Advanced Settings
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