We got a new HVAC system this summer. At the time, our installer insisted on us dumping our Nest Thermostat, as he believes everything connected to the internet is evil.

My wife has been unhappy with this since it's install, and has asked me to reinstall the Nest, so she can control the system from her phone. Quite frankly, I like the Nest as well, so doing this doesn't hurt my feels.

But, I don't know what these mean.... so I gotta get the wires in the right spot. The labels are a bit different, so it's not as stupid proof as I'd hoped. Can someone help me out here?

From what I read, the brown and black wires aren’t used on Nest. Apparently they are for outdoor temperature sensors that nest doesn’t need. But I’ve never done this job. For what it is worth, here is what YouTube says





You have a 3rd gen Nest Learning thermostat. There is a YouTube video posted by nest here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHKD-9uI24I

Here is a guy explaining the wiring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCNIko3iZIE



The only thing to consider is if the red wire goes to the Rc or the Rh terminal. That depends on the type of system you have. Based on your old thermostat it looks like your red should go to Rh


Here is some info on whether the R wire goes to RC or RH:

The placement of the R wire, also known as the power or 24-volt wire, depends on the specific HVAC system and thermostat setup. In most cases, the R wire is connected to either the RC (cooling) terminal or the RH (heating) terminal on the thermostat. However, there are factors to consider when determining the appropriate connection:
1. Single transformer system: If your HVAC system has a single transformer that provides power for both heating and cooling, the R wire is typically connected to the RH terminal. In this setup, the RH terminal powers both the heating and cooling functions of the thermostat.
2. Separate transformer system: Some HVAC systems have separate transformers for heating and cooling. In this case, the R wire should be connected to both the RH and RC terminals. The RC terminal is for cooling-specific functions, while the RH terminal is for heating-specific functions.
3. Heat-only systems: If you have a heat-only system, such as a furnace or boiler without central air conditioning, the R wire is connected to the RH terminal.
4. Heat pump systems: Heat pump systems can have different configurations depending on the specific model and setup. In most cases, the R wire is connected to the RC terminal, and a separate wire (typically labeled "C" for common) is connected to the RH terminal to provide a common 24-volt connection. However, it's important to consult the manufacturer's documentation or seek professional guidance to determine the correct wiring for your heat pump system.
It's important to note that the R wire is only one component of the thermostat wiring. Other wires, such as W, Y, G, and C, are responsible for controlling specific functions of the HVAC system. It's recommended to refer to the thermostat manufacturer's instructions or consult a qualified HVAC technician for proper wiring guidance based on your specific system and thermostat model.

To ensure safe and accurate wiring, following the manufacturer's instructions, consulting professional guidance, or seeking assistance from an HVAC technician when working with thermostat wiring is always recommended.

^ Arisaka knocks another one out of the park . . . .

Ray nailed it. The brown and black aren’t needed on the nest because it’s on wifi and gets weather reports for your area instead of relying on sensors.