Thermostat Installation Cost

National average

$200 - $250

(digital thermostat plus labor)

Low: $50

(DIY - manual themostat)

High: $400 - $700

(electronic thermostat plus labor)

Cost cost to install a thermostat varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from electricians in your city.

How much does it cost cost to install a thermostat?

In an era with lots of technical advancements, many people are choosing to upgrade their thermostats to newer models. For this example, we'll look at the cost of installing a standard digital thermostat, which typically costs $200-$250 for a standard 2000 square foot home. Although you can hire a professional, many thermostats can be installed on your own.

Cost breakdown

Thermostat¹: the cost of the thermostat¹ itself varies greatly depending on the brand and features. The average manual thermostat¹ costs $25-$60, digital programmable thermostats¹ cost $90-$150, and electronic smart thermostats¹ cost $200-$300. Here are the five most common thermostat¹ brands:
- Honeywell: $175-$250.
- Nest: $250-$300.
- Sensi: $100-$150.
- Ecobee: $250-$300.
- Luxe: $100-$150.
Labor: Most electricians charge $65-$85 per hour and can install a new thermostat¹ in less than two hours, for a total labor cost of less than $170.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Many wireless smart thermostats¹ come with a remote for programming, but an additional remote can add around $200 to your total cost. You may also need to purchase a hub to connect the thermostat¹ with your wireless internet, which can add another $100-$200.

Additional considerations and costs

A built-in² on-unit thermostat¹ can be easier to install, which may lead to a lower overall cost, but a wall thermostat¹ tends to be more accurate.
The more expensive thermostats¹ can often break the home into different zones to automatically change the heat at different levels throughout the house. This is much more difficult to do with manual thermostats¹.
Most electronic smart thermostats¹ require a smartphone or tablet with the corresponding app installed to control the system remotely.
Digital and electronic thermostats¹ are the most energy efficient and can lead to energy savings in the long run.
Some electronic smart thermostats¹ can sync with your home security system or smoke detectors³, allowing you to monitor everything from the same app.
Most thermostats¹ are compatible with central heat or central air, but if you have a less common heating system, such as gas, oil or electric, you may need to double check that your new thermostat¹ will connect to the system.
Some thermostats¹ allow users to program the settings every day for a week, while others apply the same settings to every day, regardless of the day of the week. Make sure you know exactly how programmable your thermostat¹ is before you buy it.

Was this guide helpful to you?

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know.
See full cheat sheet.

¹ Thermostat: A device that senses and regulates temperature by turning heating and cooling devices on and off

² Built-in: An item of furniture, such as a bookcase or set of cabinets, that is built directly into the structure of the room. Built-ins are therefore customized to the room and not detachable

³ Detectors: Device that responds to a physical event or change in the environment by emitting an output signal

How much does it cost cost to install a thermostat in my city?

Cost cost to install a thermostat varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.