White Rodgers 1f81-51 User Manual

2

1. Shut off electricity at the main fuse box until installation is

complete. Ensure that electrical power is disconnected.

2. Remove the front cover of the old thermostat. With wires

still attached, remove wall plate from the wall. If the old
thermostat has a wall mounting plate, remove the thermostat
and the wall mounting plate as an assembly.

3. Identify each wire attached to the old thermostat using the

4. Disconnect the wires from old thermostat one at a time. DO

5. Install new thermostat using the following procedures.

1. Remove the packing material from the thermostat.

2. This thermostat is configured from the factory to operate a

heat/cool, fossil fuel (gas, oil, etc.), forced air system with up
to 2 stages of heat and 2 stages of cool. It is configured
correctly for any system that DOES NOT require the thermo-
stat to energize the fan on a call for heat.

If your system is an electric heat or heat-pump system that
REQUIRES the thermostat to turn on the fan on a call for
heat, locate the GAS/ELECTRIC switch on the back of the
thermostat (see fig. 1) and switch it to the ELECTRIC
position. This will allow the thermostat to energize the fan
immediately on a call for heat. If you are unsure if the heating/
cooling system requires the thermostat to control the fan,
contact a qualified heating and air conditioning service
person.

3. Two jumpers are also located on the back of the thermostat,

so that you may customize the thermostat to meet your
individual preference (see fig. 1). In most applications, the
factory jumper settings provide the most comfortable and
convenient thermostat operation.

Jumper wire W901 determines how fast the system cycles
on and off, based on temperature change. As shipped from
the factory, the thermostat will maintain a very consistent
room temperature, usually within 1

°

F of the thermostat

setting. To achieve a slower on and off cycle, providing a
slightly wider temperature span, cut and separate jumper
wire W901.

Jumper wire W903 controls the Energy Management Recov-
ery (EMR) feature. EMR allows the thermostat to energize
the heating system up to 30 minutes 

before the time pro-

grammed into the thermostat. The thermostat will then
energize the system to gradually raise the temperature to
your programmed temperature by using the most efficient
stage of heat practical.

For example, assume that the thermostat is programmed
overnight to 66

°

F and the room temperature is 66

°

. If the next

program is 7 AM, 70

°

F (an increase of 4

°

), the thermostat will

start the system 30 minutes before 7 AM. If the temperature
is in the room is within 2

°

F of your next programmed

temperature, the thermostat will not start the system early.

DO NOT clip jumper wire W903 unless you wish to perma-
nently disable the EMR feature.

If LOW BATTERY is displayed, the batteries are low and
should be replaced with fresh “AA” Energizer

®  

alkaline

batteries. To replace batteries, install the batteries along the
top of the base (see fig. 2). The batteries must be installed
with the positive (+) ends to the left.

1. Gently remove the cover by pulling it straight off the base.

Forcing or prying on the unit may cause damage to the unit.

2. Remove the battery tab. With the batteries installed, the

Armchair Programming feature allows you to program the
thermostat before installing it on the wall.

3. Pull wires through the hole in the thermostat base and place

the base over the hole in the wall. Mark mounting hole
locations on the wall using the base as a template.

4. Move the base out of the way. Drill mounting holes.

5. Fasten the base loosely to the wall, as shown in fig. 2, using

two mounting screws. Place a level against the bottom of the
base, adjust until level, and then tighten the screws. (Level-
ing is for appearance only and will not affect thermostat
operation.) If you are using existing mounting holes, or if the
holes drilled are too large and do not allow you to tighten the
base snugly, use plastic screw anchors to secure the base.

6. Check that the SYSTEM switch is in the OFF position.

Connect the wires beneath the terminal screws on the base
using the appropriate wiring diagram (see figs. 3 through 5).

7. Push excess wire into wall and plug hole with a fire-resistant

material (such as fiberglass insulation) to prevent drafts from
affecting thermostat operation.

(Instructions continue on page 4.)

W903
CUT TO
DEFEAT EMR

W901
CUT FOR
LONGER CYCLES

GAS  ELECTRIC

Mounting

holes

Reset

button

Screw anchors

Alkaline batteries (3 “AA”–

install “+” ends to the left)

C

G

R

Y

Y2

W

W2