Wall Thermostat Installation Kit

Rinnai Wall Thermostat Installation Kit for Energy Saver Direct Vent Wall Furnaces

The Rinnai Wall Thermostat Installation Kit (model 204000045) connects any standard thermostat or Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostat to Rinnai Energy Saver Direct Vent Wall Furnaces (T Series). This kit enables remote temperature control and zone heating customization, replacing the built-in thermostat located on the furnace itself with a wall-mounted thermostat positioned where you actually measure room temperature. The kit allows homeowners to manage heat remotely via smart devices when paired with Wi-Fi thermostats, delivering optimum comfort, efficiency, and convenience.

Key Features & Benefits

• Universal Thermostat Compatibility: Connects to any standard thermostat or Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostat system. This flexibility lets you choose the thermostat interface you prefer, from basic dial controls to app-based smart home integration.
• Remote Heat Management: When linked to a Wi-Fi enabled thermostat, the kit allows homeowners to control heat remotely via smart devices. You can adjust temperature from anywhere, program heating schedules, and integrate the furnace into whole-home automation systems.
• Customizable Zone Heating: Enables homeowners to customize supplemental or zone heating to fit usage needs. You control exactly when and how much heat each space receives, improving comfort and reducing gas consumption.
• Optimized Temperature Sensing: Moves temperature control from the floor-adjacent built-in thermostat on the furnace to a wall-mounted location. This produces more accurate room temperature readings and more stable heating cycles, reducing the temperature swings caused by outdoor conditions affecting the furnace-mounted sensor.
• Simple Installation Process: Designed for straightforward installation in both new and existing Rinnai T Series wall furnace setups. The kit includes all necessary wiring components and an installation control board that mounts inside the furnace cabinet.
• Enhanced System Performance: Transforms the furnace from manual on-unit control to fully automated thermostat operation. The system cycles more efficiently, maintaining consistent temperature without constant manual adjustment.

Compatibility & Requirements

This kit is designed exclusively for Rinnai Energy Saver Direct Vent Wall Furnaces (T Series), including models EX38DT, EX38DTWP, and EX38CTP. The kit requires a 120V electrical outlet behind or near the wall furnace to power the included transformer. The kit does not include a thermostat; you supply any standard 24V heat-only thermostat or Wi-Fi smart thermostat compatible with heating systems. For thermostats requiring a common wire (C wire), the kit provides wiring terminals to support that connection.

Installation & Care

Installation involves mounting the control board inside the furnace cabinet, connecting the provided transformer to a 120V outlet, and wiring the thermostat using the included low-voltage wiring and connectors. The transformer is large and requires consideration of outlet placement behind the heater. Wiring the kit to thermostats requiring a common wire uses specific terminal assignments: the blue wire directly across from the black wire on the control board serves as the common terminal, while the opposite blue wire connects to the white transformer wire. The C wire for the thermostat connects to the same terminal as the black wire. Once installed, the kit requires no ongoing maintenance.

What's Included

• Installation control board
• 24V transformer with power cord
• Low-voltage thermostat wiring
• Wire connectors
• Installation instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Rinnai wall thermostat installation kit work with the EX38DT model? A: Yes, the Rinnai Wall Thermostat Installation Kit (204000045) is compatible with the EX38DT and other Rinnai Energy Saver Direct Vent Wall Furnaces in the T Series. The kit is specifically designed to connect standard or Wi-Fi thermostats to these furnace models, enabling wall-mounted temperature control.

Q: What thermostats are compatible with the Rinnai wall thermostat installation kit? A: The kit works with any standard thermostat or Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostat designed for heating systems. This includes basic non-programmable thermostats, programmable models, and Wi-Fi smart thermostats that integrate with home automation platforms. The kit provides 24V power and supports thermostats requiring a common wire connection.

Q: How do you wire the Rinnai wall thermostat kit for thermostats that need a common wire? A: The control board has two blue wires. The blue wire directly across from the black wire serves as the common terminal. Connect the C wire from your thermostat to the same terminal as the black wire. Connect the opposite blue wire to the white wire from the transformer using a wire nut. Pay attention to the orientation of the outlet and transformer shown in the installation diagram.

Q: Can you install the Rinnai wall thermostat kit on an existing furnace? A: Yes, the kit installs easily on existing Rinnai T Series wall furnaces. Installation involves mounting the control board inside the furnace cabinet and running thermostat wire to your chosen wall location. The kit includes all wiring components and connectors needed for retrofit installations.

Q: What electrical requirements does the Rinnai wall thermostat kit have? A: The kit requires a 120V electrical outlet to power the included transformer. The outlet should be located behind or near the wall furnace. The transformer is large, so plan outlet placement accordingly during installation. The transformer supplies 24V power to the thermostat.

Q: Does the Rinnai wall thermostat kit come with a thermostat? A: No, the kit does not include a thermostat. You supply any standard 24V heat-only thermostat or Wi-Fi smart thermostat. This allows you to choose the thermostat interface and features that best fit your needs, from basic manual control to full smart home integration.

Q: What comes in the Rinnai wall thermostat installation kit box? A: The kit includes an installation control board, a 24V transformer with power cord, low-voltage thermostat wiring, wire connectors, and installation instructions. You will need to provide your own thermostat and have a 120V outlet available near the furnace.

Q: Why use a wall-mounted thermostat instead of the built-in thermostat on the Rinnai furnace? A: A wall-mounted thermostat provides more accurate temperature sensing by measuring room temperature away from the floor and furnace cabinet. The built-in thermostat on the furnace sits close to the floor where temperatures vary based on outdoor conditions, causing room temperature swings of several degrees. A wall-mounted thermostat delivers more stable, consistent heating.

Q: Can you control a Rinnai wall furnace remotely with this kit? A: Yes, when you pair the kit with a Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostat, you can control the furnace remotely via smart devices. You can adjust temperature, set schedules, and manage zone heating from anywhere using the thermostat's app. The kit enables the furnace to integrate into smart home automation systems.

Q: Are the installation instructions for the Rinnai wall thermostat kit clear? A: Some users report the printed wiring instructions included with the kit are unclear, particularly for wiring thermostats that require a common wire. Rinnai technical support can provide clarified wiring diagrams. Several installation videos are available online from users who have completed the installation, which provide helpful visual guidance for wiring and control board placement.