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In our industry, we are more and more seeing multistage equipment, furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps. Also just as common is IAQ (indoor air quality). When it comes to adding these upgrades, the need for controlling or staging these things can pose a bit of an obstacle. What if we don't have enough control wire in the wall to make all this happen? Luckily for us, we have options outside of wrestling with challenge of pulling new wires.
There is a whole line of Fast-Stat products that can help. The Fast-Stat 1000 adds an extra control wire to the existing wires. The Fast-Stat 3000 will add 2 wires to an existing system with two or more wires. The Fast-Stat 5000 will add 3 extra wires and a common if needed. The Fast-Stat 7000 and the Fast-Stat 9000 are typically used when upgrading the air conditioner to an air source heat pump with 2-4 wires available.
Honeywell has a couple of options for us as well. Honeywell offers the Redlink line of thermostats that communicate to an interface module, which is wired to the equipment. The Vision Pro 8000 Redlink can be hardwired with 2 wires, or can run on battery power, to communicate to the interface module THM5421R1021 installed at the indoor unit. The Prestige IAQ Redlink is another option that connects with just 2 wires, and communicates wirelessly to an equipment interface. There is also the Focus Pro 6000 Redlink series thermostat that will wirelessly communicate with a THM5320R1000 module. All of these Redlink thermostats will connect wirelessly to a HZ series Redlink zone panel by adding a THM4000R1000 if zoning is needed. They will also work with other Redlink accessories like room sensors, and internet gateway.
The Tekmar Invita thermostat is another option. The Tekmar Invita kit uses two wires and also communicates to an equipment interface module wirelessly. It also has mutli stage function and accessory control.
Pro1 Iaq also offers a wireless option with the T955WH and the Z955W. These can be battery or 2wire hard wire power.
So in summary:
Overview
As HVAC systems increasingly feature multistage equipment (furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps) and IAQ solutions, wiring limitations can pose challenges when upgrading or adding new controls. Fortunately, several products can expand control capabilities without the need for pulling new wires.
Fast-Stat Solutions
Fast-Stat offers a range of products designed to expand control wiring capacity:
- Fast-Stat 1000 – Adds one extra wire to existing wiring.
- Fast-Stat 3000 – Adds two extra wires for systems with two or more wires.
- Fast-Stat 5000 – Adds three extra wires plus a common if needed.
- Fast-Stat 7000/9000 – Ideal for upgrading from an air conditioner to a heat pump with 2-4 wires available.
Honeywell Redlink Solutions
Honeywell’s Redlink line offers flexible wireless solutions for systems with limited wiring:
- Vision Pro 8000 Redlink – Can be powered by:
- 2-wire hardwired connection or
- Battery power to communicate with the interface module (THM5421R1021) installed at the indoor unit.
- Prestige IAQ Redlink – Uses 2 wires and communicates wirelessly with an equipment interface module.
- Focus Pro 6000 Redlink – Communicates wirelessly with the THM5320R1000 module.
- HZ Series Redlink Zone Panel – Connects wirelessly to Redlink thermostats via the THM4000R1000 adapter (for zoning applications).
- Redlink systems are compatible with accessories like room sensors and the Redlink Internet Gateway.
Tekmar Invita Solution
- The Tekmar Invita thermostat kit uses two wires and communicates wirelessly to an equipment interface module.
- Offers multistage functionality and accessory control for enhanced system management.
Pro1 IAQ Solutions
- The T955WH and Z955W thermostats provide wireless control with the option for:
- Battery power or
- 2-wire hardwired power for flexible installation.
Conclusion
When faced with limited control wiring, these solutions provide effective alternatives to running new wires. By leveraging Fast-Stat, Honeywell Redlink, Tekmar Invita, or Pro1 IAQ products, technicians can efficiently upgrade or expand HVAC control systems with minimal disruption.
