Alarm.com Smart Thermostat HD (ADC-T40K-HD) - Installation Guide

Installation precautions

Before installing the Smart Thermostat HD or servicing the HVAC equipment, turn off power to the system.
Leave power off until you have finished installing or servicing the HVAC equipment.
Shorting the electric terminals at the control on the heating or cooling system is not recommended. Do not test the system this way.
When testing the existing system or the new Smart Thermostat HD do not run the cooling system when it is cold outside as this may harm the compressor. Please wait for mild temperatures before testing the cooling system.
You must follow all local codes and ordinances for wiring the system.
The Smart Thermostat HD should only be powered by a listed Class 2 power supply at 24 VAC (C-wire or wall transformer).
A current higher than 1 amp to each thermostat terminal may cause damage to the thermostat.
Verify that the system is 24 VAC. If the old system is labeled as 120 V or 240 V or has wire nuts, the system is high voltage. Do NOT install this thermostat on a high voltage system. Contact a local HVAC professional for help.

Notice: Installation and maintenance servicing for this device should only be performed by qualified personnel.

In the box

❶ Trim plate

❷ Thermostat

❸ Display

❹ Drywall anchors x2

❺ Wall screws x2

Recommended tools

❶ Phillips screwdriver

❷ Pencil to mark mounting location

❸ Power drill – 3/16" (#13) drill bit

❹ Needle nose pliers

❺ Camera

Overview

Thermostat

❶ Status LED

❷ Reset Button

Display

❸ Settings menu

❹ Current setpoint

Note: To change the setpoint, tap on the up or down arrow.

❺ Indoor temperature

❻ Current mode

Note: To change the mode, tap on the current mode icon.

For more information about each component of the Smart Thermostat HD, see What are the components of the Smart Thermostat HD (ADC-T40K-HD)?.

Installation considerations

Power requirements

The Smart Thermostat HQ requires 24VAC power to operate. This is typically provided by the HVAC system transformer via the Common Wire (C-Wire).
Which R terminal the C-Wire comes from is different depending on your thermostat.
The thermostat consumes at most 0.3W.
A 40VA transformer is recommended for reliable power to the thermostat during HVAC operation.
It is preferred to use no more than two thermostats per transformer. This is equipment dependent.

Important: In dual power supply installations with two R wires (RH & RC), it is important to know which transformer the C-Wire is coming from. It must be the appropriate R wire for your thermostat model or the thermostat will not power on.

Determine which R terminal to use

Follow the guidance on the thermostat terminal sticker for which R to use. Insert the wiring in the open terminal. Only remove the sticker if both RH & RC will be wired.
- If the sticker is missing, check if USE RC FOR POWER is etched alongside the thermostat terminals:
  - If it is, use the RC terminal for R.
  - If it is not, use the RH terminal for R.
The thermostat will not power on if the wrong R terminal is used. Check that the LED in the top right corner is ON to confirm power.

Location

If replacing an existing thermostat, the new Smart Thermostat HD can be mounted in its place. If a new location is desired it will be necessary to move the wiring.
New installations and relocations should follow the accompanying guidelines to Verify the most accurate temperature reading and ease of use.
Mount on an inside wall, approximately 5 ft. (1.5 m) above the floor in a frequently used room.
Do not install in locations near appliances or devices that affect the local temperature such as televisions, lamps, or dryers.
Avoid areas that are exposed to large temperature variances, such as: direct sunlight, near an AC unit, above or below auxiliary heat and air vents, and drafts from windows or exterior doors.
Be aware of what is on the other side of the wall where the installation is occurring. Do not install on walls adjacent to unheated rooms, stoves, or housing hot water pipes. Exterior walls are also not ideal locations for installation.
Damp areas will not only affect the humidity reading but could lead to corrosion and shorten the lifespan of the thermostat.
Install in a location with good air circulation. Stagnant air will not accurately reflect the rate of temperature change in the room.
Avoid areas behind open doors, corners, and alcoves.
Wait until construction and painting are finished before installing.

Preparation

If you will add the Smart Thermostat HD to a Z-Wave network, power on the controller and verify it is communicating.

Note: If the Z-Wave network supports SmartStart, use the Partner MobileTech app to scan the QR code found on the Thermostat or the box.
Test the existing system.
- Verify that the heating and/or cooling system is operating properly before you try to install the new Smart Thermostat HD.
  
  Caution: Do not test the system by shorting electric terminals. Do not test the cooling system if it is cold outside, as this may harm the compressor.
Turn off power to the HVAC unit.
- Turn all heating and cooling systems off. This can be done at the circuit breaker.
  
  Caution: Do not remove the existing thermostat until power has been turned off at the circuit breaker.
Remove the existing thermostat.
1. Remove the cover from the existing thermostat. Do not disconnect the wires yet.
2. Verify the wires are identified correctly. If you have an unidentified wire, it may be necessary to identify where the wire connects to the heating or air conditioning equipment.
  
  Caution: Wiring can vary for each manufacturer. Identify all wiring designations before removing it from the existing thermostat.
3. Take a picture of the wires before you detach them from the existing thermostat for future reference.
4. After all wires are identified and a picture has been taken, disconnect all the wires and remove the existing thermostat. Remember to secure the wires so they do not fall into the wall.
Prep wires (if needed).
1. Verify the wires are a proper gauge between 16-24 AWG (1.3 – 0.5 mm).
2. Verify wires have exposed straight ends of the appropriate length.

Thermostat installation

Level and mount the Thermostat to the wall with the supplied hardware.
1. If additional support is necessary, drill holes with a 3/16’’ (#13) drill bit and tap in the drywall anchors.
2. If you need to cover up any marks or holes from the previous thermostat, mount the trim plate prior to securing the Thermostat to the wall.

Insert the wires into their designated wire terminals. See the table for details.

Insert wires into designated wire terminals.png

Important: In the case of a single R wire, follow the guidance on the thermostat terminal sticker for which R to use. If the sticker is removed, proceed to Determine which R terminal to use.

Only connect wires to the thermostat that will be used by the system. Inserting wires that are not connected to or used by the HVAC system could cause the Smart Thermostat HD to operate improperly.

Caution: Do not insert more than one wire into a wire terminal as this will damage the wire terminal. If you only have one R wire, there is no need to physically jump RH and RC. The Thermostat will internally jump the two terminals.

Terminal	Description
RC	Cooling power
RH	Heating power
W2	Heat/aux stage 2
W	Heat/aux stage 1
C	Common wire from transformer
Z1	Configurable: W3, humidifier, dehumidifier, vent
Z2	Configurable: W3, humidifier, dehumidifier, vent
Y	Cool/pump stage 1
Y2	Cool/pump stage 2
G	Fan
O	Heat pump reversing valve (Energized in COOL mode)
B	Heat pump reversing valve (Energized in HEAT mode)

After all wires are inserted into the wire terminals, restore power to the HVAC system.
- This will supply 24 VAC power to the Thermostat.
Check the Status LED, which will indicate the Thermostat has power.
1. If the Status LED is off, it indicates the Thermostat does not have 24 VAC power.
2. Visually verify the correct R terminal and the C terminal are securely inserted into the appropriately labeled terminals.
3. Verify the HVAC system has power, this may be identified at the unit.
4. Verify the circuit breaker was correctly turned back on.

Display installation

Connect the Display to the Thermostat. Magnets will hold the Display in place.
The Display will turn on after being connected.

Note: If the Display does not power on after 30 seconds, verify 24 VAC power is being supplied to the Thermostat from the HVAC system.

Setup

Add the thermostat to the Z-Wave network

During the initial installation wizard when installing the Smart Thermostat HD, the installer will be prompted to add the thermostat to the Z-Wave network.

Note: The thermostat is the component that communicates with the Z-Wave network (i.e., not the Display).

If the thermostat was not added to the Z-Wave network during the setup wizard and needs to be added manually, refer to the instructions below:

Add device locally:

Place the Z-Wave controller into Add Mode.
Tap on the Display.
Tap Network Settings.
Tap Z-Wave Connection.
Tap Add to Network.
In Network Configuration, tap Add.

Note: The Add button is only displayed if the Smart Thermostat HD is not currently enrolled to a Z-Wave network.
A message will appear to indicate whether the device was enrolled.

Test the system

Caution: Do not test the cool mode during cold weather. Wait for mild weather to fully test the system.

After successfully installing and setting up your new Smart Thermostat HD, please test the Smart Thermostat HD and HVAC system.
If the Smart Thermostat HD will control a heating system, test the heating system by changing the mode to HEAT and adjusting the setpoint to be higher than the current room temperature. Verify the heating system turns on and that the room is starting to warm up.
If the Smart Thermostat HD will control a cooling system, test the cooling system by changing the mode to COOL and adjusting the setpoint to be lower than the current room temperature. Verify the cooling system turns on and that the room is starting to cool down.

Additional configuration

Although the default settings will be appropriate in most cases, you also have the option to change all configuration settings via the Display. Open the Navigation menu and proceed to the relevant settings.

Caution: Be careful when changing advanced configuration settings. These configuration settings should only be changed by those familiar with heating and cooling system parameters. Contact your local HVAC professional for help. Before changing any settings, it is recommended to take a picture of the existing settings.

Delete the Smart Thermostat HD from a Z-Wave network

Place the Z-Wave controller into Delete Mode.
Tap on the display.
Tap Network Settings.
Tap Z-Wave Connection.
Tap Remove from Network.
In Network Configuration, tap Delete.

Note: The Delete button is only displayed if the Smart Thermostat HD is enrolled to a Z-Wave network or otherwise has Z-Wave network information saved.
A message will appear to indicate whether the device was deleted.

Set up local schedules

Schedules can be set up for the Smart Thermostat HD before it is connected to the Alarm.com system if necessary. Open the Navigation menu and proceed to the relevant settings.

Note: It is recommended to create schedules remotely using the Alarm.com Alarm.com customer website or Alarm.com app. Local scheduling is only available when the device is not connected to Alarm.com.

Factory reset the Smart Thermostat HD

The Smart Thermostat HD can be reset to its factory settings. This will reset all HVAC settings, rules, and schedules. It will also delete the Smart Thermostat HD from the Z-Wave network.

To reset using the Display:

Tap on the display.
Tap Installer Settings.
In Installer Settings, tap OK.
Tap Reset to Default.
In Confirm Action, tap OK.
The display will cycle through and show a confirmation message when the reset is complete.

To reset without using the Display:

If you are unable to use the Display, you may also reset the device to factory settings from the Thermostat.

Note: It is recommended to delete the Smart Thermostat HD from the Z-Wave network before performing this reset.

Remove the Display.
Press and hold the reset button on the front of the thermostat backplate for 30 seconds. For more information about the location of the button, refer to Thermostat.
When the Status LED slowly blinks, release the reset button. The Status LED will blink 10 times rapidly before turning off.
When the LED turns back on, the device has been factory reset.
After factory resetting the thermostat, put the Display back on the Thermostat. You will need to restart the setup process.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	How to resolve
Heating or cooling does not turn on when the setpoint is above or below the room temperature	To prevent damaging the compressor, the Smart Thermostat HD inserts a delay when cycling the compressor. This delay is only a few minutes long.	Change the setpoint to 2 degrees beyond the current setpoint and wait 5 minutes, at which point the system should turn on. If this does not work, contact your local HVAC professional.
Heat pump is “cooling when it should be heating” or “heating when it should be cooling”	Some heat pumps use the O terminal for their reversing valve, while others use the B terminal. Your heat pump may be the opposite type from how your thermostat is wired.	Try physically swapping the O or B wire to the opposite terminal. Turn off power to the HVAC system at the circuit breaker. Remove the Display. Hold down the terminal to remove the wire, remove the wire, hold down the opposite terminal, insert the wire fully. Reattach the Display to the Thermostat. Power on the HVAC system. If this does not work, contact your local HVAC professional.
The Display is not working	The Display may not be configured to wake up when you approach. The Display may not be receiving power.	Tap the screen to wake up the Display. If you would like your Display to wake up in response to your movement in front of it, verify the settings in the configuration menu. Verify that the Display is powered. Remove the Display from the Thermostat. Verify the Thermostat LED is on. This indicates the Thermostat has power and should be able to power the Display. Put the Display back on the Thermostat. Caution: If the Display is broken and cannot communicate with the Thermostat or is physically removed from the Thermostat, the HVAC control will not behave as expected. Please contact your HVAC professional to remedy the situation as soon as possible.
Motion-detected wake sensor is too sensitive or not sensitive enough	The motion-detected wake sensor needs to be calibrated.	To calibrate the motion-detected wake sensor: Tap on the Display. Tap Installer Settings. Tap Advanced Configurations. Tap Calibrate Motion. Leave the area for at least 5 minutes for it to allow for calibration with no motion. Once calibration is complete, a prompt will display on the screen indicating whether or not the calibration was successful. Note: If the thermostat is in a bedroom, it is recommended to turn the motion sensor off in the user settings. The motion sensor is sensitive enough to cause the display to stay on throughout the evening while people move in bed while asleep.
Dynamic backgrounds and/or salutations are not displaying correctly	Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening salutations and dynamic backgrounds require a clock report from the Z-Wave controller during the enrollment process.	The local time is lost any time the thermostat or Display has power cycled for any reason. While the thermostat will request the time from the Z-Wave controller, it may not always receive the time from the Z-Wave controller. In the event that the thermostat does not have a valid time set, a default background will be used with no salutations. To force the panel to send a clock report to the thermostat: Log in to the Partner Portal. Find the customer account. Click Command Catalog. In Date/Time, click Set Panel Time. Click Send Command.
The Display is unable to establish connection to the thermostat	The thermostat may be out of range of the Display or affected by interference from metal objects.	Tap Retry on the Display to try connecting the same Display and thermostat again. If they are still unable to communicate, move the thermostat closer to the Display away from any metal objects, then retry again. Note: After several retry attempts, there will be an option to reconfigure the connection. The Display will then list all thermostats within range to connect to.
The Display says the wiring is invalid	The thermostat was wired incorrectly.	Re-wire the thermostat following the on-screen instructions.
Hardware failure message displays on the screen	If the thermostat is experiencing hardware failure, one or more of the following messages will display on the screen: D2 – Radar Failure D3 – Temp/Hum Sensor Failure D4 - Light Sensor Failure D5 – Backlight Failure D6 – Coprocessor Failure D7 – Coprocessor Failure D8 – Backplate Failure Detection F0 – Temp/Hum Sensor Failure F1 – Invalid Temp/Hum Data F2 – Thermostat Memory Error F3 – Thermostat Memory Error F4 – Thermostat Memory Error F5 – Relay Stuck Open F6 – Relay Stuck Closed Note: The hardware failure messages will also show up in the event history at the time they are detected, and a subset of them will trigger the HVAC Control Failure trouble condition if they persist for more than 5 minutes. Once the account has no active hardware failures, the trouble condition will clear.	Before replacing hardware: Power cycle the thermostat. Send a Get Current Values command on the Configure Device page on the Partner Portal or Partner MobileTech app. For more information about configuring the Smart Thermostat HD, see Enroll and configure the Alarm.com Smart Thermostats.
The thermostat is locked and cannot be controlled locally or remotely.	The thermostat was configured to be controlled remotely only, and then removed from the account before reverting the setting.	To manually remove a thermostat lock: Hold the icon on the thermostat screen for 10 seconds. Note: Power cycling the Alarm.com Smart Thermostat HD will not unlock the device.

Regulatory information

FCC

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

This device may not cause harmful interference.
This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

IC

Under Industry Canada regulations, this radio transmitter may only operate using an antenna of a type and maximum (or lesser) gain approved for the transmitter by Industry Canada. To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not more than that necessary for successful communication.

Conformément à la réglementation d’Industrie Canada, le présent émetteur radio peut fonctionner avec une antenne d’un type et d’un gain maximal (ou inférieur) approuvé pour l’émetteur par Industrie Canada. Dans le but de réduire les risques de brouillage radioélectrique à l’intention des autres utilisateurs, il faut choisir le type d’antenne et son gain de sorte que la puissance isotrope rayonnée équivalente (p.i.r.e.) ne dépasse pas l’intensité nécessaire à l’établissement d’une communication satisfaisante.

Note: The grantee is not responsible for any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance. Such modifications could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.