Nest - wiring compatibility- old Honeywell

[dtolani]

Hi there.  Need some help replacing this old Honeywell thermostat picture attached. It looks like we have eight wires coming out of the wall connected to the old thermostat but the nest that I have only has six..   any help with the wiring is appreciated 

 

[CoolingWizard · Accepted solution]

@dtolani ,

I moved your message to its own thread since you are a separate entity requiring assistance. You have a heat pump and the wire is connected to L is not required. It’s for the light whenever emergency heat is turned on. The rest of the wires are straightforward for installation on the nest model that you have. 
You do have two separate wires for auxiliary emergency heat, and this particular case the only thermostats that could handle both at the same time is the Nest learning thermostat series. 

AC Cooling Wizard

[dtolani]

Thanks a ton for getting me on the right track.  One followup question - 

since I have 8 wires coming into the old  thermostat and only 6 slots on the nest thermostat - if  I leave the ‘L’ wire disconnected , what is the second wire I should leave disconnected ?

[CoolingWizard]

@dtolani, 

You have a wire attached to E which is emergency, heat you can leave this one taped off and tucked in to the wall. 

AC Cooling Wizard