Red thermostat wire

[Viperdoug]

Does one thermostat red wire count as two if there is a jumper wire connecting the R and Rc terminal? I have a heat pump system. The thermostat wiring only has one red wire that jumps to both the R and the Rc terminals. When I use the compatibility checker, it says I’m compatible if I just have one red wire, but not compatible if I have two red wires. I don’t want to cause any damage. Can I proceed with the wiring I currently have. Total of five wires, C, O/B, Y, G, and R, Rc combined with a jumper to one wire. 

[sporfrog · Accepted solution]

 A jumpered red wire does not count as two. Think of it as a single wire split in two as needed for your particular old thermostat. In the compatibility checker just enter it as R.

Your system should be compatible with any of the available Nest Thermostats based on your listing of wires.

[sporfrog · Accepted solution]

 A jumpered red wire does not count as two. Think of it as a single wire split in two as needed for your particular old thermostat. In the compatibility checker just enter it as R.

Your system should be compatible with any of the available Nest Thermostats based on your listing of wires.

[Patrick_Caezza · Accepted solution]

 You don't need that jumper because the Nest thermostat will automatically jump the Rc & Rh terminals together for you

[MelbaDT]

Hey folks, 

Thanks for your answers, Patrick_Caezza and sporfrog. 

Viperdoug, I'm jumping in to ensure that your question is answered. Let us know if you have more. 

Best, 

Melba

[MelbaDT]

Hey Viperdoug, 

Checking back in if you still have some questions about our Nest thermostats. 

Best, 

Melba

[Viperdoug]

Installation went perfectly. Just used one of my two existing red wires to connect Nest. Our heat pump system is working great. 

[MelbaDT]

Hey there, 

Awesome! That's great news — glad that you've sorted it out. 

I'll be locking this thread now. Should you have any new issues, updates or just a discussion topic, feel free to start a new thread in the community.

Cheers, 

Melba