Yeah, totally agree—figuring out old wiring can be a nightmare. I've seen some pretty wild setups myself, like thermostat wires spliced with electrical tape and stuffed behind drywall (yikes). One thing I'd add is to always snap a quick pic of the wiring before disconnecting anything. Saved me more than once when I got distracted halfway through and forgot what went where...
"always snap a quick pic of the wiring before disconnecting anything"
This! I learned the hard way after spending hours retracing wires. Also, don't forget to shut off the breaker first—better safe than sorry, especially with older setups that might have hidden surprises...
Taking a quick pic is solid advice, saved me more than once. But honestly, if your thermostat is acting weird and you're not super comfortable with wiring, it might be worth calling someone in. I mean, I deal with plumbing all day, and even I hesitate when it comes to electrical stuff—water and electricity aren't exactly best friends, ya know?
Older houses especially can have some sketchy wiring setups. My buddy once tried to DIY his thermostat and ended up frying the whole thing because the previous owner had done some "creative" wiring. Cost him way more in the end. So yeah, DIY can be great, but sometimes it's better to bite the bullet and get a pro in there. At least you'll have peace of mind and won't risk making things worse...or shocking yourself.
Good points, but honestly thermostats these days are pretty straightforward. I've swapped out a bunch in my rentals, even older homes with questionable wiring. Usually, if you shut off the breaker and follow the instructions carefully (and yeah, take that pic first), it's not too tricky. Of course, if something looks really sketchy or you're unsure, better safe than sorry—but most times it's simpler than you'd think.
Yeah, swapping a thermostat is usually pretty painless. I've done it a bunch of times too, and you're right—taking that quick pic beforehand saves a lot of headaches. Only thing I'd add is double-checking compatibility if you're upgrading to one of those smart thermostats. Had one older place with funky wiring that didn't play nice at first... ended up needing an adapter. But overall, it's definitely doable for most people if you take your time.
