Patent Publication Number: US-10767884-B2

Title: Methods systems and tools for determining a wiring configuration for an HVAC controller

Description:
This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/088,292, filed Nov. 22, 2013, and entitled “METHODS, SYSTEMS AND TOOLS FOR DETERMINING A WIRING CONFIGURATION FOR AN HVAC CONTROLLER”, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to HVAC controllers, and more particularly to methods, systems and tools for aiding a user in determining a proper wiring configuration for an HVAC controller. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systems are often used to control the comfort level within a building or other structure. Such HVAC systems typically include an HVAC controller (e.g. thermostat) that controls various HVAC components of the HVAC system in order to affect and/or control one or more environmental conditions within the building. Different thermostats may require different wiring configurations based on such things as the manufacturer, the type of HVAC equipment to be controlled, the particular system settings, etc. In some cases, there may be many possible thermostat wiring configurations. The selection of an appropriate wiring configuration for a particular HVAC controller will often depend on the particular HVAC equipment that is to be controlled. Because of the many factors that can affect the wiring configuration for a particular HVAC controller, a user (typically a do-it-yourself homeowner) installing a replacement HVAC Controller that is different from their previous HVAC controller may find it difficult to determine how to wire their new HVAC controller to control their existing HVAC system. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates generally to methods, systems and tools for aiding a user in determining a proper wiring configuration for an HVAC controller. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, a system may include: a communications port for communicating with a user interface; a memory storing wiring configurations for each of a plurality of current HVAC controllers, along with one or more corresponding new wiring configurations for each of a plurality of replacement HVAC controllers; and a controller operatively coupled to the communications port and the memory. In some cases, the controller can be programmed to display on the user interface a plurality of wiring terminal labels and at least two replacement HVAC controllers available for selection by a user via the user interface. In response to receiving a selection of a replacement HVAC controller as well as a selection of two or more wiring terminal labels indicative of the current wiring configuration of the current HVAC controller, the controller determine a new wiring configuration for the selected replacement HVAC controller based, at least in part, on the selected two or more wiring terminal labels and the selected replacement HVAC controller. 
     In another illustrative embodiment, a method of identifying a new wiring configuration for a replacement HVAC controller based on a current wiring configuration of a current HVAC controller includes: receiving a number of user inputs from a user via a user interface, the number of user inputs identifying a current wiring configuration of a current HVAC controller; and a replacement HVAC controller that is to replace the current HVAC controller; determining a new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller based, at least in part, on the current wiring configuration of the current HVAC controller as well as the replacement HVAC controller that is to replace the current HVAC controller; and outputting the new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller to the user interface. 
     The preceding summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present disclosure and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the disclosure can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description of various illustrative embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an illustrative HVAC system servicing a building or structure; 
         FIGS. 2A-2D  are several schematic drawings illustrating removal of an existing HVAC controller; 
         FIG. 3  is schematic view of a wall plate of a replacement HVAC controller mounted on a wall, with the wires of the HVAC system ready to be wired in accordance with a new wiring configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a system for facilitating identification of the new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative server that may host the Web Service  208  of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIGS. 6-12  show several views of illustrative screens that may be displayed to a user. 
     
    
    
     While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the disclosure to the particular illustrative embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     DESCRIPTION 
     The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The description and drawings show several embodiments which are meant to illustrative in nature. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a building  2  having an illustrative heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system  4 . While  FIG. 1  shows a typical forced air type HVAC system, other types of HVAC systems are contemplated including, but not limited to, boiler systems, radiant heating systems, electric heating systems, cooling systems, heat pump systems, and/or any other suitable type of HVAC system, as desired. The illustrative HVAC system  4  of  FIG. 1  includes one or more HVAC components  6 , a system of ductwork and air vents including a supply air duct  10  and a return air duct  14 , and one or more HVAC controllers  18 . The one or more HVAC components  6  may include, but are not limited to, a furnace, a heat pump, an electric heat pump, a geothermal heat pump, an electric heating unit, a backup heating unit, an air conditioning unit, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, an air exchanger, an air cleaner, a damper, a valve, and/or the like. 
     It is contemplated that the HVAC controller(s)  18  may be configured to control the comfort level in the building or structure by activating and deactivating the HVAC component(s)  6  in a controlled manner. The HVAC controller(s)  18  may be configured to control the HVAC component(s)  6  via a wired or wireless communication link  20 . In some cases, the HVAC controller(s)  18  may be a thermostat, such as, for example, a wall mountable thermostat, but this is not required in all embodiments. Such a thermostat may include (e.g. within the thermostat housing) or have access to a temperature sensor for sensing an ambient temperature at or near the thermostat. In some instances, the HVAC controller(s)  18  may be a zone controller, or may include multiple zone controllers each monitoring and/or controlling the comfort level within a particular zone in the building or other structure. In some cases, the HVAC controller(s)  18  may be configured to communicate with one or more remote devices including a remote server and/or a user&#39;s mobile wireless device over a network. 
     In the illustrative HVAC system  4  shown in  FIG. 1 , the HVAC component(s)  6  may provide heated air (and/or cooled air) via the ductwork throughout the building  2 . As illustrated, the HVAC component(s)  6  may be in fluid communication with every room and/or zone in the building  2  via the ductwork  10  and  14 , but this is not required. In operation, when a heat call signal is provided by the HVAC controller(s)  18 , an HVAC component  6  (e.g. forced warm air furnace) may be activated to supply heated air to one or more rooms and/or zones within the building  2  via supply air ducts  10 . The heated air may be forced through supply air duct  10  by a blower or fan  22 . In this example, the cooler air from each zone may be returned to the HVAC component  6  (e.g. forced warm air furnace) for heating via return air ducts  14 . Similarly, when a cool call signal is provided by the HVAC controller(s)  18 , an HVAC component  6  (e.g. air conditioning unit) may be activated to supply cooled air to one or more rooms and/or zones within the building or other structure via supply air ducts  10 . The cooled air may be forced through supply air duct  10  by the blower or fan  22 . In this example, the warmer air from each zone may be returned to the HVAC component  6  (e.g. air conditioning unit) for cooling via return air ducts  14 . 
     In some cases, a user may desire to replace their existing HVAC controller  18  with a replacement HVAC controller  18 .  FIGS. 2A-2D  show example steps that a user may follow when removing their existing HVAC controller  18 . It will be generally understood that different HVAC controllers may involve different steps to effect their removal and/or replacement. Also, not every step is required and/or more steps may be added, depending on the circumstances. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 2A , a user may first remove the housing cover  36  from the HVAC controller  18  and then, remove the HVAC controller housing  40  to expose the wall plate  44  attached to the wall of the building or structure in which the HVAC controller  18  is located.  FIG. 2B  shows the wall plate  44  mounted to the wall  48  of the building. As shown in  FIG. 2B , a plurality of wires  52   a - 52   d  extends out of the wall  48  and through an opening provided in the wall plate  44 . The one or more wires  52   a - 52   d  extend from and are in electrical communication with the one or more components  6  of the HVAC system  4  servicing the building. Each wire  52   a - 52   d  may be connected to an appropriate wire terminal  54   a - 54   d  on the wall plate, often in a one-to-one manner, such that they are capable of carrying signals from the HVAC controller  18  to the appropriate HVAC component  6 . In some cases, the wires  52   a - 52  may provide one-way or bi-directional communication between the HVAC controller  18  and the HVAC system  4 . The number of wires available for connection to the HVAC controller  18  may be dependent on the number and type of HVAC components  6  incorporated into the HVAC system  4  and/or the previous HVAC controller. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2B , each of the wire terminals  54   a - 54   d  may be labeled with a standard wire terminal label as will be generally recognized by those of skill in the art. In this example, wires terminals  54   a - 54   d  are labeled Y (e.g. cooling), W (e.g. heat), R (24 VAC power to be switched), and G (e.g. fan), respectively. These wires may be color coded, such that the Y wire is Yellow, the W wire is White, the R wire is Read and the G wire is Green. 
     In some cases, as shown in  FIG. 2B , an additional wire  56  may be connected to an additional wire terminal  58  labeled Rc (e.g. 24 VAC Cooling call switch power). In some cases, before removing the wires and/or wall plate  44 , the user may take a picture or video of the existing wiring configuration, label the wires  52   a - 52   d  with the wire terminal labels as shown in  FIG. 2C , or otherwise note the existing wiring configuration for the existing HVAC controller  18  that is being replaced by the replacement HVAC controller  18 . Labeling the wires with the wire terminal designations and/or taking a picture or video of the existing wiring configuration may facilitate identification of an appropriate wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller  18 , as further described herein.  FIG. 2D  is a schematic view of the wires  52   a - 52   c  and  56  after removal of the wall plate from the wall. As shown in  FIG. 2D , the wires  52   a - 52   c  and  56  have been labeled with the appropriate wire terminal label  54   a - 54   c  and  58 , respectively. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the user may place a wall plate  60  of the replacement HVAC controller  18  over the wires  52   a - 52   d  extending out of the wall  48  such that they may be connected to one or more wire terminals  70   a - 701  provided on the new wall plate  60 . The wire terminals  70   a - 701  may be labeled (not shown) with wire terminal labels generally known to those skill in the art, but this is not required. An exemplary, non-limiting list of commonly used wire terminal labels and their corresponding description is provided below in Table 1 below. The wiring terminal labels listed in Table 1 are just some examples. In some cases, different manufacturers may utilize different wiring terminal designations for different equipment types. 
                         TABLE 1               Terminal           Code   Description                  1   Special communication terminal       2   Special communication terminal       3   Special communication terminal       4   Special communication terminal or 24Vac Power or heat on           power-open/power close hot water valves (W)       5   Power on power-open/power close hot water valves (R)       6   End call for heat on power-open/power close hot water           valves (Y)       AUX   Back up heat for heat pump       B   Heat pump reversing valve in heat or 24Vac common wire       C   24 volt neutral (also referred to as the common wire)       Dehum   Dehumidification       E   Emergency heat relay on a heat pump       F   Fan       G   Fan       Hum   Humidifier       L   Heat pump monitor       L1   Line Power - 120/240 volts       L2   Line Power - 120/240 volts       M   Compressor - first stage cooling       O   Heat Pump Reversing valve in cooling       R   24 VAC power to be switched       Rc   24 VAC cooling call switch power       Rh   24 VAC heat call switch power       S1   Sensor terminal       S2   Sensor terminal       T1   Sensor terminal       T2   Sensor terminal       V   24 VAC power to be switched       Vent   Ventilation equipment       W   First stage heating       W1   First stage heat or auxiliary heat       W2   Second stage heat or auxiliary heat       W3   Third stage heat or auxiliary heat       X   Emergency Heat or 24 Vac Common       X2   Emergency heat or indicator lights on some thermostats       Y   First stage cooling/compressor       Y1   First stage cooling/compressor                    
The number and/or type of wire terminals available for connection may be dependent upon the make and/or model of the replacement HVAC controller  18  and the number and/or type of HVAC components  6  that the replacement HVAC controller  18  is intended to control. As previously noted, there may be multiple thermostat wiring configuration options for different HVAC system types which may present a challenge to the user when installing a replacement HVAC controller  18 .
 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a system  200  that may be utilized by a user to facilitate identification of an appropriate wiring configuration for the user&#39;s replacement HVAC controller  18 . The user may desire to use the system  200  when they are unsure as to how the replacement HVAC controller  18  should be wired to control the exiting HVAC system  4 . In some cases, the user may initiate a session with a customer service to assist with the identification of an appropriate wiring configuration for the selected replacement HVAC controller  18 . The customer service may be provided by the manufacturer of the replacement HVAC controller  18  to provide technical and/or customer service support to customers installing the manufacturer&#39;s products. In some cases, the user may contact customer service over the telephone or via a web services interface  204  hosted by a web service provider  208  such as, for example, Honeywell&#39;s TOTAL CONNECT™ web service. In some cases, the web service provider  208  may be in communication with a customer service server  80  over a network  210 . In some cases, the web service provider  208  may host a cached copy  212  of a wiring configuration database  86  that may be maintained by the customer service server  80 , and that may be utilized to identify a new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller  18 . 
     In some instances, the user may initiate a request for help through the web service provider  208  using a web enabled device  214  such as a personal computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, a smart phone, the replacement HVAC controller and/or the like capable of viewing one or more web pages served up by the web service provide  208  via a web services interface  204 . In some cases, the device  214 , such as a personal computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, a smart phone, the replacement HVAC controller and/or the like, may download an application (or app), which may communicate with the web service provider  208  and display information to the user. 
     The one or more web pages served up by the web services interface  204  (or downloaded app) may provide a user interface through which the user may interact with the customer service server  80 . In other cases, the user may initiate a request for help through an application program (app) stored in the memory of their tablet computer, smart phone or other device. In some cases, the application program (app) may be available for downloading from the web services provider  208 . Similar to the web services interface  204 , the application program (app) may cause the user&#39;s device to display one or more screens through which the user may interact with customer service. In other cases, the user may contact customer service directly such as, for example, using a telephone by calling a customer service or technical support phone number, initiating a live chat session with customer service through a customer service web site, via email, and/or in any other suitable manner. In some cases, a customer service agent may access the server  80  using a server terminal  216  or through a web portal that is in communication with the server  80 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative server  80 , as discussed herein with reference to  FIG. 4 , to facilitate identification of a wiring configuration for a replacement HVAC controller  18 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the server  80  may include a memory  82  storing a wiring configuration tool  84  and a wiring configuration database  86 . In addition, the server  80  may include a web application  88  for serving up one or more screens or web pages via a user interface  92 . In some cases, the user interface  92  may be provided by a computer or server terminal that is connected to the server  80 , and may be any suitable user interface  92  that is capable of receiving one or more interactions from the customer service agent or other user. In other cases, the user interface  92  may be provided at a remote device that is in communication with the server  80  over a network via the input/output port  94 . Such a remote user interface  92  maybe provided by a web services interface  204  or by an application program (app) executed by a user&#39;s smart phone, tablet computer and/or any other suitable device, as discussed herein. A controller  96  may be operatively coupled to and in communication with each of the memory  82 , the web application  88 , the user interface  92 , and the input/output port  94 , and may be programmed to execute the tools and/or application programs stored in the memory  82 . In some cases, the controller  96  may be programmed to execute the wiring configuration tool  84  in response to receiving a request from the user via the user interface  92 . The wiring configuration tool  84  may be programmed to identify a new wiring configuration for a replacement HVAC controller based, at least in part, on information provided by the user regarding the wiring configuration of the existing HVAC controller  18  that is being replaced by the replacement HVAC controller. The wiring configuration tool  84  may be programmed to provide the new wiring configuration to a user via the user interface  92 . 
     In some cases, the customer requesting help in identifying a new wiring configuration for a replacement HVAC controller may be associated with a customer service account or user profile stored in the memory  82  of the server  80 . As discussed herein, the customer requesting help may initiate the request for help via an app stored on the user&#39;s smart phone or tablet computer, via a web services interface provided by a web service provided that is in communication with the server  80  or by contacting customer service in any other suitable way. As such, through the customer&#39;s customer service account or user profile, the customer service agent may have access to information about the user&#39;s HVAC system, the user&#39;s existing HVAC controller, the user&#39;s preferred HVAC system settings, and/or the like. In addition, information stored in the memory  82  the server  80  that is associated with the user&#39;s account or user&#39;s profile may be used to auto populate one or more fields associated with the wiring configuration tool  84  as will be described in greater detail below. However, this is not required. 
     The wiring configuration tool  84  may be launched in response to receiving the request for help from the customer. As discussed herein, the user may initiate a request for help through a web services interface  204  hosted by a web service provider  208  using a web enabled device  214 , through an application program (app) stored in the memory of their tablet computer or smart phone, or in any other suitable manner. In some cases, the user may contact customer service directly such as, for example, using a telephone by calling a customer service or technical support phone number or by initiating a live chat session with customer service through a customer service web site. In this example, a customer service representative may launch the wiring configuration tool by entering the appropriate command at a server terminal  216  connected to the server  80 . The wiring configuration tool  84  may cause the controller  96  to display one or more screens to a user via the user interface  92  that may guide the user through identification of an appropriate wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller  18 . As discussed herein, such a user interface  92  may be provided by a web services interface  204 , by an application program (app) executed by a user&#39;s smart phone or tablet computer, on the replacement HVAC controller, or in any other suitable manner. In other cases, the remote user interface  92  may be provided at a server terminal  216  connected to the server  80  that may be accessed by a customer service agent working with the user via telephone or live chat session initiated though a customer service web site. 
       FIGS. 6-12  provide several illustrative views of an exemplary screen  100  that may be displayed to a user via a user interface  92  in connection with the wiring configuration tool  84 . While  FIGS. 6-12  are generally described in the context of the example in which a user has contacted a customer service agent via telephone, and the customer service agent is interacting with the wiring configuration tool  84  via a user interface  92  provided at a server terminal  216  or other suitable user interface, it will be generally understood that the same or similar screens may be displayed to a user via a user interface  92  provided via a web service hosted by a web service provider that is connected to the server  80  over a network, provided by an application program (app) executed by a user&#39;s smart phone, provided by a replacement HVAC controller, and/or by any other suitable device. 
     In some cases, as shown in  FIGS. 6-12 , an illustrative screen  100  may include a first tab  104  that, when selected by the user, may cause the controller  96  to display information related to a wiring configuration as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . In addition, screen  100  may include a second tab  108  that, when selected by the user, may cause the controller  96  to display contextual information related to the HVAC system  4 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . While  FIG. 6-12  are described as they relate to the different information that may be displayed on a single screen of a user interface  92  based on one or more inputs received from a user, it will be generally understood the any of the information displayed in the various views of screen  100  may be displayed using two or more separate screens or sequence of two or more screens, as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-12 , a user (e.g. customer service agent—or customer) may enter or select the appropriate manufacturer and model of the replacement HVAC controller  18  indicated by the customer in the appropriate field provided by screen  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 6-12 , the user may select the appropriate replacement HVAC controller (e.g. HW2000) from a list  110  of two or more possible replacement HVAC controllers available for selection. In some cases, the list  110  of replacement HVAC controllers available for selection may be accessed by the customer service agent (or customer) via a drop-down box  114  as shown in  FIGS. 6-12 . This is just one example. In some cases, the user may enter information about their previous HVAC controller, such as manufacturer and model. 
     Next, the customer service agent may query the customer about the current wiring configuration of the existing HVAC controller that is to be replaced by the replacement HVAC controller  18 . In some cases, the customer may respond to the query from the customer service agent by uploading a picture or video of the existing wiring configuration via an appropriate user interface provided by a customer service website or by an application program executed by the user&#39;s smart phone or tablet for that purpose. In this example, the controller  96  may be configured to automatically identify the current wiring configuration based, at least in part, on the picture or video uploaded to the server  80  by the user, sometimes with image processing. In other cases, the customer may verbally relay the information to the customer service agent. Regardless of how the information regarding the current wiring configuration of the existing HVAC controller is conveyed to the customer service agent, the customer service agent may input the current wiring configuration associated with the existing HVAC controller using screen  100  by selecting the appropriate wiring terminal labels  116  associated with the current wiring configuration of the existing HVAC controller as indicated by the customer. The customer service agent may select the appropriate wiring terminal labels from a plurality of wire terminal labels  116  that are commonly associated with HVAC controllers and are generally known to those of skill in the art. In some cases, as shown, the plurality of wire terminal labels  116  for selection may be displayed as a list including check boxes or radio buttons for indicating selection. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , wire terminal labels, G, R, W, and Y have been selected. This is just one example. The customer service agent may then select the SUBMIT button  118  or other similar button to submit selection of the replacement HVAC controller from the list  110  of possible replacement HVAC controllers and the wire terminal labels  116  G, R, W, and W associated with the existing wiring configuration. 
     In many cases, the controller  96  may be configured to determine a new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller  18  based, at least in part, on the one or more inputs received from the customer service agent (or customer) indicative of the current wiring configuration of the existing HVAC controller and the make and model of the replacement HVAC controller  18  that is to replace the existing HVAC controller. The controller  96  may determine the new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller by comparing the inputs received from the user indicative of the current wiring configuration of the current HVAC controller and the make and model of the replacement HVAC controller to information stored in a wiring configuration database  86  stored in the memory  82  of the server  80 . In some cases, the database  86  may include one or more look-up tables including a plurality of legacy wiring configurations to new wiring configurations groups for a number of possible replacement HVAC controllers. The controller  96  may utilize the replacement HVAC controller information to first isolate the appropriate lookup table of legacy wiring configurations to new wiring configurations groups, and then compare the existing wiring configuration to the information contained within the selected lookup table to identify a possible new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller  18  indicated by the user via the user interface  92 . 
     Depending upon the features of the HVAC system  4  to be controlled by the replacement HVAC controller, a legacy wiring configuration may correspond to more than one new wiring configuration. In some cases, the controller  96  may not be able to determine a single wiring configuration based on the current wiring configuration indicated by the user. As such, the controller  96  may be further programmed to cause the wiring configuration tool  84  to generate one or more user queries requesting additional information from the user via the user interface  92 . The one or more user queries may be based, at least in part, on the one or more inputs received from the user indicative of the current or historical wiring configuration. The one or more queries for additional information may relate to the characteristic(s) of the HVAC system  4  that is to be controlled by the replacement HVAC controller  18 . For example, the one or more user queries may query the user as to whether or not the HVAC system  4  includes both heating and cooling. In other cases, the one or more user queries may query the user about the heating and/or cooling equipment type, the number of cooling and/or heating equipment stages, whether the heating system is gas or electric, whether or not the system includes backup heat, and/or the like. These are just some examples. 
       FIG. 7  shows an example of a screen  150  that includes a request for additional information from the user about features of the HVAC system  4  to be controlled by the replacement HVAC controller  18 . In some cases, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the user query  154  for additional information about one or more characteristics of the HVAC system  4  may be displayed in a pop-up or floating window  156  that may displayed over the wiring configuration information entered by the user via screen  100 . In other cases, the user query  154  may be displayed in a separate window or screen. The user query  154  may include one or more selectable options  158  though which a user may respond to the user query  154 . The controller  96  may be programmed to utilize the user&#39;s response(s) to the user query(s) for additional information to resolve the new wiring configuration to a single wiring configuration. 
     Upon determining a new wiring configuration, the controller  96  may be programmed to output a new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller  18 . In some cases, the controller  96  may be configured to cause the wiring configuration tool  84  to visually display the new wiring configuration to the user via the user interface  92 . In other cases, the controller  96  may be configured to transmit the new wiring configuration information to the customer via SMS text message or email message using a cellular phone number and/or email message associated with the user&#39;s customer service account or user profile. Any other suitable mechanism may be used to communicate the new wiring configuration to the user. 
       FIG. 8  shows an exemplary view of screen  100  including the new wiring configuration for the replacement HVAC controller. The new wiring configuration may be visually displayed to the user in a first region  120  of screen  100 . In some cases, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the controller  96  may be configured to display a wire map  124  showing the wire mapping between the existing wiring configuration as indicated by the user through wiring configuration tool  84 , and the new wiring configuration determined by the controller  96 . The wiring map  124  may indicate which wires from the HVAC system  4  should be connected to which wire terminals on the replacement HVAC controller  18 . For example, as shown in region  120  of screen  100  of  FIG. 8 , the wire mapping from the existing HVAC controller to the new replacement HVAC controller is indicated as follows: R→R, W→W, Y→Y, G→G. In other words, the wire previously connected to the R terminal on the previous HVAC controller should be connected to the R terminal on the replacement HVAC controller  18 ; the wire connected to the W terminal on the previous HVAC controller should be connected to the W terminal on the replacement HVAC controller  18 ; the wire connected to the Y terminal on the previous HVAC controller should be connected to the Y terminal on the replacement HVAC controller  18 ; and the wire connected to the G terminal on the previous HVAC controller should be connected to the G terminal on replacement HVAC controller  18 . This is just one example. In another example, the wire mapping designations may be displayed in a table such as is shown below in Table 2. 
                                 TABLE 2                       Previous HVAC   Replacement HVAC           Controller   Controller                          R   R jumped to Rc           Y   Y           W   Aux/E           G   G           Y2   Y2           B   C           O   O           X2 jumped to W   No jumper needed           F   L                        
As can be seen from the wiring mapping information provided in Table 2, there may not always be a direct correspondence between the wiring terminals utilized on the previous HVAC controller and the wiring terminals of the replacement HVAC controller.
 
     In some cases, in addition to the new wiring configuration displayed in a first region  120  of the screen  100 , the controller  96  may be configured to display a narrative  128  related to the new wiring configuration. The narrative  128  may be displayed in a second region  130  of screen  100 , and may contain additional information related to the new wiring configuration that may be useful to the customer when wiring the replacement HVAC controller following the new wiring configuration displayed in the first region  120 . In some cases, the additional information contained within the narrative  128  may include further instructions for wiring the replacement HVAC controller  18  to control the existing HVAC system  4 . In addition, or in the alternative, second region  130  may provide troubleshooting information that may assist the user in trouble shooting any difficulties that they may experience when wiring the replacement HVAC controller  18  following the new wiring configuration displayed in the first region  120 . This troubleshooting information may be distilled from common problems experienced by previous users. In some cases, such common problems may be recorded by customer service agents as they assist customers. Solutions to the common problems may be developed, and may be added to the wiring configuration database  86  and displayed in second region  130 . 
     In some cases, selection of second tab  108  may cause the controller  96  to display the user display contextual information about the wiring configuration displayed when tab  104  is selected.  FIG. 9  shows an example of screen  100  in which the second tab  108  has been selected by a user. As shown in  FIG. 9 , tab  108  may display contextual information about the wiring configuration indicated via tab  104  in a first region  140 . In addition, selection of second tab  108  may cause the controller to display contextual information related to the HVAC system in a second region  144  of screen  100 . 
     In some cases, the controller  96  may be configured to display a wiring diagram of the new wiring configuration.  FIG. 10  is an exemplary view of screen  100  in which a wiring diagram  134  of the new wiring configuration is displayed in the first region  120 . Similar to  FIG. 8 , a narrative  138  related to the wiring configuration diagram  134  showing a new wiring configuration for a replacement HVAC controller  18  may be displayed in the second region  130  of the screen  100 . As discussed herein, the narrative  138  may contain additional information related to the new wiring configuration that may be useful to the customer when wiring the replacement HVAC controller  18  following the new wiring configuration displayed in the first region  120 . In some cases, the additional information contained within the narrative  128  may include further instructions for wiring the replacement HVAC controller to control the existing HVAC system  4 . In addition or in alternative to, the narrative  128  may provide troubleshooting information that may assist the user in trouble shooting any difficulties that they may experience when wiring the replacement HVAC controller following the new wiring configuration displayed in the first region  120 . In many cases, the customer service may deliver all or some of the information displayed in the narrative  128  to the customer. 
     In other cases, as shown in  FIGS. 11  an  12 , the controller  96  may be configured to display a sequence of two or more screens  160 ,  164 , each screen showing at least a portion of a new wiring configuration. In some cases, the sequence of two or more screens  160 ,  164  may be a predetermined sequence of screens having a pre-determined order. For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the controller  96  may be configured to display a first screen  160  including a first portion  170  of a wiring diagram  172 . In addition, the controller  96  may be further configured to display at least one instructional step  176  for wiring the new HVAC controller according to the new wiring configuration. In some cases, the first portion  170  of the wiring diagram  172  may be displayed in a first region  178  of screen  160  and the at least one instruction step for wiring the replacement HVAC controller associated with the first portion  170  the wiring diagram  172  may be displayed in a second region  180  of the screen. The user may select the NEXT button  184  or other appropriate button to advance form the first screen  160  showing the first portion of the wiring diagram  172 , to a next screen  164  showing a second portion  186  of the wiring diagram  172  as shown in  FIG. 12 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , a second instructional step  188  for wiring the new HVAC controller according to the new wiring configuration may be displayed in connection with the second portion  186  of the wiring diagram  172 . Similar to  FIG. 11 , the second portion  186  of the wiring diagram  172  may be displayed in a first region  178  of screen  160  and the at least one instruction step for wiring the new HVAC controller associated with the second portion  186  the wiring diagram  172  may be displayed in a second region  180  of the screen. The user may select the NEXT button  184  or other appropriate button to advance form the second screen  164  showing the second portion  186  of the wiring diagram  172  to a subsequent screen, as applicable, in the sequence of screens. In some cases, a BACK button  190  may be provided that permits a user to view a previous screen in the sequence. 
     Having thus described several illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that yet other embodiments may be made and used within the scope of the claims hereto attached. Numerous advantages of the disclosure covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood, however, that this disclosure is, in many respect, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure&#39;s scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.