INTRODUCTION TO THE ZEN THERMOSTAT .............................................................................................. 2
ZEN Thermostat Technical Specifications .............................................................................................. 3
ZEN Thermostat Features ........................................................................................................................... 5
User Interface Guide ................................................................................................................................. 6
ZEN Thermostat Online Install Guide ..................................................................................................... 10
ZEN Installation Tips and Tricks ................................................................................................................ 11
ZEN HVAC Configuration System .......................................................................................................... 19
ZEN is a new home thermostat that looks beautiful on your wall, is incredibly simple to use and
is connected to the Internet so you can control the temperature of your home from your
home automation system.
SMART DOESN’T HAVE TO BE COMPLEX
ZEN has no ugly push buttons. Instead we have
replaced them with an elegant touch screen which is
simple and intuitive and fades into the background
when you’re not using it. Instead of screws, ZEN uses
magnets to click on and off the wall.
INSTALLATION IS SIMPLE TOO
We believe that simple design is good design. So while it
was tempting to just keep adding features, what we
realised was that most people just want a beautiful
thermostat that is simple to install and easy to use.
The ZEN team devoted as much effort in making the
installation process simple and intuitive as they spent on
the styling and everyday usage
ZEN FOCUSES ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS, SETTING
THE TEMPERATURE OF YOUR HOME RIGHT
We looked at how people use thermostats and we
found that complicated units with embedded learning
algorithms don’t really work the way people expect.
You can spend a lot of time correcting the assumptions
it’s made about you. We wanted to avoid this. We
didn’t want to create a thermostat that thinks it’s
smarter than you. We wanted you to only interact with
ZEN when you really need to.
ZEN Thermostat supports setting the following operating modes via the thermostat display:
HEAT, COOL, OFF, EMER (emergency heat)
FAN AUTO or FAN ON
AUTO (not available by default, must be enabled in advanced settings)
The ZEN user interface automatically adjusts to only show the operating modes that are
available for the wiring and HVAC configuration (see later section on ZEN HVAC
Configuration for details).
Other functions such as scheduling, economy modes or demand response are controlled
through the home automation platform using a touchscreen or smartphone app.
Access the user preferences by removing the unit from the wall
Center touch to activate options.
Touch right or left to scroll through the preferences.
Touch up or down to modify a preference.
Center touch to confirm.
If you are experiencing issues, reboot your display by removing and reinserting a battery. This will
retain your configuration settings.
Performing a Factory Reset will reset your HVAC system configuration and all of your preference and
advanced settings changes. You should only do this when instructed by a support center assistant.
To restore to factory settings, press the CONFIG button on the back of the main display 20 times.
The display will beep five times to confirm the reset.
The ZEN thermostat is designed to be installed by DIY customers and HVAC installers. The ZEN
online installation guide (www.zenthermostat.com/install) should be the first point of call for
any installation. It provides step-by-step instructions for installing and configuring ZEN, which
are customised to the specific wiring configuration of the user.
Complex or Unusual Installations
The ZEN Online Installation Guide works for over 90% of install situations. However, if a wiring
combination is not recognised, the user is notified.
The next steps are:
1. User provides more information to support centre via email. An image of the existing
thermostat wiring is very valuable.
2. Support centre responds with:
o Advice on how to wire up the ZEN thermostat and which configuration code
to use
o If the installation is complex, a recommendation to call a HVAC technician.
o If the installation is not compatible with ZEN, a recommendation to return ZEN
to the place of purchase
If there is any uncertainty about the configuration, ZEN
recommends calling a HVAC technician
As with all electrical equipment, the first step in installation
should be to turn off the main breaker
The ZEN thermostat works on low voltage systems rated at 24
volts, with a maximum current rating of 2A per relay. This is the
common voltage for most furnaces, heat pumps and air
conditioning systems.
ZEN will not work on line voltage systems of 110 volts or
higher. These systems are typically European systems or
electric baseboard systems.
If the wiring is installed in a junction box, it is also likely to be
110V or higher.
Usually, these systems will have thick black, white or red wires
connected with wire nuts on the thermostat.
If the HVAC system is not compatible with ZEN, please return
ZEN to the place of purchase.
Most thermostats allow you to remove the main unit and
provide access to a wall plate which holds the wiring
terminals
Removing the existing thermostat differs between models. As a first step, refer to your
thermostat’s manual for the instructions, but usually includes:
snapping it off the wall with moderate pressure
undoing small screws
lifting locking tab and rotating the thermostat
If you are unable to pull it off, please refer to your thermostat manufacturer's website or
manual for removal instructions.
Some old thermostats contain mercury in a sealed tube. Contact the Thermostat
Recycling Corporation at http://www.thermostat-recycle.org/ for information on how
and where to properly and safely dispose of your old thermostat.
Wire labelling
There is no single standard for wire colors and thermostat connections. However, most
thermostats have terminal blocks with wire labels.
The way in which the old thermostat is wired and labelled is one of the best guides for how to
wire up the ZEN thermostat. Correctly identifying the wires that exist ensures that all the
functions of your heating and cooling system will be able to be controlled by the ZEN
thermostat.
If you are unsure or your wire terminals are unlabeled, tracing the wires back to the HVAC
system is the best way to determine what each wire does.
ZEN provides wire labels in the package, which should be
used to label the wire before they are removed from the old
thermostat terminals.
The ZEN online installation guide provides a detailed
description of which label should be applied to which wire.
Once the old thermostat is removed, the best way of
identifying wires is through the ZEN labels.
The wiring diagrams provided by ZEN are all based on the
ZEN labelling format
Many thermostats use links to connect
common circuits together.
ZEN does not require re-use of old links. It
comes complete with 2 links, which are
located on the rear of the main unit.
The links can be removed by pulling
gently and inserted by pushing them into
place.
Configuration of the links is determined based on the information entered into the online
install guide. The function of each link configuration is shown below:
The ZEN wallplate should be mounted so that
the bundle of wires comes out through the
centre of the wallplate.
Use a level to help align the wall plate, then
mark the mounting holes on either side.
The mounting hardware supplied in the ZEN
package consists of 2 wall anchors and 2
screws. The wall anchors are suitable for use on
both drywall and plaster.
Use a 1/4in (6mm) drill bit to drill holes for the
wall plugs. Ensure that the wires are kept out of
the way when drilling.
Insert the wall anchors into the holes.
Attach the wallplate using the screws provided.
Take note of the orientation arrow which should
point upwards.
If your previous thermostat was larger, you may
choose to use the blanking plate to cover any
unsightly areas.
The blanking plate is sandwiched between the
wall plate and the wall and does not require
any extra screws to attach.
The blanking plate can be used in either portrait
or landscape orientation
ZEN uses a configuration code to set the important working parameters required by a
thermostat. These include the type and number of heating and cooling stages. A detailed
description of the ZEN configuration codes is given in the following section.
When first installed, ZEN does not have any configuration set. The display will show “ZEN” until
the CONFIG button is pressed and configuration is entered.
This sequence is intended to force the user or installer to
determine the correct configuration of the device before
they can operate the heating or cooling. This reduces the
likelihood of damaging the HVAC system through incorrect
installation.
Some existing thermostats have dipswitches that may change the configuration of the
existing wire labels. If the thermostat you are replacing has multiple rows of wire labelling,
make sure to check for dipswitches that may alter the configuration. Finding the original
installation manual will assist you in getting the configuration set up correctly.
ZEN uses a configuration code to set the important working parameters required by a
thermostat. These include the type and number of heating and cooling stages.
Basic configuration is suitable for most
installations and is highly
recommended for DIY installs.
Basic configuration allows the user to
enter a 3-digit code which provides all
the information required to configure
the thermostat.
The first step in setting the basic
configuration is to remove ZEN from the
wall, turn it over so the rear of the
display is accessible, then press the
CONFIG button once.
ZEN Basic Configuration Code
The ZEN online installation guide automatically determines the required configuration code
based on the following items entered by the user:
Wiring of the old thermostat
Type of heating system
The configuration code is a 3 digit alpha-numeric code. Each digit has a distinct function:
The possible values for each digit, and their meaning, are shown on the following page.
Touch up or down to scroll through the list of configurations
Centre touch to select the configuration
The code will flash to confirm selection
Exit configuration mode by placing the display back on the wall plate.
Effect on User Interface
The ZEN thermostat user interface automatically adjusts to only show the heating and cooling
options that are available in the configuration.
As an example, if the configuration is set to 10A (1 stage heating, no cooling, no fan control),
then the user will be able to select Heating mode but not Cooling or Fan Control mode.
If the configuration is set to 31P (heatpump heating and cooling with emergency heat and
fan control), then the user will be able to select Heating, Cooling, Emergency Heat and Fan
Control mode.
Heating Type
The most important heating control parameter that is affected by the heating type is the
maximum cycles per hour (CPH) that is used for each heating type. In particular, heatpump
systems require fewer cycles per hour to ensure that the compressor is not cycled too often
which can cause it to lock up.
Advanced configuration allows a
professional HVAC installer to set more
detailed system parameters.
Any changes made in
advanced configuration will
override basic configuration settings, so
it recommended that only a
knowledgeable HVAC installer use the
Advanced settings.
The first step in setting the advanced
configuration is to remove ZEN from the
wall, turn it over so the rear of the
display is accessible, then press the
CONFIG button 5 times.
Changing the Advanced Settings
Once in advanced settings mode:
Touch left or right to move to the setting items
Touch up or down to change the value for each setting
Center touch to select the setting
The setting will flash to confirm selection
Exit advanced settings mode by placing the display back on the wall plate.
Advanced Settings Using the Online Installation Guide
The recommended method for determining the
correct Advanced Settings is through the ZEN online
installation guide.
The guide will show an “Advanced Settings” button
at the end of the installation workflow.
Click on the blue arrow to enter the advanced
settings page.
Once in Advanced Settings, configure the thermostat using the following steps:
Select the temperature units (F or C)
Select the desired Settings Type Tab
Use the dropdown boxes to select a Settings Value
Once all settings have been made, change the thermostat settings by inputting the
codes into the thermostat display that correspond to those shown in the Advanced
Configuration Codes section at the bottom of the page.
Exit Advanced Settings mode by placing the display back on the wall plate.
Effect on User Interface
The Advanced Settings page automatically adjusts to only show the Settings Types that are
determined by the Basic Configuration.
As an example, if the Basic Configuration is set to 10A (1 stage heating, no cooling, no fan
control), then only the Heat Stage 1 and Misc Settings tabs will be shown.
If the Basic Configuration is set to 31P (heatpump heating and cooling with emergency heat
and fan control), only the Heat Stage 1, Cool Stage 1 and Misc Settings tabs will be shown.
ZEN Thermostat is ZigBee HA 1.2 compatible and is continually being integrated into new
home automation platforms. For the latest list of compatible platforms, please refer to the
website – www.zenthermost.com
At the time of printing, the ZEN thermostat has been tested to work with the following home
automation platforms:
SwannOne
OpenHome
Smartthings
ZEN supports only standard ZigBee clusters and should, in theory, work with any ZigBee HA
compatible system.
However, in practice, some integration effort may be required by the HA platform to ensure
reliable operation.
If you are attempting to connect ZEN to a home automation platform which is not in the list
above, and there are issues in the connection process, please contact the home
automation platform support line.
Joining and Leaving a ZigBee Network
Joining
Once you’ve set your home network to search
for a new device, remove the display from the
wall mount and press the NETWORK button 5
times (the thermostat will beep on each button
press).
The wireless icon will start flashing when
pairing with your home network.
Once connected it will stop flashing and remain
illuminated.
If you have joined a network but it is not the
correct network, press the NETWORK button 5
times again to search for the next available
network
Leaving
To leave a ZigBee network, remove the display
from the wall mount and press the NETWORK
button 10 times (the thermostat will beep on
each button press).
The wireless icon will disappear once you
have left the network.