Replacing an RV Thermostat with a Household One
Thermostats don’t last forever.
If it feels like the temperature you set on your RV thermostat isn’t accurate, it might be time for a change.
The simplest way to replace an RV thermostat is by getting the same brand and model number, but for older RVs, the original part isn’t always available. It’s also not the best option if you are looking to upgrade the thermostat. Like trading out the old analog for digital.
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RV thermostat options are pretty limited. There are only a few basic designs, and not all of them are compatible with camper cooling and heating systems.
There’s a wide variety of household thermostats and they are available everywhere, so it makes sense to get one to replace what’s in the RV.
You can replace an RV thermostat with certain household ones, but there are a few requirements. You can’t use just any home thermostat.
What To Look For in an RV Thermostat Replacement
Once you choose the one that you think is right for your RV it might take some trial and error with the wiring.
If you aren’t comfortable wiring electronics, consider getting an RV thermostat over a household one to make things easier.
Many RVers have been able to replace their RV thermostats with other kinds by looking for ones that have these features.
Battery Powered
Since a regular household thermostat powered by the home’s electricity is made for a different voltage, the first thing you need to look for is a thermostat powered independently by batteries.
Most of the thermostats in RVs are analog and are run using 12-volt power from the house batteries. When you install a new battery-powered household thermostat, you don’t need to attach the 12-volt power wire.
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Low Voltage
Most of the appliances in RVs are run using 12-volt power. That includes the furnace.
You won’t need a large thermostat that’s capable of running the heating and cooling systems for an entire home. Look for low-voltage thermostats that are compatible with 12-volt systems. Anything that’s 24 or 12 volts is a low voltage with thermostats.
Millivolt Thermostat
A millivolt thermostat is a low-voltage thermostat that is also made for running furnaces that use gas instead of electricity.
That’s exactly what an RV furnace uses so getting a millivolt thermostat is a good option.
AC/Furnace Combo or Furnace Only
Most of the RVs on the road today have both the furnace and an AC controlled by one thermostat. In that case, you will need to get a thermostat that can run both.
Some RVs have only a furnace and no air conditioner. These kinds of campers will need a simple two wire thermostat replacement that is for furnaces.
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On/Off & Fan Settings
If your RV has an air conditioner connected to the thermostat, you will need to get a replacement that at least has an on/off switch or a heat/off/cool selector.
The fan speed is also something to think about. Few household thermostats can change the fan speeds like RV thermostats do.
Many RVers don’t worry about the fan speed settings since there really doesn’t seem to be a difference in temperature regulation. So they just leave the speed selector wire unused.
Wires
Some RV thermostats use a very simple 2 wire system, while others have a lot more for different controls. Make sure you look at thermostats that are compatible with the number of wires your current RV thermostat has.
With battery-powered thermostats, the 12-volt power wire that is connected to the RV thermostat will be left off. So you can count out that wire when looking at configurations.
Single Stage
RV heating and cooling systems are single stage since they rarely use multiple heating and cooling sources. Getting a thermostat that is compatible with single stage systems is best for RV use.
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RV Thermostats Compared
Here is a table comparing some of the most popular RV thermostats if you are looking for an easy replacement or upgrade.
| Model | Furnace/AC Compatibility | Wire Ports | Heat/Off/Cool Switch | Fan Controls | Digital Screen | Battery Powered | Analog | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Coleman-Mach Analog RV Thermostat | Furnace & AC | 6 | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Amazon |
 | Dometic Analog RV Thermostat | Furnace & AC | 6 | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Amazon |
 | Coleman-Mach Digital RV Thermostat | Furnace & AC | 6 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Amazon |
 | Airxcel Digital RV Thermostat | Furnace & AC | 6 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Amazon |
 | Dometic RV Thermostat Control Kit | Furnace & AC | 6 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Amazon |
 | Suburban Analog RV Thermostat | Furnace Only | 2 | No | No | No | No | Yes | Amazon |
Household Thermostats for RV Use
Here is a list of some popular household thermostats that are often used in RVs.
Wiring these thermostats might take a little more time, but these should work for most RV heating and cooling systems.
- Honeywell Home Programmable Thermostat
- Aowel Non-Programmable Thermostat
- Heagstat Programmable Thermostat
- Honeywell Home Analog Millivolt Thermostat
- Emerson Heat Only Non-Programmable Thermostat
Installing Your New Thermostat
Make sure you note the wire placements on the old thermostat when you remove it. This will make installing the new thermostat a lot easier since the wires will most likely have a slightly different configuration.
Remember, if you are installing a battery-powered thermostat you can leave the 12-volt power wire off.
Dometic Analog RV Thermostat’s are total junk, inaccurate and don’t last.