Installing Your Radio Thermostat CT101 Z-Wave

What You'll Need

• Radio Thermostat CT101 Z-Wave
• Z-Wave hub (SmartThings, Hubitat, Home Assistant with Z-Wave stick, etc.)
• Compatible 24V HVAC system
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Wire labels or tape
• AA batteries (for backup power)

Before You Start

The Radio Thermostat CT101 is a Z-Wave Plus thermostat with a color touchscreen. Like other Z-Wave thermostats, it requires a compatible hub for remote control and automation -- it does not connect to Wi-Fi directly. It works with most 24V HVAC systems including conventional furnaces (gas, electric, oil), heat pumps with auxiliary heat, and systems with up to 2 stages of heating and 2 stages of cooling.

C-Wire and Power Options

The CT101 can run on a C-wire for continuous 24V power or on AA batteries as primary power. For reliable Z-Wave communication and the best touchscreen responsiveness, a C-wire connection is recommended. Battery-only operation works but the touchscreen may dim sooner and battery replacement will be needed every few months depending on usage. If you have an unused wire in your thermostat cable, connect it to C at both the thermostat and furnace control board.

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Turn off HVAC power at the breaker. Confirm the system is off before disconnecting any wires.
2. Remove the old thermostat faceplate and photograph the wiring. Label each wire with the terminal letter.
3. Remove the old wall plate.
4. Install the CT101 backplate using the included screws. Thread the wires through the opening.
5. Connect wires to matching terminals. The CT101 has standard terminals: R, C, G, Y, Y2, W, W2, O/B. Tighten each screw terminal securely.
6. Insert batteries for backup power.
7. Snap the thermostat onto the backplate.
8. Turn power back on at the breaker.
9. Pair with your Z-Wave hub:
   • Put your hub into Z-Wave inclusion mode
   • On the CT101 touchscreen, go to Menu, then tap "MATE"
   • The hub should detect the thermostat within seconds
   • Confirm the pairing in your hub's interface

HVAC Compatibility Notes

The CT101 supports conventional systems with up to 2 heating stages and 2 cooling stages, plus heat pump operation with auxiliary heat. For heat pumps, connect the O/B wire and select the reversing valve type in the installer setup (O for energize on cool, B for energize on heat). The thermostat can also display humidity readings, though it does not include a humidifier control terminal. If you need to control a humidifier, you will need an external relay.

Smart Home Integration

The CT101 works with any Z-Wave-compatible hub. It is Z-Wave Plus certified, offering improved range and reliability over older Z-Wave devices. Popular hubs include SmartThings, Hubitat Elevation, and Home Assistant with a Z-Wave coordinator. Since all communication is local (Z-Wave mesh), there is no cloud dependency for basic operation. Voice control is available through your hub's integration with Alexa or Google Assistant.

Home Assistant users get full thermostat control through the Z-Wave integration, including set point, mode, fan mode, and battery level reporting.

Energy Saving Features

• 7-day programmable schedule with multiple time periods per day for fine-grained temperature control
• Humidity display helps you monitor indoor conditions and adjust settings to avoid over-humidifying or under-humidifying
• Filter reminder tracks system runtime and alerts you when it is time to change the air filter
• Hub automations let you tie the thermostat to presence detection, door/window sensors, or time-based rules for automatic energy savings

Troubleshooting

• MATE/pairing does not work: If the thermostat was previously paired to a different hub, it needs to be excluded first. Put your hub in Z-Wave exclusion mode and tap MATE on the CT101 to remove the old pairing. Then try inclusion again.
• Z-Wave exclusion: Navigate to Menu on the touchscreen, then tap "Exclude" to put the thermostat in exclusion mode. Your hub should then confirm the device has been removed.
• Display is dim or unresponsive: Check battery condition and C-wire connection. If running on batteries only, low batteries can cause the touchscreen to become sluggish. Replace batteries and consider adding a C-wire for more reliable power.
• HVAC not starting: Verify the correct system type is configured in the installer settings. Access the installer setup by holding the fan and up arrow buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds. Check that the system is set to the right type (conventional, heat pump, etc.) and the number of stages matches your equipment.
• Thermostat reports wrong temperature: The CT101 allows a temperature offset calibration in the advanced settings. If the reading is consistently off by a degree or two, apply the offset rather than moving the thermostat.
• Factory reset: Access the advanced menu and select the factory reset option. Be sure to exclude the device from your Z-Wave network before resetting, as a reset without exclusion can leave a ghost device in your hub that is difficult to remove.