I have a 10 year old Carrier thermostat and want to install a new programmable thermostat.

The thermostat has 5 wires (red, yellow, green, blue and white). All of the programmable thermostats only instruct you on how to install with 3 or 4 wires.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a programmable thermostat that has a 5 wire option?

Usually there is a 24 volt AC transformer in the furnace with the secondary winding connected to a red wire running to the thermostat and a blue wire, common, to the gas valve, A/C relay, and fan relay. From the thermostat there will be white wire to the gas valve, yellow to the A/C, and green to the fan. The thermostat is wired to switch the power from the red to the white, yellow, and green as needed with the blue completing the circuit. Most thermostats and furnaces have the contacts labeled R, B or C, W, Y, and G for the corresponding wire colors. It may be wired to have the A/C control wires return to the furnace and its controls and then a second wire goes to the A/C unit. Internal wiring may replace the green wire if the thermostat does not give you the option of fan only or continuous fan. Digital or programmable thermostats may need the blue wire connected to them.

If you are going to have heat, fan on, and A/C, youneed at least 4 wires. It the new thermostat doesn't need the blue wire, leave it disconnected.