On my old mercury manual rheem thermostat, wires were connected as such:
white to w2 and e
yellow to y
brown to x
green to g
red to r
blue to b
there is also an orange wire that is not used.

I wanted to upgrade to a digital, programmable thermostat, so I got this honeywell rth7000. The way the old one was connected does not match anything in the installation, and it tells me to call a contractor.
I have a unit outside and one in the attic. My assumtion is that this is very typical.
My options on this new thermostat are:c
g
y
o/b
rc
r
and on the other side
aux
e
l
Any help would be appreciated. I getting very flustered.

On my old mercury manual rheem thermostat, wires were connected as such:
white to w2 and e
yellow to y
brown to x
green to g
red to r
blue to b
there is also an orange wire that is not used.

I wanted to upgrade to a digital, programmable thermostat, so I got this honeywell rth7000. The way the old one was connected does not match anything in the installation, and it tells me to call a contractor.
I have a unit outside and one in the attic. My assumtion is that this is very typical.
My options on this new thermostat are:c
g
y
o/b
rc
r
and on the other side
aux
e
l
Any help would be appreciated. I getting very flustered.


Your directions are here

http://customer.honeywell.com/techlit/pdf/PackedLit/69-2104ES.pdf

I am sure you marked your wires before removal so you know exactly where they came from on the old thermostat.

Attached is also a guide for the X wire and other conversions. You might have to trace a wire back to the unit to see where it actually gods and does. There is NO magic solution.