When you’re seeking ways to decrease heating and cooling costs, installing a smart thermostat is a wise decision. These devices learn your favorite temperatures and routine and then develop an energy-efficient schedule to match. What’s even better is that you can regulate and monitor your settings from just about anywhere with your phone, whether you’re relaxing in bed or out and about. (You might even be eligible for a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility provider in South Beloit and Belvidere.)
In most instances, hooking up a smart home thermostat with the support of Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc is a simple task if you have a newer residence. But what if your house is older or doesn’t have the proper wiring? Can you still install a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you figure out the process so you can pick the right thermostat and enjoy energy savings for years to come.
What Is a C Wire and What Does It Do on a Thermostat?
The majority of programmable thermostats need batteries. When you’re making the move to a smart thermostat, you’ll discover that many require a C wire, or common wire, for power. If you don’t use this wire, your new thermostat may cause your heating and cooling system to have malfunctions.
You can determine if you have a C wire by doing the following:
- Cut power to the thermostat at the breaker.
- Pull off the thermostat and look at the wiring.
- If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what’s needed for a smart thermostat. You might be pondering what color is the C wire on a thermostat—and the answer to that is typically blue.
- If there are three or four thin multicolored wires, you’re close. Make sure the C wire isn’t tucked inside the wall. If you can’t find one, we may be able to put in one for you or you may be able to use your new thermostat without one.
- If you have two thick wires, you may be able to install a smart thermostat with an adaptor just for high-voltage systems. Or you may be able to use a battery-powered smart thermostat, like the Lux Geo Wi-Fi Thermostat, if your wiring won’t work and you don’t want to put in new wiring.
Do Nest or ecobee Need a C Wire?
Two of the most popular brands are the Nest smart thermostat and ecobee smart thermostat. If you have two to four wires, these thermostats might be a fit for your home.
Nest says its thermostats are created to require minimal power and can typically share it with your home comfort system. However, you may need to have a professional like Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc install a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re running into power problems or a battery that’s always drained.
ecobee connects with 24-volt systems (ones with three to six thermostat wires) and comes with a C wire adaptor. So, you’re good if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.
Trust Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs
At Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc, we’re always looking for ways to keep you comfier while keeping utility costs inexpensive. If you want to know more about upgrading to a smart thermostat without a C wire, reach us at 877-389-2465. We can help you choose the right model for your home and even install new wiring if required.