When you’re seeking ways to lower utility bills, installing a smart thermostat is a smart idea. These devices pick up on your temperature preferences and routine and then make an energy-efficient schedule that matches. What’s even better is that you can adjust and monitor your settings from almost 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 supplier in Payson.)
Most of the time, hooking up a smart home thermostat with the assistance of North Mechanical Heating and Cooling is a straightforward process if you have a newer house. But what if your house is older or doesn’t have the correct wiring? Can you still have a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you navigate the process so you can pick the ideal thermostat and receive energy savings for many years.
What Is a C Wire and What Does It Do on a Thermostat?
Most programmable thermostats run on batteries. When you’re switching to a smart thermostat, you’ll learn that many require a C wire, or common wire, for power. If you don’t have this wire, your new thermostat might cause your heating and cooling system to have malfunctions.
You can find out if you have a C wire by doing the following:
- Turn off power to the thermostat at the breaker.
- Take off the thermostat and check the wiring.
- If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what’s required for a smart thermostat. You might be wondering what color is the C wire on a thermostat—and the answer to that is often blue.
- If there are three or four thin multicolored wires, you’re almost there. Make sure the C wire isn’t tucked within the wall. If you can’t find one, we may be able to install 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 run a smart thermostat with an adaptor just for high-voltage systems. Or you may be able to operate a battery-powered smart thermostat, like the Lux Geo Wi-Fi Thermostat, if your wiring isn’t right and you don’t want to install 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 could be a fit for you.
Nest says its thermostats are designed to need not a lot of power and can often share it with your heating and cooling system. However, you may need to have a specialist like North Mechanical Heating and Cooling install a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re having power problems or a battery that’s always drained.
ecobee is compatible 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.
Rely on North Mechanical Heating and Cooling for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs
At North Mechanical Heating and Cooling, we’re always looking for approaches to keep you more comfortable while keeping heating and cooling bills low. If you have questions about installing a smart thermostat without a C wire, reach us at 928-263-8570. We can help you pick the right model for your house and even put in new wiring if necessary.