When you’re looking for ways to decrease energy bills, getting a smart thermostat is a wise move. These devices learn your favorite temperatures and routine and then make an energy-efficient schedule to match. What’s even better is that you can regulate and watch your settings from nearly anywhere with your phone, whether you’re sitting in bed or away from home. (You might even be eligible for a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility provider in Lancaster.)

Most of the time, installing a smart home thermostat with the help of Fairfield Heating & Cooling is an uncomplicated task if you have a newer house. But what if your home is older or doesn’t have the right wiring? Can you still have a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you navigate the process so you can select the ideal thermostat and get energy savings for a long time.

What Is a C Wire and What Does It Do on a Thermostat?

The majority of programmable thermostats use batteries. When you’re upgrading to a smart thermostat, you’ll discover that many need a C wire, or common wire, for power. If you don’t use this wire, your new thermostat might cause your heating and cooling system to have glitches.

You can find out if you have a C wire by doing the following:

  1. Cut power to the thermostat at the breaker.
  2. Remove the thermostat and look at the wiring.
  3. 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.
  4. If there are three or four thin multicolored wires, you’re close. Make sure the C wire isn’t hidden in the wall. If you can’t find one, we may be able to add one for you or you may be able to run your new thermostat without one.
  5. If you have two thick wires, you may be able to use 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 is incompatible and you don’t want to install new wiring.

Do Nest or ecobee Need a C Wire?

Two of the best-selling brands are the Nest smart thermostat and ecobee smart thermostat. If you have two to four wires, these thermostats could be an option for your needs.

Nest says its thermostats are designed to run on not a lot of power and can typically share it with your heating and cooling system. However, you may need to have a pro like Fairfield Heating & Cooling put in a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re running into power problems or a battery that’s frequently drained.

ecobee works with 24-volt systems (ones with three to six thermostat wires) and includes a C wire adaptor. So, you’re good if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.

Depend on Fairfield Heating & Cooling for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Fairfield Heating & Cooling, we’re always seeking methods to keep you cozier while keeping heating and cooling expenses reasonable. If you have questions about switching to a smart thermostat without a C wire, give us a call at 740-331-4331. We can help you choose the right model for your residence and even install new wiring if necessary.