I Want A Smart Thermostat But Don't Have A C Wire - What Are My Options?
When you’re wanting approaches to lower heating and cooling costs, getting a smart thermostat is an intelligent idea. 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 adjust and monitor your settings from nearly anywhere with your phone, whether you’re lying in bed or away from home. (You might even be able to get a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility company in Lodi.)
In many instances, adding a smart home thermostat with the assistance of Tokay Heating & Air is a straightforward task if you have a more modern house. But what if your residence is older or doesn’t have the right wiring? Can you still add a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you navigate the process so you can select the correct thermostat and get energy savings for many years.
What Is A C Wire And What Does It Do On A Thermostat?
The majority of programmable thermostats run on batteries. When you’re upgrading to a smart thermostat, you’ll learn that many need a C wire, or common wire, for power. Without this wire, your new thermostat might cause your heating and cooling system to have malfunctions.
You can ascertain if you have a C wire by doing the following:
- Turn off power to the thermostat at the breaker.
- Remove the thermostat and check the wiring.
- If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what you need for a smart thermostat. You might be thinking 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. Check the C wire isn’t tucked in 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 specifically 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 isn’t right 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 match for you.
Nest says its thermostats are created to run on not a lot of power and can frequently share it with your HVAC system. However, you may need to have a pro like Tokay Heating & Air 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 is compatible with 24-volt systems (ones with three to six thermostat wires) and has a C wire adaptor. So, you’re taken care of if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.
Depend On Tokay Heating & Air For Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs
At Tokay Heating & Air, we’re always looking for methods to keep you more comfortable while keeping heating and cooling costs reasonable. If you have questions about installing a smart thermostat without a C wire, contact us at (209) 257-3156. We can help you pick the right model for your residence and even put in new wiring if necessary.
