When you’re wanting approaches to lower heating and cooling bills, getting a smart thermostat is a wise decision. These devices learn your favorite temperatures and routine and then make an energy-efficient schedule that fits. What’s even better is that you can change and monitor your settings from almost anywhere with your phone, whether you’re sitting in bed or on the go. (You might even be eligible for a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility company in Rapid City.)
Most of the time, adding a smart home thermostat with the help of Precision Mechanical is a simple job if you have a more modern house. But what if your home 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 enjoy energy savings for many years.
What Is a C Wire and What Does It Do on a Thermostat?
The majority of programmable thermostats need batteries. When you’re switching to a smart thermostat, you’ll find that many require a C wire, or common wire, for power. If you don’t use this wire, your new thermostat could cause your heating and cooling system to have malfunctions.
You can determine if you have a C wire by doing the following:
- Switch off power to the thermostat at the breaker.
- Remove the thermostat and find the wiring.
- If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what you need for a smart thermostat. You might be wondering 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 nearly there. Ensure the C wire isn’t hidden within the wall. If you can’t find one, we may be able to put in one for you or you may be able to run 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 replace it.
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 work for your needs.
Nest says its thermostats are created to run on not a lot of power and can often share it with your home comfort system. However, you may need to have a pro like Precision Mechanical add a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re running into power problems or a battery that’s constantly 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.
Trust Precision Mechanical for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs
At Precision Mechanical, we’re always on the lookout for methods to keep you more comfortable while keeping heating and cooling expenses reasonable. If you have questions about installing a smart thermostat without a C wire, give us a call at 605-206-3766. We can help you pick the right model for your house and even install new wiring if required.
