When you’re seeking ways to reduce energy costs, upgrading to a smart thermostat is a smart idea. These devices adjust to your favorite temperatures and routine and then make an energy-efficient schedule that fits. What’s even better is that you can regulate and keep an eye on your settings from almost anywhere with your phone, whether you’re lying in bed or out and about. (You might even be able to get a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility company in Mobile.)
Most of the time, hooking up a smart home thermostat with the support of Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc is a simple task if you have a more modern home. 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 figure out the process so you can pick the proper thermostat and receive 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 switching to a smart thermostat, you’ll learn that many need 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 glitches.
You can determine if you have a C wire by doing the following:
- Turn off power to the thermostat at the breaker.
- Pull off the thermostat and find the wiring.
- If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what’s needed for a smart thermostat. You might be thinking 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 nearly there. 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 run your new thermostat without one.
- 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 install 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 top brands are the Nest smart thermostat and ecobee smart thermostat. If you have two to four wires, these thermostats might be an option for your home.
Nest says its thermostats are designed to need minimal power and can often share it with your home comfort system. However, you may need to have a specialist like Farnell 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 works with 24-volt systems (ones with three to six thermostat wires) and comes with a C wire adaptor. So, you’re covered if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.
Depend on Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs
At Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc, we’re always seeking ways to keep you cozier while keeping utility bills inexpensive. If you want to know more about upgrading to a smart thermostat without a C wire, reach us at 251-471-2674. We can help you pick the right model for your house and even add new wiring if needed.