When you’re looking for methods to lower heating and cooling expenses, getting a smart thermostat is a wise idea. These devices pick up on your favorite temperatures and routine and then develop an energy-efficient schedule to match. What’s even better is that you can change and keep an eye on your settings from just about 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 Moline.)

Most of the time, installing a smart home thermostat with the help of Freed Heating & Air Conditioning is a straightforward process if you have a newer house. But what if your home is older or doesn’t have the proper wiring? Can you still install a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you demystify the process so you can pick the ideal thermostat and enjoy energy savings for a long time.

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

Many programmable thermostats run on 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 have 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. Turn off power to the thermostat at the breaker.
  2. Take off the thermostat and find the wiring.
  3. If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what’s required 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.
  4. If there are three or four thin multicolored wires, you’re nearly there. Check the C wire isn’t rolled up 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 operate your new thermostat without one.
  5. If you have two thick wires, you may be able to use a smart thermostat with an adaptor designed 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 won’t work 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 you.

Nest says its thermostats are designed to run on very little power and can frequently share it with your HVAC system. However, you may need to have a professional like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning install a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re experiencing power problems or a battery that’s frequently drained.

ecobee connects 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.

Rely on Freed Heating & Air Conditioning for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Freed Heating & Air Conditioning, we’re always looking for methods to keep you cozier while keeping heating and cooling bills reasonable. If you have questions about switching to a smart thermostat without a C wire, give us a call at 309-323-9584. We can help you choose the right model for your home and even put in new wiring if necessary.