When you’re looking for approaches to lower heating and cooling expenses, getting a smart thermostat is a wise move. These devices adjust to your favorite temperatures and routine and then develop an energy-efficient schedule that matches. What’s even better is that you can regulate and monitor your settings from almost anywhere with your phone, whether you’re lying in bed or away from home. (You might even be eligible for a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility supplier in Ballwin and St. Charles.)

Most of the time, installing a smart home thermostat with the assistance of Air Alliance Team is a simple process if you have a new house. But what if your residence is older or doesn’t have the proper wiring? Can you still have a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you navigate the process so you can pick the recommended thermostat and receive energy savings for years to come.

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

Most programmable thermostats run on batteries. When you’re upgrading to a smart thermostat, you’ll learn that many require a C wire, or common wire, for power. If you don’t use this wire, your new thermostat may cause your heating and cooling system to have glitches.

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

  1. Turn off power to the thermostat at the breaker.
  2. Remove the thermostat and check the wiring.
  3. 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.
  4. If there are three or four thin multicolored wires, you’re almost there. Make sure the C wire isn’t hidden 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 use 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 use 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 top brands are the Nest smart thermostat and ecobee smart thermostat. If you have two to four wires, these thermostats could be an option for you.

Nest says its thermostats are made to need minimal power and can often share it with your heating and cooling system. However, you may need to have a professional like Air Alliance Team install a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re experiencing power problems or a battery that’s always 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.

Trust Air Alliance Team for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Air Alliance Team, we’re always looking for methods to keep you more comfortable while keeping heating and cooling costs reasonable. If you have questions about switching to a smart thermostat without a C wire, reach us at 636-206-4584. We can help you select the right model for your house and even install new wiring if needed.