When you’re wanting approaches to decrease heating and cooling expenses, getting a smart thermostat is an intelligent move. These devices learn your favorite temperatures and routine and then create an energy-efficient schedule to match. What’s even better is that you can regulate and watch your settings from nearly anywhere with your phone, whether you’re lying in bed or on the go. (You might even be able to get a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility supplier in Croydon.)

Most of the time, adding a smart home thermostat with the assistance of Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC is an uncomplicated process if you have a newer house. But what if your home is older or doesn’t have the correct wiring? Can you still add a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you navigate 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 run on batteries. When you’re switching to a smart thermostat, you’ll discover 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 malfunctions.

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 look at the wiring.
  3. If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what’s needed for a smart thermostat. You might be pondering 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. 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 run your new thermostat without one.
  5. If you have two thick wires, you may be able to install 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 install 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 could be a fit for your needs.

Nest says its thermostats are created to consume minimal power and can frequently share it with your HVAC system. However, you may need to have a professional like Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC put in a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re experiencing 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 taken care of if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.

Rely on Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Indoor Comfort Systems HVAC, we’re always seeking methods to keep you comfier while keeping utility bills reasonable. If you want to learn more about switching to a smart thermostat without a C wire, contact us at 215-741-5505. We can help you choose the right model for your house and even install new wiring if needed.