When you’re looking for ways to reduce heating and cooling bills, getting a smart thermostat is a smart decision. These devices adjust to your favorite temperatures and routine and then create an energy-efficient schedule to match. What’s even better is that you can adjust and monitor your settings from just about 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 provider in St. Louis.)
Most of the time, installing a smart home thermostat with the assistance of Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating is a simple process if you have a new house. But what if your house is older or doesn’t have the proper wiring? Can you still install a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you figure out the process so you can pick the right thermostat and get energy savings for a long time.
What Is a C Wire and What Does It Do on a Thermostat?
Many programmable thermostats use batteries. When you’re making the move 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 glitches.
You can ascertain if you have a C wire by doing the following:
- Turn off power to the thermostat at the breaker.
- Remove the thermostat and look at 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 close. Make sure the C wire isn’t hidden 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.
- 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 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 may be an option for you.
Nest says its thermostats are designed to consume minimal power and can typically share it with your home comfort system. However, you may need to have a professional like Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating put in a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re having power problems or a battery that’s frequently drained.
ecobee works with 24-volt systems (ones with three to six thermostat wires) and has a C wire adaptor. So, you’re covered if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.
Depend on Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs
At Morgner Inc. Air Conditioning & Heating, we’re always seeking approaches to keep you comfier while keeping heating and cooling bills reasonable. If you want to learn more about installing a smart thermostat without a C wire, contact us at 314-262-4541. We can help you select the right model for your residence and even put in new wiring if needed.