When you’re seeking approaches to decrease energy costs, getting a smart thermostat is an intelligent idea. These devices adjust to your favorite temperatures and routine and then make an energy-efficient schedule to match. What’s even better is that you can adjust and watch your settings from just about anywhere with your phone, whether you’re relaxing in bed or on the go. (You might even be eligible for a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility provider in Carson City.)

Most of the time, adding a smart home thermostat with the assistance of Anderson Heating & A/C is a simple task if you have a more modern 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 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?

Many programmable thermostats use 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 have this wire, your new thermostat could 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 check 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 almost there. Make sure 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 operate your new thermostat without one.
  5. If you have two thick wires, you may be able to run 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 won’t work and you don’t want to put in new wiring.

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 a match for your home.

Nest says its thermostats are made to run on minimal power and can often share it with your home comfort system. However, you may need to have a pro like Anderson Heating & A/C install 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 good if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.

Trust Anderson Heating & A/C for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Anderson Heating & A/C, we’re always seeking methods to keep you comfier while keeping heating and cooling costs reasonable. If you want to know more about switching to a smart thermostat without a C wire, give us a call at 775-230-7628. We can help you select the right model for your house and even put in new wiring if needed.