When you’re seeking approaches to reduce energy costs, getting a smart thermostat is a smart move. 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 monitor your settings from almost anywhere with your phone, whether you’re lying in bed or out and about. (You might even be eligible for a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility supplier in East Bernard.)

In many instances, adding a smart home thermostat with the assistance of E.B. Air is an uncomplicated task if you have a newer house. But what if your house is older or doesn’t have the right wiring? Can you still add a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you demystify the process so you can pick the ideal thermostat and get 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 switching to a smart thermostat, you’ll learn that many need a C wire, or common wire, for power. If you don’t use this wire, your new thermostat might cause your heating and cooling system to have glitches.

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

  1. Turn off power to the thermostat at the breaker.
  2. Pull off the thermostat and look at the wiring.
  3. If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what you need for a smart thermostat. You might be pondering what color is the C wire on a thermostat—and the answer to that is usually blue.
  4. If there are three or four thin multicolored wires, you’re nearly there. Check the C wire isn’t hidden inside the wall. If you can’t find one, we may be able to add 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 run a smart thermostat with an adaptor just for high-voltage systems. Or you may be able to operate a battery-powered smart thermostat, like the Lux Geo Wi-Fi Thermostat, if your wiring isn’t right and you don’t want to put in new wiring.

Do Nest or ecobee Need a C Wire?

Two of the best-selling brands are the Nest smart thermostat and ecobee smart thermostat. If you have two to four wires, these thermostats might work for you.

Nest says its thermostats are made to consume very little power and can often share it with your heating and cooling system. However, you may need to have a pro like E.B. Air put in a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re running into 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 taken care of if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.

Trust E.B. Air for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At E.B. Air, we’re always looking for methods to keep you more comfortable while keeping utility bills reasonable. If you want to learn more about upgrading to a smart thermostat without a C wire, contact us at 979-335-4262. We can help you pick the right model for your home and even add new wiring if necessary.