When you’re wanting approaches to decrease heating and cooling expenses, getting a smart thermostat is a wise idea. These devices adjust to your favorite temperatures and routine and then develop 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 relaxing in bed or out and about. (You might even be able to receive a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility provider in Huffman.)
In many instances, hooking up a smart home thermostat with the support of Air Houston Mechanical LLC is a simple job if you have a newer residence. But what if your house is older or doesn’t have the proper wiring? Can you still have a smart thermostat without a C wire? We’ll help you figure out the process so you can pick the correct thermostat and get energy savings for many years.
What Is a C Wire and What Does It Do on a Thermostat?
Many programmable thermostats need batteries. When you’re switching to a smart thermostat, you’ll learn that many need a C wire, or common wire, for power. Without this wire, your new thermostat could cause your heating and cooling system to malfunction.
You can determine if you have a C wire by doing the following:
- Cut power to the thermostat at the breaker.
- Pull off the thermostat and find the wiring.
- If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what’s required for a smart thermostat. You might be wondering what color the C wire on a thermostat is—and the answer to that is usually blue.
- If there are three or four thin multicolored wires, you’re almost there. Check the C wire isn’t rolled up within the wall. If you can’t find one, we may be able to add one for you or you may be able to operate your new thermostat without one.
- If you have two thick wires, you may be able to run a smart thermostat with an adaptor designed 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 is incompatible and you don’t want to install new wiring.
Do Nest or ecobee Need a C Wire?
Two of the most popular brands are the Nest smart thermostat and the ecobee smart thermostat. If you have two to four wires, these thermostats could work for your needs.
Nest says its thermostats are made to require very little power and can often share it with your HVAC system. However, you may need to have a specialist like Air Houston Mechanical LLC 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 always drained.
ecobee works with 24-volt systems (ones with three to six thermostat wires) and comes with a C-wire adaptor. So, you’re covered if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.
Depend on Air Houston Mechanical LLC for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs
At Air Houston Mechanical LLC, we’re always seeking approaches to keep you more comfortable while keeping energy bills low. If you want to learn more about upgrading to a smart thermostat without a C wire, give us a call at (832) 957-9332. We can help you select the right model for your home and even add new wiring if necessary.
