When you’re seeking ways to decrease heating and cooling expenses, getting a smart thermostat is a smart move. These devices pick up on your favorite temperatures and routine and then make an energy-efficient schedule that matches. What’s even better is that you can change and keep an eye on your settings from almost anywhere with your phone, whether you’re relaxing in bed or out and about. (You might even be able to get a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility company in Holbrook.)

In many instances, adding a smart home thermostat with the help of Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation is a simple task if you have a new house. But what if your house is older or doesn’t have the correct wiring? Can you still add a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you demystify the process so you can choose the right thermostat and get 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 making the move to a smart thermostat, you’ll find 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 malfunction.

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

  1. Switch off power to the thermostat at the breaker.
  2. Remove the thermostat and find the wiring.
  3. If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what’s needed 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 close. Ensure the C wire isn’t tucked inside the wall. If you can’t find one, we may be able to put in 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 run a smart thermostat with an adaptor specifically 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 could be an option for your needs.

Nest says its thermostats are designed to need very little power and can often share it with your HVAC system. However, you may need to have a professional like Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation add a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re running into power problems or a battery that’s always 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 Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Fal-Ken Heating & Cooling Corporation, we’re always seeking methods to keep you comfier while keeping utility expenses reasonable. If you have questions about installing a smart thermostat without a C wire, reach us at 631-460-5159. We can help you pick the right model for your home and even add new wiring if needed.