When you’re looking for ways to decrease heating and cooling bills, getting a smart thermostat is a wise 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 regulate and keep an eye on your settings from almost anywhere with your phone, whether you’re sitting 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 Columbia.)

Most of the time, hooking up a smart home thermostat with the help of Watts Electric & AC is a straightforward task if you have a more modern house. But what if your home is older or doesn’t have the correct wiring? Can you still add a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you figure out the process so you can pick the proper thermostat and enjoy energy savings for a long time.

What Is a C Wire and What Does It Do on a Thermostat?

Many programmable thermostats run on batteries. When you’re upgrading to a smart thermostat, you’ll find that many require a C wire, or common wire, for power. If you don’t use this wire, your new thermostat may cause your heating and cooling system to have malfunctions.

You can ascertain 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 you need for a smart thermostat. You might be thinking what color is the C wire on a thermostat—and the answer to that is often blue.
  4. If there are three or four thin multicolored wires, you’re almost there. Ensure the C wire isn’t tucked inside the wall. If you can’t find one, we may be able to add 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 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 is incompatible and you don’t want to replace it.

Do Nest or ecobee Need a C Wire?

Two of the top brands are the Nest smart thermostat and ecobee smart thermostat. If you have two to four wires, these thermostats might be a match for you.

Nest says its thermostats are made to consume minimal power and can often share it with your HVAC system. However, you may need to have a professional like Watts Electric & AC add a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re having power problems or a battery that’s constantly drained.

ecobee is compatible 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.

Rely on Watts Electric & AC for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Watts Electric & AC, we’re always on the lookout for methods to keep you cozier while keeping heating and cooling expenses reasonable. If you have questions about installing a smart thermostat without a C wire, reach us at 601-736-7362. We can help you select the right model for your residence and even install new wiring if required.