When you’re wanting ways to reduce heating and cooling bills, getting a smart thermostat is a wise idea. These devices pick up on your favorite temperatures and routine and then make an energy-efficient schedule to match. What’s even better is that you can adjust and keep an eye on your settings from nearly anywhere with your phone, whether you’re sitting in bed or on the go. (You might even be able to get a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility provider in Philadelphia.)

In many instances, adding a smart home thermostat with the assistance of Retro HVAC Service & Installation is a simple job if you have a newer house. But what if your residence is older or doesn’t have the correct wiring? Can you still have a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you figure out the process so you can select the right 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 upgrading to a smart thermostat, you’ll discover 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 find out if you have a C wire by doing the following:

  1. Switch off power to the thermostat at the breaker.
  2. Take off the thermostat and find 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 close. Make sure the C wire isn’t rolled up 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 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 won’t work and you don’t want to replace it.

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 a fit for your home.

Nest says its thermostats are created to run on minimal power and can often share it with your home comfort system. However, you may need to have a specialist like Retro HVAC Service & Installation install 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 connects 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 Retro HVAC Service & Installation for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Retro HVAC Service & Installation, we’re always on the lookout for methods to keep you more comfortable while keeping energy costs reasonable. If you want to learn more about switching to a smart thermostat without a C wire, contact us at 267-277-3851. We can help you select the right model for your home and even put in new wiring if required.