When you’re seeking ways to lower utility costs, getting a smart thermostat is a smart move. These devices pick up on your favorite temperatures and routine and then develop an energy-efficient schedule that matches. What’s even better is that you can regulate and monitor your settings from almost anywhere with your phone, whether you’re lying in bed or away from home. (You might even be eligible for a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility company in Sarasota.)

In many instances, adding a smart home thermostat with the help of Airtech Cooling & Heating is a straightforward task if you have a new house. But what if your residence is older or doesn’t have the right wiring? Can you still have a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you figure out the process so you can choose 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 use batteries. When you’re switching to a smart thermostat, you’ll find that many have to have 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 have malfunctions.

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

  1. Cut power to the thermostat at the breaker.
  2. Remove 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 pondering 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. Make sure the C wire isn’t hidden in 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 install 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 is incompatible and you don’t want to install 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 a match for you.

Nest says its thermostats are made to run on not a lot of power and can frequently share it with your home comfort system. However, you may need to have a pro like Airtech Cooling & Heating put in a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re experiencing power problems or a battery that’s frequently drained.

ecobee connects with 24-volt systems (ones with three to six thermostat wires) and comes with a C wire adaptor. So, you’re good if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.

Rely on Airtech Cooling & Heating for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Airtech Cooling & Heating, we’re always looking for methods to keep you comfier while keeping utility bills reasonable. If you want to learn more about upgrading to a smart thermostat without a C wire, contact us at 941-377-7956. We can help you select the right model for your residence and even put in new wiring if needed.