When you’re wanting methods to decrease heating and cooling costs, getting a smart thermostat is a smart move. 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 adjust and watch your settings from nearly anywhere with your phone, whether you’re sitting in bed or on the go. (You might even be eligible for a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility supplier in Omaha.)

Most of the time, hooking up a smart home thermostat with the help of The Frazier Company is an uncomplicated task if you have a newer house. But what if your residence is older or doesn’t have the proper wiring? Can you still install a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you figure out the process so you can choose the right thermostat and get energy savings for a long time.

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

The majority of programmable thermostats run on batteries. When you’re making the move to a smart thermostat, you’ll find that many require 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 find the wiring.
  3. If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what’s required for a smart thermostat. You might be thinking what color is the C wire on a thermostat—and the answer to that is usually blue.
  4. 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 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 won’t work and you don’t want to replace it.

Do Nest or ecobee Need a C Wire?

Two of the most popular 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 require not a lot of power and can typically share it with your home comfort system. However, you may need to have a pro like The Frazier Company 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 constantly drained.

ecobee works 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 The Frazier Company for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At The Frazier Company, we’re always seeking methods to keep you cozier while keeping utility expenses reasonable. If you want to learn more about installing a smart thermostat without a C wire, contact us at 402-628-0206. We can help you choose the right model for your house and even install new wiring if necessary.