When you’re seeking approaches to reduce heating and cooling bills, getting a smart thermostat is a smart decision. These devices adjust to your favorite temperatures and routine and then develop an energy-efficient schedule that fits. What’s even better is that you can adjust and monitor your settings from just about anywhere with your phone, whether you’re relaxing in bed or on the go. (You might even be able to receive a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility company in Beckley.)

Most of the time, hooking up a smart home thermostat with the assistance of Appalachian Heating is an uncomplicated job if you have a more modern 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 pick the recommended thermostat and get energy savings for many years.

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

Most programmable thermostats run on 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 use this wire, your new thermostat could cause your heating and cooling system to have glitches.

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

  1. Cut power to the thermostat at the breaker.
  2. Pull off the thermostat and look at 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 typically blue.
  4. If there are three or four thin multicolored wires, you’re almost there. Make sure the C wire isn’t rolled up 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 operate your new thermostat without one.
  5. If you have two thick wires, you may be able to use 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 install new wiring.

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 might be a fit for you.

Nest says its thermostats are designed to require very little power and can frequently share it with your home comfort system. However, you may need to have a specialist like Appalachian Heating put in a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re having 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.

Depend on Appalachian Heating for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Appalachian Heating, we’re always looking for methods to keep you cozier while keeping energy costs reasonable. If you want to learn more about installing a smart thermostat without a C wire, contact us at 304-877-5566. We can help you pick the right model for your house and even install new wiring if required.