When you’re wanting approaches to lower heating and cooling costs, getting a smart thermostat is a smart move. These devices learn your favorite temperatures and routine and then develop an energy-efficient schedule that matches. What’s even better is that you can adjust and keep an eye on your settings from almost anywhere with your phone, whether you’re relaxing in bed or away from home. (You might even be able to get a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility company in Safford.)

Most of the time, installing a smart home thermostat with the assistance of B&D Air Conditioning is an uncomplicated job if you have a new house. But what if your house is older or doesn’t have the right wiring? Can you still add a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you demystify the process so you can pick the recommended thermostat and receive energy savings for many years.

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

Most programmable thermostats use batteries. When you’re upgrading to a smart thermostat, you’ll learn that many have to have a C wire, or common wire, for power. If you don’t use this wire, your new thermostat might cause your heating and cooling system to have glitches.

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

  1. Switch off power to the thermostat at the breaker.
  2. Pull off the thermostat and find the wiring.
  3. If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what’s needed for a smart thermostat. You might be wondering 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 in the wall. If you can’t find one, we may be able to install 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 just 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 may be a fit for your needs.

Nest says its thermostats are designed to consume not a lot of power and can often share it with your HVAC system. However, you may need to have a professional like B&D Air Conditioning install a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re experiencing 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 B&D Air Conditioning for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At B&D Air Conditioning, we’re always looking for methods to keep you comfier while keeping heating and cooling costs reasonable. If you have questions about switching to a smart thermostat without a C wire, reach us at 928-432-6018. We can help you pick the right model for your residence and even install new wiring if necessary.