When you’re wanting approaches to reduce energy costs, getting a smart thermostat is a wise idea. These devices pick up on your favorite temperatures and routine and then create an energy-efficient schedule to match. What’s even better is that you can change and monitor your settings from nearly anywhere with your phone, whether you’re lying in bed or away from home. (You might even be able to get a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility provider in Wausau.)

In many instances, adding a smart home thermostat with the help of Gilray Heating and Cooling is a straightforward process if you have a new house. But what if your residence is older or doesn’t have the right wiring? Can you still install a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you demystify the process so you can choose the proper thermostat and receive energy savings for a long time.

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 need a C wire, or common wire, for power. If you don’t use this wire, your new thermostat may 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. Take off the thermostat and check 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 often blue.
  4. If there are three or four thin multicolored wires, you’re close. Check the C wire isn’t rolled up in 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 install a battery-powered smart thermostat, like the Lux Geo Wi-Fi Thermostat, if your wiring isn’t right and you don’t want to replace it.

Do Nest or ecobee Need a C Wire?

Two of the top brands are the Nest smart thermostat and ecobee smart thermostat. If you have two to four wires, these thermostats might be a fit for your home.

Nest says its thermostats are made to consume very little power and can often share it with your home comfort system. However, you may need to have a pro like Gilray Heating and Cooling 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 always drained.

ecobee works with 24-volt systems (ones with three to six thermostat wires) and includes a C wire adaptor. So, you’re taken care of if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.

Rely on Gilray Heating and Cooling for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Gilray Heating and Cooling, we’re always seeking methods to keep you cozier while keeping energy costs reasonable. If you want to learn more about switching to a smart thermostat without a C wire, contact us at 715-301-0727. We can help you pick the right model for your residence and even put in new wiring if necessary.