When you’re wanting approaches to decrease heating and cooling costs, getting a smart thermostat is a wise decision. These devices adjust to your favorite temperatures and routine and then make an energy-efficient schedule that matches. What’s even better is that you can adjust 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 supplier in Hasbrouck Heights.)

In many instances, installing a smart home thermostat with the support of ACE Solutions is an uncomplicated task if you have a newer house. But what if your house 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 select the recommended thermostat and receive energy savings for years to come.

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

Most programmable thermostats run on batteries. When you’re making the move to a smart thermostat, you’ll find that many need 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 malfunction.

You can find out 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 you need 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 tucked 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 run a smart thermostat with an adaptor designed for high-voltage systems. Or you may be able to use a battery-powered smart thermostat, like the Lux Geo Wi-Fi Thermostat, if your wiring won’t work and you don’t want to put in new wiring.

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 designed to require very little power and can often share it with your heating and cooling system. However, you may need to have a professional like ACE Solutions add a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re experiencing power problems or a battery that’s constantly drained.

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

Rely on ACE Solutions for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At ACE Solutions, we’re always looking for methods to keep you cozier while keeping energy bills reasonable. If you have questions about switching to a smart thermostat without a C wire, contact us at 201-579-2562. We can help you choose the right model for your home and even put in new wiring if needed.