When you’re seeking approaches to lower utility bills, getting a smart thermostat is a smart move. These devices adjust to your favorite temperatures and routine and then make an energy-efficient schedule to match. 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 out and about. (You might even be able to receive a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility supplier in Oxford.)

In many instances, hooking up a smart home thermostat with the assistance of Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc is a simple job if you have a new house. But what if your home is older or doesn’t have the correct wiring? Can you still have a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you demystify the process so you can choose the proper thermostat and get energy savings for many years.

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

Many programmable thermostats use batteries. When you’re making the move to a smart thermostat, you’ll learn that many need 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 malfunctions.

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. Take off the thermostat and look at 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 typically blue.
  4. If there are three or four thin multicolored wires, you’re nearly 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 use a smart thermostat with an adaptor specifically 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 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 might be a match for your home.

Nest says its thermostats are made to consume very little power and can frequently share it with your heating and cooling system. However, you may need to have a specialist like Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc add 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 includes a C wire adaptor. So, you’re covered if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.

Trust Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc, we’re always looking for methods to keep you more comfortable while keeping heating and cooling expenses reasonable. If you want to know more about installing a smart thermostat without a C wire, give us a call at 662-281-1231. We can help you choose the right model for your house and even put in new wiring if necessary.