When you’re looking for methods to reduce heating and cooling bills, getting a smart thermostat is a wise decision. These devices learn your favorite temperatures and routine and then make an energy-efficient schedule that matches. What’s even better is that you can adjust and watch your settings from just about anywhere with your phone, whether you’re lying in bed or out and about. (You might even be able to get a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility supplier in Chadron.)

Most of the time, installing a smart home thermostat with the support of MPC Heating & Cooling is an uncomplicated task if you have a more modern 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 figure out the process so you can pick the ideal thermostat and enjoy energy savings for a long time.

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

Most programmable thermostats use batteries. When you’re making the move 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 determine if you have a C wire by doing the following:

  1. Turn 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 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 nearly 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 use 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 might work for your home.

Nest says its thermostats are created to require minimal power and can often share it with your HVAC system. However, you may need to have a pro like MPC Heating & Cooling put in a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re running into power problems or a battery that’s frequently drained.

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

Depend on MPC Heating & Cooling for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At MPC Heating & Cooling, we’re always on the lookout for methods to keep you more comfortable while keeping heating and cooling expenses reasonable. If you want to learn more about switching to a smart thermostat without a C wire, give us a call at 308-832-4321. We can help you choose the right model for your home and even put in new wiring if required.