The best smart thermostats that do not require a C-wire Android Central 2021
Because of their advanced LED displays and WiFi-powered functions, many smart thermostats require a common wire (or C wire). This is why homeowners with older heating systems should look for thermostats that do not require a C-wire requirement. These smart thermostats can be used without a C-wire in your existing system. They use separate power sources or adapters to monitor your home's climate and allow you to monitor it without hiring a professional to do so.
No C wire? It's not a problem (mostly).
A majority of older homes and cooling/heating systems don't require a C-wire. These smart thermostats, even if you aren't comfortable with installing it yourself or hiring an electrician to do so, will still help reduce your energy bills. Some thermostats require batteries that you will need to replace, while others may require an extension kit which will still require some wiring. These thermostats are some of the most reliable, so you don't have to worry about a C-wire requirement.
Nest ThermostatE is a simple, battery-powered thermostat that's easy to use. It's also very affordable. The Nest Thermostat E has many smart features, including motion and multi-room sensing as well as Alexa and Google Assistant commands and an auto-away mode. It's an old thermostat and Google has mostly moved to the new Nest. We found out that the Nest Thermostat E is a superior choice than the Nest Thermostat.
The ability of your Nest Learning Thermostat or Nest Learning Thermostat to work with a Power Connector will vary from one home to the next. Ecobee is a better choice for consistency.
A Nest Thermostat, or an older Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation), requires slightly more power than the Nest E. This could make it vulnerable to being compromised without a C Wire. Google released the new Google Nest Power Connector, which bypassed the C Wire requirement. However, some reviewers reported that the low-power issues they had didn't disappear even after using the new Power Connector. The ability to use a Nest without a C Wire will vary from one home to another.
The ecobee SmartThermostat requires you to install a power extension kit in order to replace the C wire. They were designed by ecobee with easy DIY installation in mind. It's the smartest thermostat that can control multiple zones. This is great for large homes with unevenly heated rooms. Ecobee's smart thermostat is the best in its class, and the price reflects that.
If you feel brave, you can use a Venstar kit to install new HVAC-compatible wires. This tool can be used to install any smart thermostat that is compatible with your home's heating or cooling.
