Getting a Nest thermostat can exist a truthful investment for your house. If you lot switch from a transmission thermostat to a smart wifi thermostat, you will increment the condolement in your habitation and reduce a lot of the hassle of maintaining the proper temperature. Only one of the most common issues that people run into is whether or not they demand a common wire to install a Nest thermostat. If you are wondering the same thing, yous came to the right place!

The curt answer is that you don't need a common wire to install your Nest thermostat. You can just as well use a C-adapter and your device will function simply every bit well. However, experts will tell you that it is recommended to use your NEST thermostat with a C-wire.

But in social club to complete the installation procedure by yourself, there are certain aspects y'all need to consider. Y'all will detect out everything you demand to know to install a Nest thermostat without a common wire past yourself.

What is a common wire

Common wires are extremely useful as they offer your thermostat a continuous supply of power. These wires go the ability from your heating system, cooling arrangement, or your furnace, and make sure that your thermostat doesn't need to be recharged.

According to the Nest website, your Nest thermostat volition piece of work without a C-wire but specialists still recommend using an adapter if you lot can't get a C-wire installed. If your Best thermostat volition not receive a abiding period of power, it might not work properly and information technology runs out of power it will non work at all. Such issues will bear on the learning function of your thermostat and you volition not be able to enjoy all its features.

What do you lot need to install a Nest thermostat without a mutual wire

If you don't take a mutual wire you can use a C-wire adapter that will fulfill the same function as the common wire. C-wires adapters are fairly popular in such situations since they volition save you the hassle of having a mutual wire connecting your HVAC organisation to your thermostat.

You lot can observe a C-wire adapter on the marketplace for $fifty and they are all performing the same tasks. So, become the C-wire adapter that is within your upkeep and you will be able to install your thermostat in minutes.

24 volts c wire transformer
Fyve – C wire transformer – Source

You tin can too install your Nest thermostat without the C-wire adapter, case in which all you lot will demand will be the instructions of your product and a screwdriver. If you do that, brand sure y'all follow the steps required by the manufacturer and the thermostat is uniform with your dwelling heating and cooling arrangement.

How to install a Nest thermostat with a C-wire adapter

Once y'all got your Nest thermostat and your C-wire adapter, y'all tin follow these steps to install it by yourself! Brand sure you lot have your screwdriver handy every bit y'all will definitely demand it in the procedure!

Check the terminals of your Nest thermostat

Yous will need to use a screwdriver to unscrew the top cover of your thermostat. Subsequently y'all do that, you lot volition notice iv unlike terminals. The terminals are Rh final for power, G terminal for the fan control, Y1 last that controls cooling pools and W1 concluding that controls the heating loop. Likewise, while you are at this footstep, you lot will want to turn the power off and so you can move forward with safe. Make sure y'all however have natural light or a flashlight to continue with the post-obit steps, though. Ezoic

Connect the Nest thermostat

If y'all had a previous thermostat that you are replacing with your Nest thermostat, information technology will assist you to snap a picture or write down the correct connections as they volition almost likely remain the same. You will take to connect each wire to the correspondent final on your thermostat. For instance, you lot will need to connect the right wire to your heating W1 terminal so that the furnace can evangelize the heat y'all need. Consequently, you will connect a wire to Y1 final for the cooling organization and i to the G final for your fan system. Without the case of a previous thermostat, you tin find clear indications on the instructions of your new thermostat so make sure to cheque those also.

Install the adapter

One time your wire connections are made correctly, you can add the C-wire adapter. You will connect ane wire of the adapter to the Rh terminal and the second wire of the adapter to the C terminal. Such C-wires adapters come with only 2 wires and it doesn't matter which wire you connect to these two terminals. It is of import to connect your wires in such a way that but the insulation tin can be seen from the outside of the terminal.

If you lot complete this step correctly, there will always exist power betwixt the Rh and C terminals, allowing your Nest thermostat to run smoothly and without shortcomings.

Assemble the thermostat back

Now that your C-wire adapter is installed, you lot will add together the case of the thermostat back on and make sure yous spiral it in tightly. It is important to leave the ability off until y'all are sure that your thermostat is put together securely. Once you installed the Nest thermostat it is safety to turn the ability back on and enjoy the new comfort of your home! Give your thermostat a few hours to adjust to your home organisation and start learning the needs you have before you decide if you are satisfied of information technology or not. These thermostats adjust to each domicile over fourth dimension and eventually, y'all will have the perfect temperature with no effort on your role!

Extra step: Check the current that your Nest thermostat receives

With a C-wire adapter, the amount of current that will get to your thermostat should be a minimum of 20 mA and then if yous get this value, everything works properly. If you don't have a constant power getting to your thermostat, it means that the adapter was not connected the right style. For Nest thermostats that are installed without a C-wire adapter, there is a charging port that you can apply to recharge your thermostat as needed.

Can I install a Nest thermostat with no C-wire and no C-wire adapter?

Yes, yous also have the option to setup your Nest thermostat without any common wire or adapter, every bit the company too states on their website. If you do that, you will have to follow the installation steps indicated on your Nest thermostat instructions as these steps are explained for each model in particular.

Nest thermostats that piece of work without a C-wire or an adapter will need to be charged through their charging port. Y'all tin expect to charge your thermostat for a couple of hours and employ information technology for 24 to 48 hours until y'all need to charge it once more, depending on the arrangement you have in your home.

Final thoughts

You lot tin can follow the steps in this guide to install your Nest thermostat by yourself, with no hassle, even if you don't have experience in the affair. However, if you accept any doubts regarding the safety aspect in your home, it is of import to work with a professional person electrician when y'all install your thermostat. Make sure to also check the information that comes with your Nest thermostat as the instructions of your device volition exist very valuable in the process.