The C-wire problem
Most smart thermostats need steady power through a common wire, the "C wire". Many older homes have a thin thermostat cable with no spare wire for it. The fix is a new cable, an adapter at the furnace, or a model designed to work without one. It should be chosen for your system, not found by trial and error.
Heat pumps and hybrid systems
A heat pump needs a thermostat that understands it: the reversing valve, the backup heat, and the outdoor temperature where a hybrid system switches to the gas furnace. Set up wrong, it can run expensive backup heat all winter without anyone noticing. We set those values for your equipment and the house.
Settings worth getting right
- Setbacks. A modest overnight setback suits a furnace. With a heat pump, a big setback can make the backup heat kick in every morning to catch up.
- Humidifier control. Many smart thermostats can run the humidifier and lower its target as it gets colder outside.
- Room sensors. If a bedroom over the garage or a basement office always runs cold, a remote sensor lets the thermostat pay attention to it.