When putting out heat mode signal, I have no power emitting from my W terminal wire, which is my connection to my relay. Your email address will not be published. Some thermostats, such as the popular Nest thermostat, have tried to get around the no c wire problem by using a technique commonly referred to as power stealing. The need for a common wire, or "c-wire," depends on which Sensi thermostat model you have and your system type. Also, if you purchase an ecobee or Nest thermostat (Compare ecobee vs Nest: Which is better? That means if for some reason the Sensi server goes down, you will not be able to connect to your thermostat. Im not sure how to connect to the Nest Pros though. Designed to work with the wires you already have, Sensi thermostat does not require a common wire (c-wire) for most installations, so it is compatible with the HVAC equipment in many homes in U.S. and Canada. Air Conditioner Repair Help Videos. I have a very old Honeywell programmable thermostat. Or can I turn on my fan only if I want to ? This has not been addressed as of Aug 2022. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Smart thermostats are supposed to make our lives easier. Or, you may make a vacation schedule that saves as much energy as possible while you are gone. Why is that not in the manual? Hope this helps a few people understand what the C wire is about. Typically the controller is part of the furnace. The thermostat may have been great when most homes ran on 2.4 GHz channels. NextGen Smart Firewall offers greater bandwidth, updated user-friendly interface and more granular roles for robust, easy-to-configure perimeter security AUSTIN, Texas (May 16, 2023) - Emerson, a global software and engineering leader, is improving perimeter security for the DeltaV distributed control system (DCS) with its new NextGen Smart Firewall, a purpose-built control system . Great product. The most common type of system that qualifies here will be a heat pump with an auxiliary heat source. Why you might NOT save money with a smart thermostat, Server outage? Using a c wire is the best way to provide the constant power that is required. He dreams of someday living in a castle on an island but for now will settle for smalltown, USA. app or online access. Select a plan . On my current Tstat, I have an RH and a W wire. Also a jumper from y to g is required at the furnace with this method. On one of my units, with a new control board and a C wire the unit will not allow the heat to run, kills the flame after a second or two. Doing in summer because I dont need the heat but the furnace has been off. and connected my C wire to it. three years ago I bought a smart thermostat, installed it and it didn't work. Eric, A c-wire is required for heat-only, cool-only and heat pump (without aux) systems and for use with Apple HomeKit. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct. Nest 3rd gen: whats new, and is it worth upgrading? First story of aliens pretending to be humans especially a "human" family (like Coneheads) that is trying to fit in, maybe for a long time? Its always possible theyll add it. I think Ive read through most of the comments and your corrections but I think something needs clarification. The Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat (ST75) and ST75 Touch Smart Thermostat are both compatible with the app. It seems to me that it would be something relatively easy to add as a software update. Whichever wire matches the color, should be your c wire. Each Emerson Sensi thermostat comes with a pair of regular AA batteries. Using the free Wink app, you can control all your Wink supported devices including your Sensi thermostat from one easy to use app. Theres a few different manufacturers that make the add-a-wire kits. Just set the schedule exactly as you want it and the Sensi thermostat figures out the rest. But, to be fair, that article is a couple years old and battery technology moves fast. Dont worry, its not that big of a deal to add a c wire. It is the other wire needed by the electronics in the newer thermostats in order to power up their "smarts". Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. For example, if you work rotating shifts, you may set up a schedule for each shift. Thermostatic Controls - W-R 1311-102 zone valves/3-wire stats & Emerson Sensi Smart Stat - I am replacing 1 of 3 WR 3-wire thermostats with a Sensi Smart Thermostat. It shows that you vonnect Rh wire to it and it gives you 2 wires one to connect to Rh and other to C. I thought C was the 0vdc wire. Ah, but now were city folks, and life is still good. For proper functionality, Emerson Sensi Touch Smart Thermostats do require a C-wire. I live in New Orleans & it super hot & humid this time of yr. I believe I have this problem. Simply search for "Sensi" and download to your device to get started. I did not have a c wire, but they too send a magnetic wiring Puck to hook up on the main unit to go from 5 to 4. Its digital Honeywell.do you think this C wire is my problem? The Sensi is compatible with the majority of combined heating/cooling systems. Modern thermostats control your HVAC system with the same connections. Although there are some best practices, there are no strict standards that wire name and color adhere to. I am trying to power an inline garage 240v heater via a 24v relay using a nest e. I have the 24v adapter to the R terminal and to the C terminal. Do you know if Emerson/Sensi are going to implement some sort of fix for the rather short cycles fast , medium , slow they offer. Now that you know what the c wire is, you may be asking yourself, why do I want it? However, when I went to my HVAC system control panel there is a c wire connected to it but Im sure it doesnt belong to the thermostat but to my outside a/c unit. It is recommended that people with boiler type systems use the slow setting. If you have no C-wire, the Sensi will only work for you if you have both heating and cooling. Read on for. Id like to just use the B wire, and wondering if I can? The thermostat can charge its backup battery when the equipment is running but tends to slowly discharge when the equipment is not running. Our current thermostat runs off of AA batteries. See how the two are in conflict? The "other end" of the C wire is hooked to the other side of the transformer that supplies juice to the R or red wire. Either with or without a C-wire the Sensi is a good option. Our Emerson Sensi WiFithermostat rating:(4.5/5). I believe my only solution is to run a separate transformer to power the Ecobee, as you outline here. There is one huge missing feature, however, and its not usage reports. Is it hardwired or does it run only on batteries? [] thereare better smart thermostatsout that also happen to cost less. i believe you can essentially change the differentials by the cycle setting in the app. Consider pulling up Google Earth and enter Raspberry Island in Alaskaits one of the islands in the Kodiak archipelago. 5 possible causes and potential solutions. Too many cycles. connection means youre SOL in changing ones program Say you want the fan to come on when you go to bed and stay on until you get up Sensi didnt make this available in the app. I wonder if this is why I have had to replace my Nest four times (about every three-four months) since I have moved into my house. No extra wire in the wall. Many users that I know (Ive had 4 friends install one) have complained about the inability to set their own custom swing. My husband died and learning to do things on my own. The Emerson Sensi is our go-to smart thermostat recommendation for installations without a C-wire, shoppers on a budget, and anyone in need of a simple smart thermostat that still does virtually everything you might want it to. Without a "C" wire installed, the Wi-Fi connection There is a similar problem with the Ecobee. Many people without a c-wire have ended up experiencing connectivity problems. amount of power from the cooling system to power the Wi-Fi radio. As for the bit about batteries lose 20% per year? In this case, the c wire is just a return wire, so it doesnt really power anything. The power comes from the hot wire which is usually the Rc or Rh wire. Air conditioner compressor won't run. If you want to get a WiFi thermostat, I strongly recommend it. Venstar ACC0410 Add-A-Wire Accessory | Check Price. When I checked my old thermostat, most of the time the measurement and setpoint agreed. Im case it matters, my boiler has 2 other old mercury Tstats on 2 other zones. Grant, Review: Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Thermostat (1F86U-42WF), smartthermostatguide.com, May 14, []. I was just trying to save $$ from calling a tech. I don't need both heat and AC wire at the same time as noted above. Provide the MAC ID located on the back of the faceplate to the agent. Its called a smart thermostat for a reason! Related Posts. I added the 24v transformer option to the article, My control panel is well hidden so I found a wire that has 24V Either way, the keypad lockout feature of the Sensi gives you what you want. If you can handle programming a smart thermostat, you can figure out how to add a c wire. I would defer to the advice of their rep. For now, it works if you remove the c-wire, right? The Emerson Sensi is our go-to smart thermostat recommendation for installations without a C-wire, shoppers on a budget, and anyone in need of a "simple" smart thermostat that still does virtually everything you might want it to. They have become expensive normal thermostats that i could have got for $8 at home depot. Replaced & same problem. I had to wire the cool section to run the furnace; figure that out. This feature is the Sensis way of making sure you dont freeze on your way to the kitchen for your morning coffee. No matter what you buy, you may experience sensor drift and or calibration issues. []. This explanation intentionally ignores lots of details that are not relevant to a basic understanding of the concept. I dislike APPLE products as they they are WAY overpriced, and Android is too ICONY for my tastes and a bit confusing for an OLD DOS nerd like me. A 24 V DC transformer will not work as a c wire. I am going to replace it with a White-Rodgers UP500W Emerson Sensi WiFi Thermostat. You could potentially power the Sensi just on batteries, but that would require turning the Wi . Their options now are run a c wire or buy a kit that replaces it. I guess cooling and fan should be turned on/off at the same time. Can I? Thanks. But still have a question. The c stands for common. It's more common to use the blue wire, but it really doesn't matter which one you use. The c wire is an extra wire that can be used to provide a return path for continuous 24V power for any application. Without a "C" wire installed, the Wi-Fi connection will drop off after about two hours to preserve the AA batteries. You simply hook a control station to where your original thermostat was and then there is a wireless thermostat that you could put anywhere that connects to this control station. The box says it does not require a C wire on most systems. It does require 110v as a source but then I just ran one wire to RC and the other to C and everything is working fine. If the thermostat turns on, you should be good. Great thermostat although the one I have is defective. If not, it likely means the blue wire is not connected on the other end. The Emerson Sensi Touch thermostat does have a large high definition (HD) touchscreen with the possibility to customize it. Scheduling, overrides, and settings areright there on the smartphone app, which isnice looking and easyto figure out. Or dont, andstart shopping right now with the link below. When the system is turned on, the switching threshold is met, you can continue to increase current as much as you need to give the battery a quick charge without any side effects on the system. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Note to readers:Some links on SmartThermostatGuide.com are affiliate links. I replaced my router and cell and got support to remove them from registration and since then ZERO connectivity. Installation Does my Sensi thermostat need a common wire, or "c-wire"? Dont get stuck pulling your hair out trying to run a smart thermostat without a c wire. Cant wait for them to arrive. (Ive edited the name and location out of these screenshots because this is one of my own, not manufacturers screenshots.). When I jumper the white and red together at the control board the flame stays on. So my real life experience definitely does NOT reflect a 10 year life span. Different schedules for different days. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. I have Rc, W, Y, and G connected.I just wonder how it works if I use a adapter, connectting G and Y together at tstat side. Today, after the thermostat had been installed and left alone and running for 16 hours or so I noticed that the measurement was rock steady and matched the set-point. Early start feature starts heating or cooling ahead of time so the house is at the desired temp by the time you want it to be that temp. With updated firmware, when Auto is selected for the Fan operation, the user can interfere with the operation of the fan. Smart thermostats use too much power to be run by batteries. Try it without the c-wire and see if it works. So if thats you, listen up! In-App Features: Remote temperature control. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Now that I wanted a wifi smart thermostat the green g wire has been repurposed, Eric, I hope you are still replying here. I recommend wifi thermostats like Lennoxs (I enjoy 1 at my cabin), [] B. However, in rare cases you may experience issues. Sometimes they are separate wires and require separate connections. If you plan on getting a smart thermostat and dont have a c wire, please save yourself some headaches and get one. You can think of it very much like 3 separate mechanical on/off switches. Why did I have to change the wiring to use a smart WiFi thermostat? In that case, a 24V adapter would be the easiest fix (unless youre up for crawling under the house). Sensi Thermostat I have two questions: 1. the Wi-Fi radio. He enjoys technology, sports, outdoors, and dabbles in the dark realm of politics. Some users have even reported having to replace batteries every couple weeks. The app is available for iOS (reviews and screenshots) and Android (reviews and screenshots). EMERSON Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Touchscreen Color Display, Works with Alexa, Energy Star Certified, C-wire Required, ST75W , . Am I way off base with any of this? Learn more 3-Year Protection $21.99. Most fans are single speed fans. In order to have a circuit that power can flow through, wires need to connect back to the HVAC control board to complete the loop. If your home is already finished, this means trying to fish the new wire through the walls without destroying them. Visit support.sensicomfort.com and search "router compatibility" for a list of known incompatible routers. I dont have any experience with boiler systems, but what youve described sounds correct to me. 2023 Smart Thermostat Guide, WiFi-enabled thermostat reviews and comparisons, on Emerson Sensi review: a great WiFi thermostat at an affordable price, Review: LUX Geo smart thermostat (GEO-WH-003 / GEO-BL-003), Review: Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen.) keeps pace with the competition, fitbit charge wireless activity & sleep band, Review: 2GIG CT100 Z-Wave Programmable Thermostat. You have a c wire! Nobody wants to be replacing batteries once per week or even once every couple months. The best smart thermostat for any home is one that offers ample control to heat or cool a home as needed. From there, you can set up custom rules to create a more automated experience. I found a c wire adapter online. Hi Eric, No internet [], [] The Emerson Sensi is far easier on the budget than most smart thermostats, but not much lighter on features. Did your HVAC provider mention anything about the wire-saver option? looking to use this for my heat pump / forced air propane dual fuel system. C on the thermostat and vola my thermostat does not power up. Then the hassle begins reprogramming. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. My plan is to pull new 18/5 wire through the walls. Given your recommendation to add a C-wire even if using the Sensi brand. Eric It ensures a noiseless operation - In most homes, the 'low' settings in the 2-stage thermostat is what is mostly used. You can still buy the Pro version but if you need to use the warranty within the 5 years, you will have to call a company to have it switched and honor the warranty which can cost you more at the end. If you have another wire not being used connected it to the power of your furnace. Its minor, but a degree Fahrenheit is about twice as precise as a degree Celsius and you lose that precision using the unit with metric units. Am I wasting money on this attempt to fix my C wire issue? The power stealing with the Nest may work fine at first, but as the battery gets older, you may end up with problems. Thanks. [] a budget-friendly smart thermostat (and not a home automation hub to go with it), check out the Sensi []. On I have to change them every two months. One additional method for no c wire is stealing the g wire and moving it over to the c wire connection at the thermostat and furnace. The Emerson Sensi Is Available For Purchase AtAmazon. Air conditioner coils freezing. Although we have 4 zones, the AC is only controlled from the thermostat that will be replaced with the ecobee4).