How should you wire your new home for a Smart Thermostat?
What Wire Should You Use For Your Nest Thermostat or Smart Thermostat?
How can you make your new home Ecobee smart thermostat & Nest Thermostat compatible?
Most smart thermostats can operate with just the standard 4 wire configuration (red, white, green, and yellow) a 4 wire configuration will allow you to control your heating, cooling and your fan. But some HVAC systems need a 5th wire to provide constant power to the thermostat. The Ecobee Thermostat needs a common wire or a common wire converter installed so its best to just install an extra common wire for the thermostat if you are building a new home. The Nest Thermostat does not require a common wire but it’s a good idea to install it with a common wire if possible because it will extend the internal battery life and optimize the performance of the Nest Thermostat.
If you are building a new house or remodeling your house and have a standard HVAC system you should use at least a 5 wire configuration that includes a common wire to ensure that your new system will be compatible with a smart thermostat.
This is because the 5th wire can be utilized as a common wire. With the common wire it will allow your smart thermostat to charge whenever it is needed and can enhance the WiFi range and connectivity of the thermostat.
WARNING: 5 WIRES WILL ONLY WORK FOR STANDARD HVAC SYSTEMS, IF YOU HAVE A HEAT PUMP OR MULTI STAGE HEATING AND COOLING YOU SHOULD USE 8 WIRE THERMOSTAT WIRING.
We recommend using the following type of 18 gauge 5 strand thermostat wiring, for standard HVAC systems. If you have multi stage heating and cooling or heat pump you should use the 18 gauge 8 strand wiring.
Standard HVAC 5 Strand Wiring for Nest Smart Thermostats
If you have a heat pump or multi-stage heating or cooling you should use 18 gauge 8 strand thermostat wiring to ensure you have enough wires to properly power your smart thermostat.