Wifi Thermostat requiring C wire

[mks07866]

Most of the thermostats available in the market require a "C" wire. When I called a pro, he was not sure how to add a "C" wire. 

Has anyone added a "C" wire to the existing setup? Running wires in a multi-floor house with six different heating zones is not an easy task. Does this mean, I cannot use wi-fi thermostats?

One of my friends has a battery-operated old nest device that runs heat only with  2-wire setups (red and white). I believe that's a first-generation thermostat and I don't seem to find one without "C" wire support.

Any practical suggestions?

[mks07866]

My Nest Learning thermostat suddenly stopped charging after one and a half years. if I take out the device charge it and put it back it will work for a few hours but then it will lose the charge and get dead again. When I charge and use it for a few hours, it works as expected and controls the temperature.

Does anyone know why the unit could stop charging suddenly?

[Markjosephp]

Hi mks07866,

Thanks for reaching out. I'd be happy to shed some light on the situation here!

Adding a C wire to your existing setup for the Nest Thermostat can be a bit challenging, especially in a multi-floor house with multiple heating zones. It's not uncommon for older systems to lack a C wire, and professionals might not always be familiar with the process. If running new wires is a difficult task, you can explore a few alternatives:

• Use the online thermostat compatibility checker tool. This can help you determine if your current wiring is compatible.
• If the first professional was unsure, consider seeking opinions from other HVAC professionals. Some may have experience with your specific setup and can provide guidance on the best course of action.

I did find a helpful article about the Nest Power Connector as an alternative to the C wire. You can review its installation process and how it works, then let us know if you have more questions.

Best,
Mark