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Smart thermostat installation & setup gives you precise control over your home's temperature and energy use from anywhere.
The catch? Your 1960s furnace probably doesn't have the wiring a smart thermostat needs. We add C-wires, verify compatibility, and configure everything so it actually works with your system—not just powers on.
Most Chicago homes built before 1990 don't have a C-wire (common wire). Smart thermostats need constant power to maintain WiFi, learn your schedule, and update displays. Here's how we solve it:
What it is: We run a dedicated 24V wire from your furnace to the thermostat
Best for: Unfinished basements, accessible wire runs
Time: 30-60 minutes
Cost: Included in installation ($250-$350 total)
What it is: Device at furnace that "creates" a C-wire from existing wires
Best for: Finished basements, long wire runs
Brands: Venstar, Fast-Stat
Cost: $30-$50 parts + installation
What it is: Plug-in adapter near thermostat (requires nearby outlet)
Best for: Impossible wire runs
Downside: Visible wire along wall
Cost: $20-$40
We assess your situation and recommend the best option during installation—no guessing.
We don't just wire it and leave. Here's the full installation process:
Old Chicago homes have HVAC quirks that break smart thermostat DIY installs:
Most smart thermostats don't work with 24V steam boiler systems. We install line-voltage adapters or recommend compatible models (Mysa, Honeywell Home T9).
Pre-1990s furnaces with mercury switches need isolation relays for smart thermostats. We install them.
2-stage furnaces or heat pumps need proper wiring configurations. We program staging correctly.
Multiple thermostats controlling dampers require zone-compatible models. We verify before installation.
Standing-pilot furnaces without transformers can't power smart thermostats. We add transformers or recommend battery-powered models.
Don't let a $200 smart thermostat damage your $1,500 furnace control board. We test first.
We install all brands, but here's honest advice:
$230-250
Best for: People who want set-it-and-forget-it learning
Pros: Beautiful design, learns patterns, Google integration
Cons: Learning takes 2-3 weeks, can be glitchy
Our take: Great if you have simple schedules. Overrated learning.
$200-250
Best for: Homes with hot/cold spots, Alexa users
Pros: Remote room sensors, voice control, most accurate
Cons: Bulkier design, more complex setup
Our take: Best overall. Room sensors actually solve comfort problems.
$180-220
Best for: People who want reliability over flashy features
Pros: Rock-solid reliability, good app, room sensors available
Cons: Less "smart" learning, basic interface
Our take: The Camry of smart thermostats. Boring, dependable.
$80
Best for: Budget-conscious, basic needs
Pros: Cheap, Alexa integration, gets the job done
Cons: No learning, no remote sensors, basic scheduling
Our take: Surprisingly good for $80. Works fine if you don't need sensors.
Bring your own or buy from us—we don't mark up retail pricing.
If your home has a C-wire already and you're comfortable with electrical work, yes. But if you see only 4 wires (R, W, Y, G), you're missing the C-wire. Installing without it causes frequent disconnects, battery drain, or furnace board damage. Our service call to fix DIY installs is $150—might as well do it right from the start.
Most smart thermostats work with 24V gas furnaces built after 1975. Exceptions: standing-pilot systems, line-voltage baseboard heat, some steam boilers. Text us a photo of your current thermostat—we'll tell you if it'll work.
EPA estimates 8% savings on heating/cooling from proper programming. The real savings come from geofencing (turning down when nobody's home) and usage insights. If you currently leave heat at 72° while you're at work, yes—big savings. If you already manually adjust daily, minimal savings.
60-90 minutes for most homes. Longer if we need to add C-wire through finished walls.
C-wire installation, compatibility testing, and complete setup included. All brands, all systems.
Smart Thermostat Installation: $250-$350
Time: 60-90 minutes | Same-day often available