Nah, you probably don't. The box includes a C-Wire Adapter for exactly this. But first, check if you have a spare wire tucked in the wall.
Here's the drill:
- Pull the bundle of wires out from the wall a bit. Shine a flashlight. Look for an extra wire that isn't connected to your old thermostat's terminals.
- If you find one, that's your unused C-wire. Label it with the provided "C" sticker. You'll need to connect the other end at your furnace to the C-terminal.
- If there's truly no extra wire, then you use the included C-Wire Adapter.
IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: Got multiple thermostats controlling one furnace? That's a zoned system. C-Wire Adapter install is more complicated there. You might need to call a pro.
HEADS UP: A C-wire or the adapter is REQUIRED. The thermostat needs that 24V power. It won't work without it.