Frequently Asked Questions

CLIQ is a smart thermostat system that lowers your energy bills and puts comfort where you need it. Starting at just $69, CLIQ installs in minutes with no C-wire required, no electrician needed, and no complicated setup. It works with most standard residential HVAC systems and is designed for everyday homeowners who want real savings without the hassle.

CLIQ is built by Walnut Technology Corporation, a team with deep roots in consumer electronics. The founders previously helped create Blink Security Cameras, one of the most successful smart home brands in the U.S. That same focus on simplicity, affordability, and real-world usability drives everything about CLIQ.

If you own a home, want to cut energy costs without turning it into a weekend project, and don't want to spend hundreds of dollars: CLIQ is for you. You don't need to be a tech person. You don't need a smart home ecosystem. You just need your heating and cooling to work better and cost less.

CLIQ is launching on Kickstarter in May, with shipping starting in June 2026. Join the waitlist to be first in line. We'll notify you directly with availability, pricing, and early ordering options.

The CLIQ Single System (one Main Thermostat + one hub) starts at $69. The Double Bundle (one Main Thermostat + one Child Thermostat + one hub) is $99. A Main Thermostat Add-On is $49.99 for existing CLIQ customers adding a second zone. The CLIQ app is free and included with every system. An Advanced subscription with AI-powered automation and intelligent alerts is coming after the initial launch at $19.99 per year. Customers who order within the first 90 days receive Advanced free for life.

Yes. CLIQ is designed for DIY installation: no electrician, no contractor, no special tools. In many cases, it clicks directly into your existing wall plate. If your wall plate isn't compatible, CLIQ includes step-by-step instructions and a video walkthrough. Most people are done in just a few minutes.

A C-wire (short for "common wire") is an extra wire in your thermostat's wiring that provides continuous 24-volt power. Most smart thermostats need this constant power to run their Wi-Fi radios, backlit displays, and smart features. The problem is that many homes (especially those built before the 1990s) don't have a C-wire. That means homeowners often face expensive rewiring or adapter kits just to install a smart thermostat. It's one of the biggest barriers to smart thermostat adoption.

No. CLIQ runs on two standard AAA batteries with up to three years of battery life. It doesn't need a C-wire, a power adapter, or any rewiring. If your home has one, great, but you won't need it. This is what makes CLIQ compatible with virtually any home, including older homes that have been left behind by other smart thermostats.

In many cases, yes. CLIQ is designed to be compatible with many standard thermostat wall plates, so it can click right into place with no new holes and no new wiring. If your existing wall plate isn't compatible, swapping it out is simple: CLIQ includes everything you need plus a step-by-step video walkthrough.

The Single System ($69) includes one CLIQ Main Thermostat, one CLIQ Hub, a wall mounting screw kit, wiring stickers, and a welcome card with QR code. The Double Bundle ($99) includes one CLIQ Main Thermostat, one CLIQ Child Thermostat, one CLIQ Hub, and the same accessories. The Child Thermostat is wireless: it requires no HVAC wiring and can be placed anywhere in the same zone as the Main Thermostat.

CLIQ is designed to work with most standard U.S. residential 24V low-voltage HVAC systems, including gas furnaces, electric heating systems, central air conditioning, and heat pumps. Note: CLIQ does not support line-voltage systems (common in older electric baseboard or radiant heating setups). A full compatibility list will be published at launch. In the meantime, join the waitlist and you'll get access to a quick compatibility checker before you order.

Yes. CLIQ supports heat pump systems, including setups with auxiliary or backup heat. During app setup, CLIQ will ask about your system type and configure itself accordingly, with no manual configuration required.

Older homes are exactly where CLIQ shines. Many smart thermostats require a C-wire that older homes simply don't have, leaving homeowners stuck with outdated equipment or facing expensive rewiring. Because CLIQ runs on AAA batteries and doesn't need a C-wire, it's built to work in homes that other smart thermostats can't. If your home has a standard thermostat on the wall today, there's a very good chance CLIQ will work for you.

The free CLIQ app (iOS and Android) gives you full control of your thermostat from anywhere: adjust temperature, set schedules, switch between Home and Away modes, use ECO Mode to save energy automatically, monitor real-time energy usage, and manage multiple thermostats. Family Mode (coming Q3 2026) lets you control who can adjust the thermostat and set temperature limits. The optional Advanced subscription ($19.99/year) is coming after the initial launch and adds AI-driven automation that learns your patterns and optimizes your schedule over time, plus intelligent emergency alerts and monthly energy reports. Customers who order within the first 90 days receive Advanced free for life.

Basic is free and included with every CLIQ system. It gives you full smart thermostat control: remote access, scheduling, Home & Away modes, ECO Mode, Family Mode (coming Q3 2026), and energy monitoring.

Advanced is $19.99 per year and launches after the initial release. It adds AI-powered intelligence: the system learns your home's patterns, optimizes your schedule automatically, detects anomalies in your HVAC system, sends intelligent emergency alerts to you and your key contacts, and delivers monthly AI-powered energy reports with cost forecasting. Customers who order within the first 90 days receive Advanced free for life.

Yes. Out of the box, CLIQ works as a standard thermostat: no app, no hub, and no internet required. You can adjust the temperature, switch between heat, cool, and auto modes, and control the fan directly from the device. Once you connect it to the app via the hub and Wi-Fi, you unlock scheduling, remote access, energy monitoring, and all the smart features. But the thermostat always works on its own, even if your Wi-Fi goes down.

According to ENERGY STAR and the U.S. Department of Energy, smart thermostats can save homeowners an average of 8% to 10% on heating and cooling costs. For a typical household, that can mean $100 to $200 or more per year in savings, depending on your climate, energy rates, home size, and usage patterns. The savings come from smarter scheduling, reduced waste when you're away or asleep, and better visibility into how your system runs.

CLIQ helps you save in several ways. Scheduling lets you automatically lower energy use when you're asleep or away. Home & Away modes stop you from heating or cooling an empty house. ECO Mode optimizes your system's output to reduce waste. Energy monitoring shows you exactly what's happening so you can make smarter choices. And because CLIQ starts at just $69, far less than competitors at $129 to $249, so your payback period is shorter. With the optional Advanced plan, CLIQ's AI learns your patterns and continuously optimizes to push your savings even further.

Absolutely. CLIQ is built for installers who want a smart thermostat that simply works: no callbacks, no complicated wiring, and no margin pressure. You can offer customers a modern smart thermostat experience without cutting into your profit or turning a quick job into a long install. Because CLIQ doesn't require a C-wire, it works in more homes with fewer surprises. Wholesale and distributor programs are planned for later in 2026, making it easy for pros to stock, sell, and install CLIQ with confidence.