Real answers about installation, savings, compatibility, and what makes CliQ different from every other smart thermostat.
About CliQ
What it is, who makes it, and why it exists.
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 in 2026. Join the waitlist to be first in line — we'll notify you directly with availability and early ordering options.
The CliQ Single Thermostat (one Main Thermostat + one hub) starts at $69.99. The Single Zone Kit (one Main Thermostat + one Remote Thermostat + one hub) is $99.99. A Main Thermostat Add-On is $49.99 and a Remote Thermostat Add-On is $49.99, both available Q3 2026 for existing CliQ customers. The CliQ app is free and included with every system.
Installation & Setup
No electrician. No C-wire. No problem.
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. Traditional smart thermostats need a C-wire because they're single-device systems — one unit on the wall handling Wi-Fi, cloud connectivity, and everything else. Sustaining a Wi-Fi connection takes constant power, and constant power means house power. That's the C-wire. CliQ's system is designed differently. The connectivity burden doesn't live on the wall thermostat, so the thermostat doesn't need constant house power — and no C-wire. Not as a workaround. That's just how CliQ is built. No adapter, no rewiring, no electrician required.
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 Thermostat ($69.99) includes one CliQ Main Thermostat, one CliQ Hub, a wall mounting screw kit, wiring stickers, and a welcome card with QR code. The Single Zone Kit ($99.99) includes one CliQ Main Thermostat, one CliQ Remote Thermostat, one CliQ Hub, and the same accessories. The Remote Thermostat is wireless: it requires no HVAC wiring and can be placed anywhere in the same zone as the Main Thermostat.
Compatibility
What systems and homes CliQ works with.
CliQ is designed to work with most standard U.S. residential 24V low-voltage HVAC systems, including gas furnaces, electric heating systems, and central air conditioning. Note: CliQ does not support heat pump systems or 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.
No. CliQ is not currently compatible with heat pump systems. It works with standard 24V low-voltage HVAC systems including gas furnaces, electric heating systems, and central air conditioning.
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. CliQ's system is designed so the thermostat doesn't need constant house power — which means no C-wire required, no adapter, no electrician. If your home has a standard thermostat on the wall today, there's a very good chance CliQ will work for you.
App & Features
What you can do with the free CliQ app.
No. The CliQ app and all core smart thermostat features are free — no monthly fee, no subscription required.
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 Q4 2026) lets you control who can adjust the thermostat and set temperature limits.
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.
Energy Savings
How much you can save and how CliQ makes it happen.
The U.S. Department of Energy says homeowners can save up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by consistently adjusting temperatures when away or asleep — at today's average energy costs, that's as much as $150 to $180 per year. ENERGY STAR independently verifies an average of 8% for certified smart thermostats. Your actual savings will vary based on climate, home size, and energy rates — but with residential electricity bills up nearly 30% since 2019, the payback window keeps getting shorter.
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, your payback period is shorter.
We're currently working through the Energy Star certification process. We'll update this page as soon as it's confirmed.
Demand response and OpenADR compatibility are in development. We'll update this page as soon as it's confirmed.
For HVAC Professionals
A smart thermostat that makes your job easier, not harder.
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.