If you’re one of the usual American households who shell out more than $2,000 each year on heating and cooling costs, getting a smart thermostat is an excellent approach to keep utility expenses managed. Although manyhouses have programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being made the most of as it’s on “hold” every day.

When getting a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s because it picks up on your temperature preferences and routine, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also monitor and raise it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.

For the typical home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating expenses and about 15% on cooling costs. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, which helps the product pay for itself in under two years. And many utility businesses offer rebate programs that help you purchase a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re getting a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you might have problems, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a expert like Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning help you choose a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to find out if the Nest will work with your HVAC system.

Nest is Compatible with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

The good news is that Nest made its thermostat to work with many different 24-volt systems, including old ones.

This covers heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to ensure an easy transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a match, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the widest types of home comfort systems, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a specialist like Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning to handle the complicated wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve likely come across info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t get ample power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s usually still okay to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to require small amounts of power. Many times, this means they can operate correctly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing odd heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple

Getting a new thermostat makes it easier to manage your heating and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning can help you choose the best model for your home and then professionally install it. Reach us at 308-624-3485 to get started today!