If you’re one of the average American households who shell out more than $2,000 every year on energy bills, installing a smart thermostat is a good way to keep energy costs managed. Although mosthouses use programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being made the most of since it’s on “hold” all the time.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s due to the fact it learns your temperature preferences and routine, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and change it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.

For the typical home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating bills and about 15% on cooling bills. That’s about $131 to $145 saved each year, which helps it pay for itself in less two years. And most utility companies have rebate programs that help you purchase a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to make sure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you may have problems, like odd furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a professional like Central Heating & Plumbing help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to determine if the Nest is compatible 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 older ones.

This includes heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have a smooth transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a match, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the widest types of home comfort equipment, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a professional like Central Heating & Plumbing to do the complicated wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve potentially found details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs your smart thermostat when it can’t pull enough power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s likely still ok to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were made to use not much power. Many times, this means they can operate correctly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Central Heating & Plumbing can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple

Upgrading your thermostat makes it simple to manage your energy and cooling expenses while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Central Heating & Plumbing can help you select the best model for your needs and then expertly install it. Call us at 724-401-1843 to get started today!