If you’re one of the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 annually on heating and cooling bills, adding a smart thermostat is a great method to keep heating and cooling bills low. Although the majority of residences use programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being made the most of because it’s on “hold” all the time.
When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s since it picks up on your temperature preferences and activities, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also monitor and change it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.
On average, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating expenses and about 15% on cooling expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, which helps it pay for itself in under two years. And the majority of utility providers 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’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you could run into problems, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a specialist like McFadden Heating & Cooling 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 Runs with Most Heating and Cooling Systems
The good news is that Nest created its thermostat to run with many different 24-volt systems, including older ones.
This involves 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 provide a simple transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a match, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.
The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the largest types of home comfort equipment, including 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 specialist like McFadden Heating & Cooling to do the in-depth wiring and setup process.
Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?
If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve potentially found details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t get adequate power from the other wires.
If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s usually still ok to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to require not much power. In most cases, this means they can run properly without this wire.
Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into odd heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like McFadden Heating & Cooling can install a C-wire for you.
Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick
Upgrading your thermostat makes it easier to stay on top of your utility and cooling costs while keeping your home comfortable. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, McFadden Heating & Cooling can help you choose the best model for your needs and then expertly install it. Call us at 1-866-781-0111 to get started now!