If you’re one of the average American households who shell out more than $2,000 every year on energy expenses, adding a smart thermostat is an excellent way to keep energy bills under control. Although the majority ofhomes have programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage because it’s on “hold” permanently.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s since it learns your temperature preferences and schedule, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also monitor and lower it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.

For the typical home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating bills and about 15% on cooling expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved every year, which helps it pay for itself in under two years. And the majority of utility companies 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 be sure it works with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you could run into issues, like weird 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 do your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to determine if the Nest can run with your HVAC system.

Nest Runs with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This involves heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to ensure 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 works with the widest types of home comfort systems, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll typically need a pro like McFadden Heating & Cooling to do the detailed wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve probably run into info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t pull enough 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 made to consume small amounts of power. Most of the time, 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 specialist like McFadden Heating & Cooling can add a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple

Upgrading your thermostat makes it simple to keep track of your utility and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. 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 home and then professionally install it. Reach us at 1-866-781-0111 to begin right away!