If you’re amid the usual American households who spends more than $2,000 annually on utility expenses, getting a smart thermostat is a good way to keep heating and cooling expenses low. Although mosthouses have programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being made the most of because it’s on “hold” permanently.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s since it picks up on your temperature preferences and schedule, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and raise it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average 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 each year, which helps the thermostat pay for itself quicker than two years. And most utility providers have rebate programs that help you get a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to be sure it works with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you may have issues, like odd furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like McFadden Heating & Cooling help you pick a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to ensure a smooth transition. Once you’ve confirmed it will work, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the biggest range of home comfort systems, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a specialist like McFadden Heating & Cooling to handle the in-depth wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve probably 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 probably still all right to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to require little power. Many times, this means they can operate correctly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like McFadden Heating & Cooling can install a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Getting a new thermostat makes it a snap to manage your energy and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, McFadden Heating & Cooling can help you choose the best model for your needs and then expertly install it. Give us a call at 1-866-781-0111 to get started today!