If you’re one of the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on energy bills, getting a smart thermostat is a good way to keep heating and cooling expenses 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 getting a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s due to the fact it picks up on your temperature preferences and activities, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also monitor and change it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.

On average, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating bills and about 15% on cooling costs. That’s about $131 to $145 saved each year, which helps it pay for itself in less two years. And many utility providers offer rebate programs that help you install a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re installing a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to be sure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you could run into troubles, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a specialist like Air Temperature Control help you select a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to figure 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 operate with many different 24-volt systems, including aging ones.

This covers heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to ensure a simple transition. Once you’ve confirmed it will work, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the biggest types of home comfort systems, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a specialist like Air Temperature Control to complete the detailed wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve likely run into info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t pull adequate power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s likely still okay to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to consume little power. In most cases, this means they can run correctly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing erratic heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Air Temperature Control can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple

Upgrading your thermostat makes it a snap to stay on top of your utility and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Air Temperature Control can help you find the best model for your budget and then skillfully install it. Give us a call at 478-202-3170 to get started right away!