If you’re among the usual American households who spends more than $2,000 annually on energy bills, adding a smart thermostat is a good method to keep heating and cooling expenses under control. Although mosthomes have programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage as 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 because it learns your temperature preferences and routine, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and lower 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 bills. That’s about $131 to $145 saved every year, which helps the product pay for itself in under two years. And most utility companies offer rebate programs that help you install a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you may experience troubles, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a professional like Solar Air Inc. help you select 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 the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This involves heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have an easy transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a fit, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the widest range of home comfort units, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with highly energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a professional like Solar Air Inc. to complete the complicated wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve probably found info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs your smart thermostat when it can’t draw ample power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s probably still ok to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to require not much power. In most cases, this means they can work normally without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like Solar Air Inc. can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Upgrading your thermostat makes it a snap to manage your heating and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Solar Air Inc. can help you find the best model for your home and then expertly install it. Call us at 954-320-7398 to start now!