If you’re one of the average American households who spends more than $2,000 annually on utility bills, getting a smart thermostat is an excellent method to keep heating and cooling costs under control. Although manyhomes use programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being made the most of as it’s on “hold” every day.

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

For the average home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating expenses 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 provide 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’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you might have issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a pro like HCE Systems help you select a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to determine if the Nest is compatible with your HVAC system.

Nest Works with Many Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to provide a smooth transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a fit, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the biggest number of home comfort systems, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a professional like HCE Systems to complete the in-depth wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up 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 pull adequate power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s likely still ok to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to consume little power. Most of the time, this means they can work normally without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like HCE Systems can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Getting a new thermostat makes it a snap to stay on top of your heating and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home cozy. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, HCE Systems can help you find the ideal model for your budget and then expertly install it. Call us at 276-302-0076 to start today!