If you’re among the average American households who pay more than $2,000 annually on heating and cooling bills, adding a smart thermostat is an excellent way to keep energy costs under control. Although many homes rely on programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being made the most of because it’s on “hold” every day.
When getting a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s because it adjusts to your temperature preferences and schedule, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and change it from nearly anywhere with your smartphone.
For the typical 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 annually, which helps the thermostat pay for itself quicker than two years. And most utility providers offer rebate programs that help you purchase 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 essential if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you might run into troubles, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a specialist like GV Heating & Air help you pick 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 Runs with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems
The good news is that Nest designed its thermostat to work with many different 24-volt systems, including aging ones.
This covers heating and cooling systems that use:
- Natural gas
- Oil
- Electricity
Before you get a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to provide a simple transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a match, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the biggest range of home comfort systems, such as 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 professional like GV Heating & Air to complete the detailed wiring and setup process.
Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?
If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve potentially come across details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs your smart thermostat when it can’t pull ample power from the other wires.
If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s usually still all right to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were made to require little power. Most of the time, this means they can work properly without this wire.
Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing erratic heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like GV Heating & Air can add a C-wire for you.
Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy
Installing a new thermostat makes it easier to manage your energy and cooling expenses while keeping your house cozy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your home, GV Heating & Air can help you find the right model for your needs and then expertly install it. Call us at 763-535-2000 to start right away!