If you’re amid the average American households who pay more than $2,000 each year on heating and cooling expenses, installing a smart thermostat is a good approach to keep utility bills managed. Although most homes have programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being made the most of as it’s on “hold” permanently.
When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s because it picks up on your temperature preferences and activities, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and raise it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.
For the typical home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating costs and about 15% on cooling expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved each year, which helps the thermostat pay for itself in less two years. And many utility companies offer rebate programs that help you purchase a smart thermostat for free or close to it.
When you’re getting 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 getting old. If it’s not, you may run into issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Halverson Brothers Inc help you choose a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.
Here’s how to figure out if the Nest is compatible 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 covers heating and cooling systems that run on:
- Natural gas
- Oil
- Electricity
Before you get a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to ensure an easy transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s compatible, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the widest 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 Halverson Brothers Inc to handle the in-depth wiring and setup process.
Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?
If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve probably come across info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs 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 ok to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to require not much power. Many times, this means they can operate normally without this wire.
Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Halverson Brothers Inc can put in a C-wire for you.
Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick
Upgrading your thermostat makes it simple to keep track of your energy and cooling costs while keeping your home comfortable. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Halverson Brothers Inc can help you find the right model for your budget and then expertly install it. Reach us at 715-352-4052 to start today!