If you’re one of the usual American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on energy bills, adding a smart thermostat is a good approach to keep utility expenses low. Although many houses rely on programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being used to the full advantage because it’s on “hold” permanently.
When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s because it learns your temperature preferences and schedule, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and lower it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.
For the average 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 annually, which helps the product pay for itself faster than two years. And the majority of utility companies offer rebate programs that help you install 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 true if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you may have issues, like odd furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Cool Air Solutions help you select a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.
Here’s how to find out if the Nest will work with your HVAC system.
Nest Runs with Many Heating and Cooling Systems
The good news is that Nest made its thermostat to run with many different 24-volt systems, including older ones.
This covers heating and cooling systems that use:
- Natural gas
- Oil
- Electricity
Before you get a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have a simple transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a match, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.
The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the widest range of home comfort equipment, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a professional like Cool Air Solutions to complete the detailed wiring and setup process.
Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?
If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve likely come across info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t draw adequate 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 consume little power. In most cases, this means they can work normally without this wire.
Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into odd heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Cool Air Solutions can put in a C-wire for you.
Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy
Getting a new thermostat makes it a snap to manage your heating and cooling expenses while keeping your residences comfortable. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Cool Air Solutions can help you choose the right model for your needs and then expertly install it. Call us at 951-299-9853 to get started right away!