If you’re one of the typical American households who spends more than $2,000 each year on heating and cooling bills, getting a smart thermostat is a great way to keep energy bills low. Although manyhouses rely on programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage since it’s on “hold” permanently.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s because it picks up on your temperature preferences and schedule, and then develops 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 costs and about 15% on cooling costs. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, which helps the product pay for itself in less two years. And most utility businesses 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 make sure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you could have issues, like odd furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a expert like Northwest Services help you pick a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to find out if the Nest can run with your HVAC system.

Nest Runs with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This involves heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to provide a simple transition. Once you’ve confirmed it will work, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the largest types of home comfort units, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll typically need a professional like Northwest Services to complete the in-depth wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve probably come across information about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t get 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 created to consume not much power. In most cases, this means they can work correctly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Northwest Services can install a C-wire for you.

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple

Getting a new thermostat makes it a snap to stay on top of your heating and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Northwest Services can help you choose the ideal model for your needs and then expertly install it. Call us at 419-548-5017 to start today!