If you’re one of the average American households who shell out more than $2,000 every year on utility bills, adding a smart thermostat is a great approach to keep energy bills under control. Although manyhomes use programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being used to the full advantage since it’s on “hold” all the time.

When getting a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s because it picks up on your temperature preferences and routine, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and raise it from nearly anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating bills and about 15% on cooling expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved every year, which helps the product pay for itself in under two years. And the majority of utility companies 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 works with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you could experience problems, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a specialist like Air Current AC & Heat help you pick a new thermostat and take care of 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 created its thermostat to operate with many different 24-volt systems, including aging ones.

This covers heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to provide a smooth transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a match, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the biggest number of home comfort systems, 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 likely need a pro like Air Current AC & Heat to handle the complicated wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve probably found information about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs your smart thermostat when it can’t pull enough power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s likely still all right to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were made to require not much power. Many times, this means they can operate properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Air Current AC & Heat can add a C-wire for you.

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Installing a new thermostat makes it a snap to stay on top of your utility and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Air Current AC & Heat can help you select the ideal model for your needs and then expertly install it. Give us a call at 713-322-4318 to get started now!