If you’re one of the average American households who shell out more than $2,000 every year on heating and cooling costs, getting a smart thermostat is a fantastic method to keep utility expenses low. Although many residences use programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being used to the full advantage since it’s on “hold” all the time.
When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s since it adjusts to your temperature preferences and activities, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and adjust it from almost 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 less two years. And many utility companies provide 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 make sure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you might experience issues, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. help you select a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.
Here’s how to figure 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 run on:
- Natural gas
- Oil
- Electricity
Before you purchase a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to provide a smooth transition. Once you’ve checked it will work, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.
The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the widest number of home comfort units, 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 specialist like 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. to handle the complicated wiring and setup process.
Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?
If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve potentially come across information about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t pull adequate power from the other wires.
If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s likely still ok to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to require little power. Most of the time, 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 pro like 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. can add a C-wire for you.
Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy
Upgrading your thermostat makes it a snap to manage your energy and cooling costs while keeping your house comfy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your home, 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. can help you select the ideal model for your needs and then expertly install it. Reach us at 949-204-0859 to begin right away!