If you’re amid the typical American households who shell out more than $2,000 annually on heating and cooling bills, getting a smart thermostat is a good way to keep utility expenses low. Although manyresidences rely on programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage because it’s on “hold” every day.

When getting a new 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 lower it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.

For the typical home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating expenses and about 15% on cooling bills. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, which helps it pay for itself in less two years. And the majority of utility businesses 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 ensure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you could run into troubles, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling help you choose a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest is Compatible with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have an easy transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a match, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the widest range of home comfort units, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll typically need a specialist like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to complete the in-depth wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve potentially run into information about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers 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 made to consume little power. In most cases, this means they can work properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into erratic heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can add a C-wire for you.

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Upgrading your thermostat makes it simple to manage your heating and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home cozy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help you find the ideal model for your home and then expertly install it. Call us at 804-302-6657 to begin now!