If you’re one of the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 each year on energy costs, adding a smart thermostat is a great approach to keep utility expenses low. Although the majority ofresidences have programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage since it’s on “hold” every day.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s since it learns your temperature preferences and activities, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also monitor and change 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 each year, which helps the product pay for itself in less two years. And most utility providers offer rebate programs that help you install a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re installing a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to be sure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you might experience issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a pro like Stanford Heating & Cooling help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to determine if the Nest will work with your HVAC system.

Nest Runs with Many Heating and Cooling Systems

The good news is that Nest designed its thermostat to run with many different 24-volt systems, including old ones.

This covers heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to provide an easy transition. Once you’ve confirmed it will work, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the biggest types 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 specialist like Stanford Heating & Cooling to do the detailed wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve potentially found details 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 likely still okay to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to consume small amounts of power. Many times, this means they can run correctly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing erratic heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Stanford Heating & Cooling can install a C-wire for you.

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Getting a new thermostat makes it easier to stay on top of your utility and cooling expenses while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Stanford Heating & Cooling can help you find the right model for your budget and then professionally install it. Call us at 812-825-8695 to get started now!