If you’re among the usual American households who pay more than $2,000 annually on utility bills, installing a smart thermostat is a great method to keep heating and cooling expenses under control. Although mosthouses rely on programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being made the most of since it’s on “hold” permanently.
When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s because it learns your temperature preferences and activities, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and raise it from nearly anywhere with your smartphone.
On average, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating costs 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 companies provide rebate programs that help you get a smart thermostat for free or close to it.
When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially essential 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 critical to have a professional like Lanz Furnace and Fireplace help you pick a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.
Here’s how to find out if the Nest will work with your HVAC system.
Nest is Compatible with Most Heating and Cooling Systems
The good news is that Nest made its thermostat to operate with many different 24-volt systems, including aging ones.
This includes heating and cooling systems that run on:
- Natural gas
- Oil
- Electricity
Before you get a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to ensure an easy transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a match, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.
The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the largest number of home comfort systems, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a pro like Lanz Furnace and Fireplace to handle the detailed wiring and setup steps.
Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?
If you’ve looked into 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 pull enough power from the other wires.
If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s probably still okay to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to use little power. In most cases, this means they can work normally without this wire.
Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing erratic heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Lanz Furnace and Fireplace can put in a C-wire for you.
Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple
Getting a new thermostat makes it simple to keep track of your energy and cooling expenses while keeping your {house|residences|home cozy. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Lanz Furnace and Fireplace can help you select the best model for your home and then skillfully install it. Reach us at 608-291-3606 to get started right away!
