If you’re one of the typical American households who spends more than $2,000 every year on heating and cooling costs, installing a smart thermostat is a great way to keep energy bills under control. Although most homes have programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being made the most of because it’s on “hold” permanently.
When getting a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s due to the fact it picks up on your temperature preferences and activities, and then develops 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 typical 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 annually, which helps it pay for itself faster than two years. And many utility companies provide 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 works with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you might experience problems, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a professional like Northern Comfort Inc help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.
Here’s how to determine if the Nest is compatible with your HVAC system.
Nest Runs with Many Heating and Cooling Systems
The good news is that Nest designed its thermostat to work with many different 24-volt systems, including aging ones.
This covers heating and cooling systems that run on:
- Natural gas
- Oil
- Electricity
Before you purchase a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to provide a smooth transition. Once you’ve double-checked it will work, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.
The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the biggest range of home comfort systems, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with highly energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a professional like Northern Comfort Inc to complete the detailed wiring and setup steps.
Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?
If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve potentially found information about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t get 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 designed to use not much power. Most of the time, this means they can run normally without this wire.
Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like Northern Comfort Inc can add a C-wire for you.
Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick
Getting a new thermostat makes it easier to keep track of your heating and cooling expenses while keeping your home cozy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Northern Comfort Inc can help you select the right model for your needs and then expertly install it. Give us a call at 507-387-6596 to start today!