If you’re one of the usual American households who shell out more than $2,000 each year on heating and cooling costs, adding a smart thermostat is an excellent method to keep utility expenses low. Although mostresidences use programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage as it’s on “hold” permanently.

When getting a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s because it learns your temperature preferences and schedule, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also monitor and lower it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.

On average, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating expenses and about 15% on cooling costs. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, which helps the product pay for itself in under two years. And the majority of utility companies have rebate programs that help you install a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re getting 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 may experience issues, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a expert like Northern Comfort Inc help you select a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest is Compatible with Most 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 involves heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to provide a smooth transition. Once you’ve double-checked it’s a match, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the widest types of home comfort equipment, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll typically need a specialist like Northern Comfort Inc to do the in-depth wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve probably run into info 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 made to consume little power. Most of the time, this means they can run correctly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into odd heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Northern Comfort Inc can install a C-wire for you.

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Installing a new thermostat makes it a snap to keep track of your heating and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Northern Comfort Inc can help you select the ideal model for your home and then professionally install it. Give us a call at 507-387-6596 to begin now!