If you’re one of the average American households who shell out more than $2,000 annually on utility costs, installing a smart thermostat is a great approach to keep heating and cooling costs low. Although manyresidences have programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being used to the full advantage as it’s on “hold” permanently.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s due to the fact it picks up on your temperature preferences and routine, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and lower it from nearly 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 every year, which helps the product pay for itself in less two years. And many utility businesses provide rebate programs that help you purchase a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to make sure it works with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you may have troubles, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a expert like Central Heating & Plumbing help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to figure out if the Nest is compatible with your HVAC system.

Nest Runs 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 involves heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to ensure a smooth transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a match, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the largest range of home comfort systems, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a specialist like Central Heating & Plumbing to handle the detailed wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve potentially come across details 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 designed to consume not much power. In most cases, this means they can run correctly without this wire.

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

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Upgrading your thermostat makes it easier to stay on top of your utility and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home cozy. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Central Heating & Plumbing can help you choose the ideal model for your needs and then professionally install it. Call us at 724-401-1843 to get started now!