If you’re one of the average American households who pay more than $2,000 annually on heating and cooling expenses, adding a smart thermostat is a good method to keep utility expenses low. Although mostresidences have programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being made the most of as it’s on “hold” all the time.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top 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 raise it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.

For the typical 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 annually, which helps it pay for itself quicker than two years. And the majority of utility businesses offer rebate programs that help you get a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re installing a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you may experience issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a expert like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning help you select a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to figure out if the Nest can run with your HVAC system.

Nest Runs with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

The good news is that Nest created its thermostat to work with many different 24-volt systems, including aging ones.

This covers heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

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

The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the widest number of home comfort systems, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a pro like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning to complete the detailed wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve likely come across details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs your smart thermostat when it can’t draw ample power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s probably still all right to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to require not much power. In most cases, this means they can run correctly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning can install a C-wire for you.

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Upgrading your thermostat makes it easier to keep track of your heating and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Freed Heating & Air Conditioning can help you choose the right model for your needs and then professionally install it. Give us a call at 309-323-9584 to get started right away!