If you’re among the usual American households who shell out more than $2,000 each year on utility costs, adding a smart thermostat is a great way to keep heating and cooling expenses under control. Although mostresidences have programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being made the most of since 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 activities, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and raise it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average 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 annually, which helps it pay for itself in less two years. And most utility companies offer 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 ensure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you could have issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a pro like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning help you choose 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 the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have an easy transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a match, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.

The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the widest types of home comfort units, 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 Freed Heating & Air Conditioning to complete the complicated wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve probably run into information about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t get ample power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s usually still okay to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to consume little power. In most cases, this means they can run normally without this wire.

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

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Installing a new thermostat makes it a snap to manage your energy and cooling expenses while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Freed Heating & Air Conditioning can help you choose the best model for your budget and then professionally install it. Give us a call at 309-323-9584 to begin now!