If you’re amid the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 annually on heating and cooling bills, adding a smart thermostat is a fantastic approach to keep utility expenses managed. Although mosthouses rely on programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being made the most of as it’s on “hold” permanently.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s because it learns your temperature preferences and activities, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and change 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 every year, which helps the thermostat pay for itself quicker than two years. And many utility companies provide rebate programs that help you purchase a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re installing a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to make sure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you could experience problems, like odd furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Appalachian Heating help you select a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest is Compatible with Many 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 covers heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to provide an easy transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a fit, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the widest range of home comfort units, including 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 specialist like Appalachian Heating to complete the detailed wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve potentially 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 ok to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to consume not much power. Most of the time, this means they can work properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing odd heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Appalachian Heating can add a C-wire for you.

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Installing a new thermostat makes it a snap to stay on top of your energy and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Appalachian Heating can help you select the ideal model for your needs and then expertly install it. Call us at 304-877-5566 to begin now!