How to Figure Out if Your HVAC System Can Run with a Nest Smart Thermostat

March 10, 2021

If you’re among the usual American households who shell out more than $2,000 every year on energy expenses, adding a smart thermostat is an excellent method to keep energy costs under control. Although the majority of houses rely on programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being maximized since it’s on “hold” every day.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s because it adjusts to your temperature preferences and activities, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and adjust it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating costs and about 15% on cooling expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved each year, which helps the thermostat pay for itself faster than two years. And most utility providers have 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 aging. If it’s not, you might run into problems, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a professional like Appalachian Heating help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This involves heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have a simple transition. Once you’ve double-checked it will work, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the widest number of home comfort systems, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a professional like Appalachian Heating to handle the in-depth wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve potentially found info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t pull enough 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 use not much power. Many times, this means they can run properly without this wire.

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

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Installing a new thermostat makes it simple to keep track of your heating and cooling bills while keeping your house comfy. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Appalachian Heating can help you choose the ideal model for your home and then professionally install it. Give us a call at 304-707-0600 to begin right away!