If you’re amid the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 annually on energy bills, adding a smart thermostat is a good approach to keep heating and cooling costs low. Although the majority ofhomes have programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being made the most of as it’s on “hold” every day.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s because it adjusts to your temperature preferences and schedule, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and change it from nearly anywhere with your smartphone.

On average, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating expenses and about 15% on cooling costs. That’s about $131 to $145 saved every year, which helps it pay for itself in under two years. And most utility providers provide rebate programs that help you purchase a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re getting a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to be sure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you might have issues, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Better Air help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to find out if the Nest will work with your HVAC system.

Nest is Compatible with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This covers heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have an easy transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a fit, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the biggest number of home comfort systems, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll typically need a specialist like Better Air to do the in-depth wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve likely found info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t get enough 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 made to use little power. In most cases, this means they can run properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like Better Air can add a C-wire for you.

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Upgrading your thermostat makes it simple to stay on top of your heating and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home cozy. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Better Air can help you find the right model for your needs and then expertly install it. Call us at 507-663-1208 to start today!