If you’re amid the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on heating and cooling costs, getting a smart thermostat is a good approach to keep energy bills low. Although manyhomes use programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being used to the full advantage 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 develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and raise it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.
For the typical home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating bills and about 15% on cooling expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved every year, which helps it pay for itself in under two years. And many utility providers have rebate programs that help you install a smart thermostat for free or close to it.
When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to be sure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you might experience troubles, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a expert like Childress Heating & AC help you pick a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.
Here’s how to determine if the Nest can run with your HVAC system.
Nest Runs with Most Heating and Cooling Systems
The good news is that Nest made its thermostat to work with many different 24-volt systems, including aging ones.
This includes heating and cooling systems that run on:
- Natural gas
- Oil
- Electricity
Before you get a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have a smooth transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a match, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the largest number of home comfort equipment, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a pro like Childress Heating & AC 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 come across 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 likely still ok to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were made to consume little power. Many times, this means they can operate correctly without this wire.
Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Childress Heating & AC can add a C-wire for you.
Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy
Getting a new thermostat makes it simple to stay on top of your utility and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Childress Heating & AC can help you choose the right model for your needs and then expertly install it. Call us at 540-675-4306 to begin today!