If you’re among the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on heating and cooling bills, getting a smart thermostat is an excellent way to keep heating and cooling expenses under control. Although manyresidences rely on programmable thermostats, yours probably 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 picks up on your temperature preferences and schedule, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and lower it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.

On average, 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 it pay for itself in less two years. And many utility businesses provide 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 make sure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you may run into problems, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a expert like Connolly Electric & Mechanical help you select a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest is Compatible with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have an easy transition. Once you’ve checked it will work, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the widest range of home comfort units, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a specialist like Connolly Electric & Mechanical to handle the detailed wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve likely run into info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs 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 get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to require small amounts of power. Many times, this means they can run correctly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into erratic heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Connolly Electric & Mechanical can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Installing a new thermostat makes it a snap to stay on top of your utility and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Connolly Electric & Mechanical can help you find the right model for your home and then expertly install it. Give us a call at 928-251-4327 to start today!