If you’re one of the usual American households who spends more than $2,000 annually on energy costs, installing a smart thermostat is a great way to keep energy costs low. Although mostresidences use programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage as it’s on “hold” permanently.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s since it adjusts to your temperature preferences and activities, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also monitor and lower it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating bills and about 15% on cooling bills. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, which helps the thermostat pay for itself in less two years. And many utility providers provide rebate programs that help you purchase a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you might have issues, like odd furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a specialist like Knoechel Heating help you choose a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This covers heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have an easy transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a match, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.

The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the widest types of home comfort equipment, 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 likely need a professional like Knoechel Heating to complete the in-depth wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve potentially run into info 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 install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to require small amounts of power. In most cases, this means they can run correctly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Knoechel Heating can add a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Installing a new thermostat makes it a snap to manage your heating and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Knoechel Heating can help you choose the right model for your budget and then expertly install it. Reach us at 724-425-5852 to start right away!