If you’re amid the usual American households who spends more than $2,000 each year on heating and cooling costs, adding a smart thermostat is a great method to keep energy expenses low. Although most residences use programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being maximized as it’s on “hold” every day.
When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s since it adjusts to your temperature preferences and activities, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and adjust it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.
On average, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating bills and about 15% on cooling expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved each year, which helps it pay for itself in under two years. And many utility businesses offer 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 essential if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you could have troubles, like odd furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a expert like Forster Heating help you select a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.
Here’s how to figure out if the Nest is compatible with your HVAC system.
Nest is Compatible with Most Heating and Cooling Systems
The good news is that Nest made 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 purchase a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to provide a simple transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a match, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the widest types of home comfort equipment, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a specialist like Forster Heating to do the in-depth wiring and setup procedures.
Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?
If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve probably run into info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t get adequate power from the other wires.
If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s probably still okay to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to use small amounts of power. In most cases, this means they can operate normally without this wire.
Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Forster Heating can install a C-wire for you.
Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick
Installing a new thermostat makes it simple to keep track of your utility and cooling bills while keeping your residences comfy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Forster Heating can help you find the best model for your budget and then expertly install it. Reach us at 530-885-8081 to get started right away!