If you’re one of the usual American households who shell out more than $2,000 annually on utility costs, adding a smart thermostat is a good way to keep energy bills managed. Although manyhouses have programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage as it’s on “hold” permanently.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s due to the fact it adjusts to your temperature preferences and activities, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and change it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating expenses and about 15% on cooling costs. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, which helps it pay for itself quicker than two years. And the majority of 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 make sure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you might experience problems, like odd furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Forster Heating help you select a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest is Compatible with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to ensure a simple transition. Once you’ve double-checked it will work, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the biggest number of home comfort units, 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 typically need a specialist like Forster Heating to do the detailed wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve likely come across details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs your smart thermostat when it can’t draw enough power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s usually still all right to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were made to require little power. Most of the time, this means they can run properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Forster Heating can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Getting a new thermostat makes it simple to stay on top of your energy and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Forster Heating can help you find the right model for your budget and then expertly install it. Reach us at 530-885-8081 to get started right away!