If you’re one of the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on heating and cooling bills, adding a smart thermostat is a good way to keep energy expenses low. Although mosthomes have programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage as it’s on “hold” every day.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s because it learns your temperature preferences and schedule, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also monitor and raise 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 in less two years. And many utility businesses have 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 be sure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you could experience troubles, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a professional like Air-Right Energy Design help you select a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Runs with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This involves heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to ensure a simple transition. Once you’ve double-checked it’s a match, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the widest range of home comfort equipment, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a pro like Air-Right Energy Design to complete the detailed wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve probably come across details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t get enough power from the other wires.

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

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Air-Right Energy Design can install a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Upgrading your thermostat makes it a snap to stay on top of your utility and cooling expenses while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Air-Right Energy Design can help you select the best model for your home and then professionally install it. Call us at 703-260-1148 to begin now!