If you’re among the usual American households who shell out more than $2,000 every year on utility bills, installing a smart thermostat is an excellent way to keep utility bills low. Although many residences have programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage because it’s on “hold” all the time.
When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s since it picks up on your temperature preferences and schedule, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also monitor and lower it from nearly 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 each year, which helps the thermostat pay for itself faster than two years. And most utility businesses have rebate programs that help you install 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 older. If it’s not, you could run into problems, like odd furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a pro like AZ Air Conditioning and Heating help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.
Here’s how to find out if the Nest will work with your HVAC system.
Nest Works with Many Heating and Cooling Systems
The good news is that Nest created its thermostat to work with many different 24-volt systems, including older ones.
This includes heating and cooling systems that run on:
- Natural gas
- Oil
- Electricity
Before you get a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to provide a simple transition. Once you’ve checked it’s compatible, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.
The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the widest range of home comfort equipment, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a specialist like AZ Air Conditioning and Heating to handle the complicated wiring and setup steps.
Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?
If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve likely come across info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t draw 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 designed to use little power. Many times, 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 pro like AZ Air Conditioning and Heating can add a C-wire for you.
Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple
Getting a new thermostat makes it easier to keep track of your energy and cooling bills while keeping your home comfy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, AZ Air Conditioning and Heating can help you select the right model for your needs and then expertly install it. Give us a call at 800-296-5088 to begin right away!