If you’re one of the usual American households who shell out more than $2,000 each year on heating and cooling expenses, getting a smart thermostat is a great way to keep heating and cooling costs low. Although manyhomes use programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being made the most of as it’s on “hold” all the time.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s because it learns your temperature preferences and schedule, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and raise it from nearly anywhere with your smartphone.

On average, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating bills and about 15% on cooling bills. That’s about $131 to $145 saved each year, which helps the product pay for itself in less two years. And the majority of utility companies have rebate programs that help you get a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to make sure it works with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you could run into problems, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a expert like Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning help you pick a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to find out if the Nest is compatible with your HVAC system.

Nest Runs 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 that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to ensure an easy transition. Once you’ve confirmed it will work, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the biggest range of home comfort units, 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 likely need a professional like Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning to complete the detailed wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve probably run into details 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 all right to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were made to consume not much power. Most of the time, this means they can operate normally without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing odd heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning can add a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Installing a new thermostat makes it easier to stay on top of your utility and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning can help you find the best model for your budget and then professionally install it. Call us at 402-509-5940 to begin right away!