If you’re amid the average American households who pay more than $2,000 each year on utility bills, getting a smart thermostat is a fantastic way to keep heating and cooling costs low. Although manyhomes rely on programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being made the most of as it’s on “hold” permanently.

When getting a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s since it picks up on your temperature preferences and routine, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and lower it from nearly anywhere with your smartphone.

On average, 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 it pay for itself quicker than two years. And most utility providers provide rebate programs that help you install a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re installing a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially essential 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 professional like Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling help you pick a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

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

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the largest range of home comfort units, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll typically need a professional like Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling to handle the complicated wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve potentially found info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t get ample 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 created to consume small amounts of power. In most cases, this means they can run normally without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into erratic heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling can install a C-wire for you.

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Getting a new thermostat makes it easier to stay on top of your energy and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home cozy. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling can help you select the ideal model for your budget and then professionally install it. Call us at 208-561-1226 to start right away!