If you’re one of the average American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on utility costs, adding a smart thermostat is a fantastic way to keep energy costs low. Although most homes have programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being maximized since it’s on “hold” every day.
When getting a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s due to the fact it learns your temperature preferences and schedule, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and lower it from nearly anywhere with your smartphone.
For the typical home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating bills and about 15% on cooling bills. That’s about $131 to $145 saved every year, which helps it pay for itself faster than two years. And many 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 getting old. If it’s not, you may have problems, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a professional like Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. help you choose a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.
Here’s how to figure out if the Nest will work with your HVAC system.
Nest Works 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 run the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have a smooth transition. Once you’ve double-checked it’s compatible, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.
The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the widest types of home comfort units, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with highly energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a professional like Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. to do the complicated wiring and setup steps.
Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?
If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve probably come across information about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t get enough power from the other wires.
If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s probably still ok to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to use not much power. Many times, this means they can operate normally without this wire.
Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. can install a C-wire for you.
Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy
Getting a new thermostat makes it a snap to keep track of your utility and cooling costs while keeping your house cozy. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. can help you choose the ideal model for your budget and then professionally install it. Call us at 803-265-4208 to start today!