If you’re amid the typical American households who shell out more than $2,000 each year on heating and cooling costs, adding a smart thermostat is a good approach to keep energy bills low. Although manyhomes rely on programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being made the most of since it’s on “hold” permanently.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s because it learns your temperature preferences and activities, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and raise it from just about 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 annually, which helps it pay for itself in under 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 getting a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to be sure it works with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you could experience problems, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a expert like Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating help you select 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 is Compatible with Many Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This involves 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 make sure you have an easy transition. Once you’ve confirmed it will work, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.

The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the biggest number of home comfort systems, 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 professional like Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating to complete the detailed wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve potentially come across information 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 probably still ok to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were made to consume not much power. Many times, 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 pro like Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Installing a new thermostat makes it simple to stay on top of your utility and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating can help you find the best model for your budget and then skillfully install it. Call us at 641-628-3621 to begin today!