If you’re among the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on utility costs, getting a smart thermostat is a good way to keep energy expenses under control. Although manyhouses use programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being used to the full advantage since it’s on “hold” permanently.

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

For the typical 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 every year, which helps the thermostat pay for itself quicker than two years. And the majority of utility businesses provide rebate programs that help you install a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to be sure it works with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you might have problems, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a professional like Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest is Compatible with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This covers heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have a simple transition. Once you’ve confirmed 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 widest types of home comfort systems, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with highly energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll typically need a professional like Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning to do the in-depth wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve potentially run into details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs your smart thermostat when it can’t pull enough power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s likely still okay to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to use little power. Most of the time, this means they can operate correctly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing erratic heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Upgrading your thermostat makes it easier to stay on top of your utility and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning can help you choose the right model for your needs and then expertly install it. Give us a call at 204-272-8128 to begin today!