If you’re among the usual American households who pay more than $2,000 each year on utility expenses, getting a smart thermostat is a good method to keep heating and cooling bills low. Although mostresidences rely on programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage since it’s on “hold” all the time.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s because it picks up on your temperature preferences and schedule, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and change it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average 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 the product pay for itself in less two years. And the majority of utility companies 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 works with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you may run into troubles, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a professional like Bain Heating & Air Conditioning help you choose a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to figure 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 made its thermostat to work with many different 24-volt systems, including aging ones.

This covers heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

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

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the widest number of home comfort equipment, 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 typically need a professional like Bain Heating & Air Conditioning to do the in-depth wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve likely run into information about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t draw adequate power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s likely still all right to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to use small amounts of power. Most of the time, this means they can operate properly without this wire.

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

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Upgrading your thermostat makes it a snap to manage your utility and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Bain Heating & Air Conditioning can help you choose the ideal model for your home and then skillfully install it. Reach us at 256-270-1196 to begin now!