If you’re amid the average American households who shell out more than $2,000 each year on energy expenses, installing a smart thermostat is a great way to keep utility expenses managed. Although manyresidences rely on programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage since it’s on “hold” every day.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s because it picks up on your temperature preferences and activities, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and raise it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.

On average, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating costs and about 15% on cooling expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved every year, which helps the product pay for itself quicker than two years. And the majority of utility businesses offer 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 make sure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you may experience troubles, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a pro like Bain Heating & Air Conditioning help you choose a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to determine if the Nest will work with your HVAC system.

Nest Works with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to provide a simple transition. Once you’ve double-checked it’s a fit, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the biggest range of home comfort units, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with highly energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a pro like Bain Heating & Air Conditioning to handle the detailed wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve potentially found 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 designed to require small amounts of power. Most of the time, this means they can run normally without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into odd 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 Simple

Getting a new thermostat makes it simple to manage your utility and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Bain Heating & Air Conditioning can help you find the right model for your home and then skillfully install it. Reach us at 256-270-1196 to start today!