If you’re among the average American households who shell out more than $2,000 every year on heating and cooling bills, adding a smart thermostat is an excellent method to keep heating and cooling costs under control. Although mostresidences rely on programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being made the most of as it’s on “hold” all the time.

When getting a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s because it picks up on your temperature preferences and activities, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and lower 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 expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved each year, which helps the product pay for itself in under two years. And the majority of utility companies offer rebate programs that help you get a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re installing a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you could experience troubles, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Gilray Heating and Cooling help you choose a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with Many Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This involves heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to ensure a simple transition. Once you’ve double-checked it’s a fit, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the biggest number of home comfort systems, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with highly energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a specialist like Gilray Heating and Cooling to handle the in-depth wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve likely run into info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t draw enough power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s probably still okay to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to use not much power. In most cases, this means they can run normally without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like Gilray Heating and Cooling can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Upgrading your thermostat makes it a snap to manage your heating and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Gilray Heating and Cooling can help you select the ideal model for your budget and then expertly install it. Give us a call at 715-301-0727 to start right away!