If you’re among the typical American households who spends more than $2,000 each year on utility bills, getting a smart thermostat is a good approach to keep heating and cooling expenses under control. Although most houses have programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being used to the full advantage since it’s on “hold” every day.
When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s since it learns your temperature preferences and routine, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it 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 each year, which helps the thermostat pay for itself in under two years. And most utility providers offer 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 make sure it works with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you may experience issues, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a expert like Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.
Here’s how to determine if the Nest is compatible 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 old ones.
This covers heating and cooling systems powered by:
- Natural gas
- Oil
- Electricity
Before you get a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to ensure a simple transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a fit, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.
The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the biggest types of home comfort units, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll typically need a professional like Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. to handle the detailed wiring and setup procedures.
Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?
If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve potentially run into info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs your smart thermostat when it can’t draw adequate power from the other wires.
If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s probably still ok to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were made to consume small amounts of power. In most cases, 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 professional like Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. can add a C-wire for you.
Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple
Upgrading your thermostat makes it simple to stay on top of your utility and cooling expenses while keeping your home cozy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. can help you find the right model for your home and then skillfully install it. Call us at 918-682-8238 to begin right away!