If you’re one of the average American households who shell out more than $2,000 each year on utility costs, installing a smart thermostat is a good approach to keep energy costs low. Although mostresidences rely on programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage as it’s on “hold” permanently.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s due to the fact 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 just about anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating costs and about 15% on cooling bills. That’s about $131 to $145 saved every year, which helps it pay for itself in under two years. And many utility providers 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 be sure it works with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you might run into issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a professional like E.B. Air help you pick a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

The good news is that Nest made its thermostat to run with many different 24-volt systems, including old ones.

This covers heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to provide an easy transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a match, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the widest range of home comfort systems, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a professional like E.B. Air to handle the complicated wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve probably found details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t draw ample power from the other wires.

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

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into odd heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like E.B. Air can install a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Getting a new thermostat makes it easier to keep track of your utility and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home cozy. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, E.B. Air can help you find the right model for your budget and then expertly install it. Reach us at 979-335-4262 to get started now!