If you’re one of the typical American households who shell out more than $2,000 annually on utility bills, adding a smart thermostat is an excellent way to keep utility costs managed. Although manyhouses use programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being made the most of because it’s on “hold” all the time.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s since it picks up on your temperature preferences and activities, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and raise it from nearly 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 annually, which helps the product pay for itself quicker than two years. And the majority of utility providers have 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’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you could run into troubles, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a pro like JW Brager Heating and Cooling help you choose a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest is Compatible with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This involves heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have a smooth transition. Once you’ve checked it will work, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the widest number of home comfort units, 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 JW Brager Heating and Cooling to complete the detailed wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve likely found details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t pull 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 created to consume not much power. Many times, this means they can work properly without this wire.

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

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple

Getting a new thermostat makes it simple to stay on top of your utility and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your home, JW Brager Heating and Cooling can help you select the right model for your needs and then skillfully install it. Give us a call at 608-447-0555 to begin now!