If you’re amid the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 each year on energy costs, getting a smart thermostat is a good approach to keep energy costs under control. Although mosthouses use programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage as it’s on “hold” permanently.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s because it learns your temperature preferences and routine, 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.

For the typical home, 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 thermostat pay for itself in under two years. And most utility providers have rebate programs that help you purchase a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re installing a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to be sure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you may run into troubles, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a specialist like Scott Temperature help you pick a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to find out if the Nest can run with your HVAC system.

Nest is Compatible with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have an easy transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a match, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the biggest number of home comfort systems, such as 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 pro like Scott Temperature 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 come across information about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t get ample power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s likely still ok to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to consume small amounts of power. In most cases, this means they can run properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing erratic heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Scott Temperature can add a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Getting a new thermostat makes it simple to manage your energy and cooling expenses while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Scott Temperature can help you select the ideal model for your home and then professionally install it. Reach us at 785-269-0465 to get started today!