If you’re amid the typical American households who spends more than $2,000 annually on heating and cooling expenses, getting a smart thermostat is an excellent approach to keep heating and cooling expenses low. Although manyhouses use programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage 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 learns your temperature preferences and activities, and then creates 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 average home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating bills 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 many utility companies have rebate programs that help you get a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to make sure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you could experience problems, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a professional like Miller Climate Control LLC help you pick a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to figure out 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 covers heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have a smooth transition. Once you’ve confirmed it will work, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the widest number of home comfort units, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with highly energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll typically need a specialist like Miller Climate Control LLC to do the in-depth wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve potentially come across details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs your smart thermostat when it can’t draw enough power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s likely still all right to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to consume little power. Most of the time, this means they can run properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing erratic heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Miller Climate Control LLC can install a C-wire for you.

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Getting a new thermostat makes it a snap to stay on top of your utility and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home cozy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Miller Climate Control LLC can help you find the right model for your home and then skillfully install it. Reach us at 512-937-2001 to begin right away!