If you’re one of the usual American households who pay more than $2,000 annually on energy expenses, installing a smart thermostat is an excellent way to keep energy bills managed. Although mostresidences have programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being used to the full advantage because it’s on “hold” all the time.
When getting 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 activities, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and lower it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.
On average, 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 quicker than two years. And many utility businesses provide rebate programs that help you purchase a smart thermostat for free or close to it.
When you’re getting a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you may experience troubles, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a professional like Fire & Ice HVAC help you pick a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.
Here’s how to determine if the Nest can run with your HVAC system.
Nest Runs with Many Heating and Cooling Systems
The good news is that Nest designed its thermostat to work with many different 24-volt systems, including old ones.
This covers heating and cooling systems that run on:
- Natural gas
- Oil
- Electricity
Before you get a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to provide a smooth transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a match, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.
The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the largest types of home comfort systems, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a specialist like Fire & Ice HVAC to handle the in-depth wiring and setup steps.
Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?
If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve probably run into information about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t get adequate 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 made to use not much power. Most of the time, this means they can run normally without this wire.
Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Fire & Ice HVAC can add a C-wire for you.
Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick
Installing a new thermostat makes it simple to stay on top of your utility and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Fire & Ice HVAC can help you find the best model for your needs and then professionally install it. Give us a call at 703-595-4157 to begin today!