If you’re among the typical American households who shell out more than $2,000 every year on energy costs, installing a smart thermostat is a good method to keep utility costs under control. Although mosthomes have programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being made the most of because it’s on “hold” permanently.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s due to the fact it picks up on your temperature preferences and schedule, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and lower it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.

For the typical home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating bills and about 15% on cooling costs. That’s about $131 to $145 saved every year, which helps the product pay for itself in under two years. And most utility providers provide rebate programs that help you purchase a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it works with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you could experience problems, like odd furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a specialist like Paniccia Heating & Cooling help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Runs 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 includes heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to ensure a simple transition. Once you’ve double-checked it will work, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the largest types of home comfort units, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with highly energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a pro like Paniccia Heating & Cooling to handle the detailed wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve potentially come across info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t pull enough power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s probably still ok to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to use 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 experiencing weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Paniccia Heating & Cooling can add a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Getting a new thermostat makes it a snap to manage your utility and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Paniccia Heating & Cooling can help you find the right model for your needs and then professionally install it. Give us a call at 219-872-2198 to get started right away!