If you’re amid the usual American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on heating and cooling bills, installing a smart thermostat is a great approach to keep heating and cooling costs managed. Although the majority ofresidences rely on programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being used to the full advantage as it’s on “hold” all the time.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s because it picks up on your temperature preferences and schedule, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and lower it from nearly 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 annually, which helps it pay for itself in less two years. And most utility companies have rebate programs that help you get a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re getting a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to make sure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you might experience issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a pro like Lakeside Heating & Air help you choose a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to ensure an easy transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a match, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the largest number of home comfort units, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a pro like Lakeside Heating & Air to complete the in-depth wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve probably come across info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs your smart thermostat when it can’t pull adequate power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s probably still all right to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were made to use small amounts of power. In most cases, this means they can operate properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Lakeside Heating & Air can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Installing a new thermostat makes it simple to keep track of your energy and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Lakeside Heating & Air can help you select the right model for your budget and then professionally install it. Give us a call at 509-284-4265 to begin today!