If you’re one of the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 annually on energy costs, adding a smart thermostat is a great method to keep heating and cooling costs managed. Although manyhouses rely on programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage because it’s on “hold” permanently.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s because it learns your temperature preferences and routine, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and lower it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating expenses and about 15% on cooling costs. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, which helps the thermostat pay for itself in under two years. And most utility companies offer rebate programs that help you install 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 true if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you might have issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a specialist like Integrity AC & Heating LLC help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Runs 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 involves heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have a smooth transition. Once you’ve double-checked it will work, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the biggest types of home comfort equipment, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a professional like Integrity AC & Heating LLC to handle the detailed wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

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

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s likely still ok to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were made to require little power. Most of the time, this means they can operate properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Integrity AC & Heating LLC can add a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Getting a new thermostat makes it simple to stay on top of your utility and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Integrity AC & Heating LLC can help you select the ideal model for your home and then skillfully install it. Give us a call at 602-971-0567 to begin today!