If you’re one of the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 each year on heating and cooling costs, getting a smart thermostat is a great method to keep energy costs under control. Although the majority of homes use programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being used to the full advantage since it’s on “hold” permanently.
When getting a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s because it adjusts to your temperature preferences and routine, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also monitor and change it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.
For the typical home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating costs and about 15% on cooling costs. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, 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 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 aging. If it’s not, you might experience issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a pro like Luikart Heating & Cooling help you select a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.
Here’s how to figure out if the Nest will work with your HVAC system.
Nest Runs with Many Heating and Cooling Systems
The good news is that Nest made its thermostat to work with many different 24-volt systems, including older 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 simple transition. Once you’ve checked it’s compatible, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the largest number of home comfort equipment, 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 typically need a pro like Luikart Heating & Cooling to complete the complicated wiring and setup procedures.
Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?
If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve probably come across information 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 usually still all right to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to consume not much power. Most of the time, this means they can work normally without this wire.
Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like Luikart Heating & Cooling can put in a C-wire for you.
Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple
Getting a new thermostat makes it simple to stay on top of your heating and cooling costs while keeping your house cozy. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Luikart Heating & Cooling can help you select the right model for your home and then expertly install it. Give us a call at 740-200-5591 to start right away!