If you’re one of the average American households who spends more than $2,000 every year on utility bills, getting a smart thermostat is an excellent way to keep heating and cooling costs under control. Although manyhomes use programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being made the most of because it’s on “hold” permanently.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. 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 raise it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.

On average, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating expenses 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 many utility businesses offer rebate programs that help you install a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to make sure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you could have issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a professional like Luikart Heating & Cooling help you pick a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest is Compatible with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This covers heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to ensure a smooth transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a fit, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.

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

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve likely found details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs your smart thermostat when it can’t get enough power from the other wires.

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

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing odd heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like Luikart Heating & Cooling can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple

Upgrading your thermostat makes it a snap to manage your utility and cooling expenses while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Luikart Heating & Cooling can help you choose the right model for your home and then professionally install it. Give us a call at 740-344-5497 to get started now!