If you’re one of the usual American households who pay more than $2,000 annually on utility bills, installing a smart thermostat is a great method to keep utility expenses low. Although manyhouses have programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being used to the full advantage since it’s on “hold” every day.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s since it learns your temperature preferences and schedule, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also monitor and raise it from just about anywhere with your smartphone.

On average, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating costs and about 15% on cooling expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved every year, which helps the thermostat pay for itself in under two years. And most utility companies provide 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 ensure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you could run into issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like GLR Mechanical help you choose a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest is Compatible with the Majority of 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 covers heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to provide a simple transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a fit, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the widest range of home comfort units, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll typically need a pro like GLR Mechanical to handle the detailed wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve potentially found 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 likely still all right to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were made to require not much power. In most cases, this means they can operate properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing odd heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like GLR Mechanical can install a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple

Installing a new thermostat makes it a snap to stay on top of your utility and cooling expenses while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, GLR Mechanical can help you find the right model for your needs and then expertly install it. Reach us at 570-309-0403 to begin now!