If you’re one of the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 each year on energy bills, adding a smart thermostat is a great way to keep utility expenses managed. Although mostresidences have programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being made the most of since it’s on “hold” permanently.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s since it adjusts to your temperature preferences and activities, 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 expenses and about 15% on cooling expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, which helps the thermostat pay for itself in under two years. And many utility providers offer rebate programs that help you get a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to be sure it works with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you might have issues, like odd furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a expert like Tokay help you choose a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to find out if the Nest will work with your HVAC system.

Nest is Compatible with Many Heating and Cooling Systems

The good news is that Nest designed its thermostat to operate with many different 24-volt systems, including old 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 ensure a simple transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a match, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the biggest range of home comfort units, such as 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 professional like Tokay to handle the complicated wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve likely found info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t draw ample power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s probably still ok to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to use little power. In most cases, this means they can work normally without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into odd heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Tokay can add a C-wire for you.

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Installing a new thermostat makes it easier to stay on top 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, Tokay can help you select the right model for your home and then expertly install it. Reach us at 209-257-3156 to get started right away!