If you’re one of the average American households who spends more than $2,000 annually on heating and cooling expenses, installing a smart thermostat is an excellent method to keep energy costs managed. Although manyresidences rely on programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being made the most of since it’s on “hold” every day.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s since it adjusts to your temperature preferences and activities, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and change it from nearly anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating costs and about 15% on cooling bills. That’s about $131 to $145 saved every year, which helps the product pay for itself in under two years. And the majority of utility providers provide rebate programs that help you install a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re getting a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you could have troubles, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a expert like Bigfoot Mechanical help you select a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with Many Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to provide a smooth transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a match, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the widest range of home comfort units, 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 likely need a professional like Bigfoot 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 likely run into details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t get ample power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s usually still okay to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were made to consume not much power. Most of the time, this means they can run properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Bigfoot Mechanical can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Getting a new thermostat makes it a snap to manage your energy and cooling expenses while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Bigfoot Mechanical can help you select the ideal model for your budget and then professionally install it. Give us a call at 509-392-8770 to get started right away!