If you’re among the usual American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on heating and cooling bills, adding a smart thermostat is a good method to keep energy expenses low. Although mostresidences rely on programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being used to the full advantage because it’s on “hold” permanently.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s because it picks up on your temperature preferences and schedule, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and raise it from almost anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average 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 in under two years. And most 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 works with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you may run into issues, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a pro like Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc help you choose a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This involves heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to provide a smooth transition. Once you’ve checked it will work, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the biggest types of home comfort equipment, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a pro like Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc to do the complicated wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve probably run into information about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire runs your smart thermostat when it can’t get adequate power from the other wires.

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

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into odd heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc can install a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Getting a new thermostat makes it a snap to manage your energy and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home cozy. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc can help you select the ideal model for your needs and then expertly install it. Give us a call at 715-301-0256 to begin today!