Learn if the Nest Smart Thermostat Can Run with Your HVAC System

March 10, 2021

If you’re one of the typical American households who spends more than $2,000 each year on energy costs, installing a smart thermostat is a great approach to keep utility costs low. Although most homes have programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being made the most of as 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 picks up on your temperature preferences and activities, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and adjust it from nearly anywhere with your smartphone.

For the typical home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating bills and about 15% on cooling bills. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, which helps the product pay for itself faster than two years. And most utility companies offer rebate programs that help you purchase a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you may have problems, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a expert like Smyth Air Conditioning Inc help you choose a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

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

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the widest range of home comfort systems, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a pro like Smyth Air Conditioning Inc to do the complicated wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve likely run into information about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes 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 all right to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to consume not much power. Most of the time, this means they can operate normally without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing weird heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Smyth Air Conditioning Inc can add a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple

Upgrading your thermostat makes it a snap to stay on top of your heating and cooling bills while keeping your house comfortable. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Smyth Air Conditioning Inc can help you choose the best model for your budget and then expertly install it. Give us a call at 561-533-6066 to get started right away!