If you’re one of the average American households who spends more than $2,000 annually on utility bills, getting a smart thermostat is a good way to keep heating and cooling costs low. Although mosthouses have programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being used to the full advantage because it’s on “hold” permanently.

When getting a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s since it learns your temperature preferences and schedule, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and change it from just about 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 each year, which helps the product pay for itself in less 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 getting old. If it’s not, you could have issues, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a specialist like May's Heating & Air help you pick a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest is Compatible with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This involves heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to provide a smooth transition. Once you’ve checked it will work, your Nest will lead you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the widest types 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 May's Heating & Air to do the in-depth wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve probably found info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t get 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 designed to use not much power. In most cases, this means they can run properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like May's Heating & Air can add a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Installing a new thermostat makes it easier to manage your utility and cooling bills while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, May's Heating & Air can help you choose the best model for your home and then skillfully install it. Call us at 301-690-0397 to start now!