Want to Upgrade to the Nest Smart Thermostat? Figure Out if Its Compatible with Your HVAC System First

March 10, 2021

If you’re among the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on energy bills, installing a smart thermostat is a good method to keep energy expenses managed. Although the majority of residences rely on programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being made the most of as it’s on “hold” permanently.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s since it picks up on your temperature preferences and routine, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and raise 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 expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved every year, which helps the thermostat pay for itself quicker than two years. And most utility companies offer 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 be sure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you may run into troubles, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a specialist like Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest is Compatible with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This includes heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to provide a simple transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a match, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the largest types of home comfort systems, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a specialist like Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. to complete the complicated wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve probably found details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t pull ample power from the other wires.

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

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into erratic heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. can add a C-wire for you.

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Simple

Upgrading your thermostat makes it easier to keep track of your energy and cooling expenses while keeping your house comfy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your home, Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. can help you choose the right model for your budget and then professionally install it. Give us a call at 863-216-2923 to get started right away!