Learn if the Nest Smart Thermostat Works with Your HVAC System

March 10, 2021

If you’re among the usual American households who shell out more than $2,000 each year on heating and cooling expenses, getting a smart thermostat is a great approach to keep energy bills low. Although many houses have programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being maximized as it’s on “hold” every day.

When getting a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s because it learns your temperature preferences and schedule, and then makes 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 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 faster than two years. And most utility providers provide rebate programs that help you purchase a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re getting a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to be sure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you might run into troubles, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a specialist like Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Runs with Many Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This covers heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to ensure an easy transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a match, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the widest types of home comfort systems, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a specialist like Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning to complete the complicated wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Need 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 pull enough 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 designed to consume not much power. Many times, this means they can work properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning can install a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Upgrading your thermostat makes it simple to stay on top of your heating and cooling bills while keeping your residences cozy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning can help you choose the best model for your home and then skillfully install it. Call us at 512-355-1482 to start right away!