How to Learn if Your HVAC System is Compatible with a Nest Smart Thermostat

March 10, 2021

If you’re one of the average American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on utility costs, adding a smart thermostat is a great way to keep energy bills under control. Although most residences use programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being made the most of since it’s on “hold” permanently.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s due to the fact it picks up on your temperature preferences and routine, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and lower 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 costs. That’s about $131 to $145 saved each year, which helps the thermostat pay for itself faster than two years. And the majority of utility companies have 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 make 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 issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like B&D Air Conditioning help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

The good news is that Nest designed 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 purchase a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have a smooth transition. Once you’ve checked it will work, your Nest will work you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the widest types of home comfort equipment, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with highly energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a pro like B&D Air Conditioning to complete the detailed wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve probably run into info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire energizes your smart thermostat when it can’t pull 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 designed to consume little power. Many times, this means they can operate correctly without this wire.

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

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Installing a new thermostat makes it simple to manage your utility and cooling bills while keeping your home comfortable. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, B&D Air Conditioning can help you select the right model for your home and then professionally install it. Give us a call at 928-432-6018 to begin right away!