If you’re one of the average American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on utility bills, getting a smart thermostat is a good way to keep energy costs under control. Although manyresidences use programmable thermostats, yours likely isn’t being made the most of because it’s on “hold” all the time.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the most popular options. That’s due to the fact it picks up on your temperature preferences and schedule, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and change it from nearly anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating expenses and about 15% on cooling costs. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, which helps the product pay for itself in under two years. And the majority of utility providers provide rebate programs that help you install a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it works with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you could experience problems, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a professional like Ilten's help you pick a new thermostat and handle your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This covers heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

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

The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the largest number of home comfort units, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll typically need a professional like Ilten's to handle the complicated wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Have to Have a C-Wire?

If you’ve read up on the Nest, you’ve likely come across 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 usually still okay to get a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created 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 erratic heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Ilten's can add a C-wire for you.

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Installing a new thermostat makes it simple to manage your heating and cooling costs while keeping your {house|residences|home comfy. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Ilten's can help you select the best model for your budget and then skillfully install it. Reach us at 319-208-2351 to begin now!