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

March 10, 2021

If you’re one of the typical American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on energy bills, getting a smart thermostat is an excellent method to keep energy bills managed. Although many residences use programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being maximized since it’s on “hold” all the time.

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 activities, and then creates an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and raise it from almost 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 annually, which helps the product pay for itself in less two years. And most utility businesses offer rebate programs that help you install a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re getting a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to be sure it works with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you may have issues, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s important to have a pro like Heartland Heating & Cooling help you select a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

Here’s how to determine if the Nest can run with your HVAC system.

Nest Works with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This involves heating and cooling systems that run on:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you get a Nest, you can run the Compatibility Checker to make sure you have an easy transition. Once you’ve checked it’s a match, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring when you start using it.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the largest number of home comfort systems, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also runs with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a professional like Heartland Heating & Cooling to complete the in-depth wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Require a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into 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 draw ample power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s usually still okay to use a Nest. The company says its thermostats were designed to use small amounts of power. Most of the time, this means they can work normally without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing odd heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Heartland Heating & Cooling can install a C-wire for you.

Our Professionals Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Upgrading your thermostat makes it simple to manage your heating and cooling expenses while keeping your residences comfy. If you’re thinking about adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Heartland Heating & Cooling can help you find the right model for your home and then professionally install it. Reach us at 515-344-3579 to get started now!