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 average American households who pay more than $2,000 every year on heating and cooling bills, installing a smart thermostat is a fantastic method to keep energy costs low. Although many homes rely on programmable thermostats, chances are yours isn’t being made the most of as it’s on “hold” every day.

When installing a new thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the top sellers. That’s since it learns your temperature preferences and schedule, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also check and change 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 bills. That’s about $131 to $145 saved each year, which helps it pay for itself in under two years. And many utility providers 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 ensure it will work with your HVAC system. This is especially essential if your equipment is getting old. If it’s not, you might experience issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a expert like Brookwood Inc help you choose 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 Runs with the Majority of Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This covers heating and cooling systems powered by:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you purchase a Nest, you can put your details into the Compatibility Checker to provide a simple transition. Once you’ve checked it will work, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring when you set it up.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the biggest range of home comfort equipment, including heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with very energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll likely need a pro like Brookwood Inc to do the complicated wiring and setup procedures.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve done research on the Nest, you’ve probably found info about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t get enough power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s probably still all right to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to require little power. In most cases, this means they can run properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and experiencing strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC pro like Brookwood Inc can put in a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Upgrading your thermostat makes it simple to keep track of your heating and cooling expenses while keeping your house comfortable. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Brookwood Inc can help you find the ideal model for your home and then skillfully install it. Give us a call at 641-316-9803 to get started now!