If you’re one of the typical American households who spends more than $2,000 every year on heating and cooling costs, adding a smart thermostat is a fantastic way to keep energy bills low. Although manyhomes rely on programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being used to the full advantage because it’s on “hold” every day.

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 routine, and then makes an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also keep an eye on it and raise it from nearly anywhere with your smartphone.

For the typical 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 each year, which helps it pay for itself in under two years. And many utility companies provide rebate programs that help you get a smart thermostat for free or close to it.

When you’re upgrading to a smart home thermostat, you’ll want to be sure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially true if your equipment is older. If it’s not, you might have troubles, like weird furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s essential to have a pro like Contra Costa Heating & AC help you select a new thermostat and take care of your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with Most Heating and Cooling Systems

The good news is that Nest designed its thermostat to run with many different 24-volt systems, including older 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 smooth transition. Once you’ve double-checked it’s a fit, your Nest will walk you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with the largest range of home comfort equipment, like heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also works with highly energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll often need a specialist like Contra Costa Heating & AC to complete the in-depth wiring and setup process.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

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

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s likely still all right to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to consume little power. Most of the time, this means they can work properly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and running into strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC professional like Contra Costa Heating & AC can add a C-wire for you.

Our Experts Make Smart Thermostat Installation Quick

Upgrading your thermostat makes it simple to keep track of your utility and cooling expenses while keeping your {house|residences|home comfortable. If you’re considering adding a Nest smart thermostat to your residence, Contra Costa Heating & AC can help you select the ideal model for your budget and then expertly install it. Give us a call at 510-343-9841 to get started now!