If you’re amid the average American households who pay more than $2,000 annually on energy bills, adding a smart thermostat is a good way to keep utility expenses under control. Although mostresidences rely on programmable thermostats, yours probably isn’t being used to the full advantage because it’s on “hold” permanently.

When upgrading your thermostat, the Nest smart thermostat is one of the best sellers. That’s since it learns your temperature preferences and activities, and then develops an energy-efficient schedule to match. You can also monitor and lower it from nearly anywhere with your smartphone.

For the average home, Nest says its thermostat saves about 10-12% on heating costs and about 15% on cooling expenses. That’s about $131 to $145 saved annually, which helps it pay for itself in less two years. And most utility providers provide 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 ensure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. This is especially important if your equipment is aging. If it’s not, you may run into issues, like erratic furnace or air conditioner behavior. That’s why it’s critical to have a expert like Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. help you select a new thermostat and do your smart thermostat installation.

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

Nest Works with Many Heating and Cooling Systems

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

This involves heating and cooling systems that use:

  • Natural gas
  • Oil
  • Electricity

Before you buy a Nest, you can use the Compatibility Checker to ensure a simple transition. Once you’ve confirmed it’s a fit, your Nest will guide you through compatibility and wiring during the setup process.

The Nest Learning Thermostat can run with the widest types of home comfort systems, such as heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners. It also operates with extremely energy-efficient multistage systems, dual-fuel equipment, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, but you’ll typically need a specialist like Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. to do the detailed wiring and setup steps.

Does the Nest Need a C-Wire?

If you’ve looked into the Nest, you’ve likely run into details about the C-wire, or common wire. This wire powers your smart thermostat when it can’t draw adequate power from the other wires.

If you don’t have a C-wire, it’s probably still okay to install a Nest. The company says its thermostats were created to require little power. Most of the time, this means they can run correctly without this wire.

Have a smart thermostat without a C-wire and noticing strange heating and cooling behavior? An HVAC specialist like Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. can install a C-wire for you.

Our Pros Make Smart Thermostat Installation Easy

Installing a new thermostat makes it a snap to stay on top of your energy and cooling expenses while keeping your {house|residences|home cozy. If you want to add a Nest smart thermostat to your house, Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. can help you choose the best model for your needs and then skillfully install it. Reach us at 419-465-8722 to start today!