Smart thermostats manage your household temperatures by learning your preferences and using them to create automatic heating and cooling schedules. These “set it and forget it” devices save money by running your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system more efficiently and reducing energy usage.

They save your preferences and automatically adjust the temperature based upon your habits. Nest thermostats are widely considered to be the best on the market. We’ll break down all the essential things to know about Nest thermostats, including important compatibility considerations to decide which one works best in your home with your HVAC system.

What is a Nest thermostat?

It’s a well-designed, attractive, easy-to-use and highly efficient thermostat that saves, on average, 10%-15% on your heating and cooling costs. You can use a Nest thermostat to control several system functions, including humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work independently of your heating and air conditioning.

Some homes have zoned systems that use multiple thermostats to control heating and cooling. This way, different areas in the house can be set at different temperatures. The Nest system can control up to 20 thermostats per household.

Nest thermostats are designed to work with most air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces, whether they’re powered by electricity, natural gas or oil. (BestReviews)



Is a Nest thermostat compatible with my system? 

One of the Nest models is likely to work with whatever HVAC system you have. Nest thermostats work with systems powered by electricity, natural gas and oil. They operate with furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps.

A few systems are not compatible, especially old ones. But almost all work fine with only some simple wiring.The easiest way you can find out which ones will work with your system before buying it is by using their online Compatibility Checker. Some existing HVAC systems, especially older ones, may require professional installation.

How should I install my Nest thermostat?

You can do it yourself, or you can get professional help installing and setting up your Nest products. All you have to do is contact Nest's installation partner, OnTech Smart Services. They'll install your Google Nest, set it up, and show you how to use it.

You can also use Google Search to find local HVAC professionals near you. Licensed pros are certified by a rigorous approval process. They benefit from Nest’s exceptional call support and online help.

Best Nest thermostats

All Nest thermostats come in a choice of colors and have crisp LCDs and mirrored glass lenses. Sensors detect temperature, humidity, ambient light and motion.

The Nest Smart Thermostat: available at Amazon, Kohl's, Home Depot and Bed Bath & Beyond

The Nest Smart Thermostat operates by voice or through the Google Home app. It adds motion sensitivity and responds well to most voice-activated programs, including Alexa.  It is designed to install yourself, monitors your system, and you can control it from anywhere through the app.

The Nest Thermostat E: available at Kohl's

The Nest Thermostat E works with single-speed fans, the most common type. It tracks your energy history and gives you helpful reminders about your furnace, when it’s time to replace your air filter and more.

The 3rd Gen Nest Learning Thermostat: available at Amazon, Kohl's, Home Depot and Bed Bath & Beyond

Save even more money with rebates, rewards, and offers from your energy provider. It is compatible with one-, two- and three-speed fans and pays for itself within months.

David Van is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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