Google has created quite a few smart home devices over the past decade, and now they are even providing a thermostat! The Nest thermostat is very popular amongst consumers for various reasons such as its simple usability, easy installation, alert system, and its energy-saving abilities. If you want to know a little more about the technical side of the Nest including its power, voltage, wiring, and C-wire capabilities and connection options, have we got the article for you!
The Google Nest thermostat will not typically need any more power than your current heating and cooling system already has, it runs on a low voltage, can connect via your pre-installed wiring, and is compatible with the common or C-wire in most homes.
Each of these factors requires a little more explanation, even if you are a professional electrician! So let’s break them down and find out everything you need to know about how a Nest thermostat will work with the electrical systems of your home.
Power
Thermostats clearly need power to operate, and there are essentially two ways to ensure your Nest thermostat has enough power to work properly: through the wires of your previous thermostat or with a plug socket.
Existing Wires
If you are simply replacing an old thermostat with a smart Nest system, you can and should use the wires already optimal for connection.
To ensure the wires you have installed are compatible with the Nest thermostat, you should check if you have a C-wire and an R-wire that both adhere to your HVAC system (the links provided will lead you to sites that can help you identify these wires.)
Plug Socket
A cord that connects your Next thermostat to a standard electrical plug will come included in your thermostat purchase.
It’s is important t remember that once you install the Nest thermostat into your wall, it really shouldn’t be moved. So when you’re choosing a place to adhere your thermostat, make sure the cord comfortably reaches the plug socket if this is the type of power you are planning to use.
Wifi
While the Nest thermostat is a smart device, it surprisingly does not need Wifi to function. However, if you want to use some of the helpful features in controlling your thermostat, you will need to download the Google Home app and with Wifi or data.
Power Connector
Depending on your old system and whether or not you already have a compatible C-wire installed, your Nest may need a power connector external device in order to successfully access enough energy from your HVAC. To check if you are going to need one, you can take this easy quiz provided by Google.
No matter which power source you use or if you need a power connector, the Nest should realistically use the same among of voltage, and the good news is, it’s pretty low!
Voltage
The power options which we have just described are what charge the internal battery on the Nest thermostat, and we use the term voltage to describe this power supply.
Google claims that 85% of standard HVAC 24 volt systems already installed in your house be sufficient voltage to run the Nest thermostat.
Your Nest should always be receiving more than 3.6V to ensure the battery is staying charged. If for some reason your thermostat continues to power down, or the display won’t show, it’s probably a battery and or voltage problem, but Google has a few troubleshooting solutions if you are having trouble with your battery voltage.
Wiring
In order to figure out if the wires that were installed for your previous thermostat will work with the Nest, you need to answer yet another one of Google’s compatibility quizzes.
If you are not an expert on wiring, you will probably want to have the wire identifier on hand, but other than that you won’t need any tools and it should be a fairly easy process.
As we mentioned, you will probably need the R-wire and the C-wire already installed, and here’s what you need to know about that very important common or C-wire.
C-Wire
The common wire, most often called the C-wire, does not actually connect your heating and cooling systems but is in fact a power connector.
If you cannot find the C-wire, there here is a chance that you do not need it. You can use the previously described power connector instead.
However, Google does say that the C-wire will work better in regards to ensuring your thermostat has ample power. Once it is connected, your Nest thermostat will let you know if the wire is delivering enough power to recharge the internal battery.
If for some reason your C-wire is not providing enough energy, this may be another case in which you will want to purchase the power connector.
The C-wire could give you a little trouble if it’s not connected or working properly, but luckily, Google has a top-notch support page that addresses the many troubleshooting solutions you could need to fix any problem!
Conclusion
Maybe you’re not an electrician yet, but hopefully you now understand a bit more about how your Nest thermostat works from the technical side of the device!
