Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems drive most of the residential energy consumption in Mesa and the East Valley region. The monthly electricity bills for cooling in our service area are consistently higher than the national average, thus making energy efficiency a major concern.

Smart thermostats are at the heart of energy efficiency strategies. These devices allow granular control of your HVAC system to reduce electricity overconsumption and waste. If your home HVAC still features a traditional thermostat, upgrading to a smart device is a solid first step toward energy efficiency.

At Honest Air Conditioning we often get questions from clients concerned about whether their older HVAC systems can support smart thermostats. Unless your system has not been replaced or upgraded since the 1980s, the answer is mostly yes. Generally speaking, the incompatibility risk is almost negligible for HVAC systems installed in the 21st century.

Smart Thermostat Compatibility

Let’s say your home has a Trane ComfortLink heat pump with a two-stage compressor installed in 2010. Smart thermostats were not common at the time, so ComfortLink systems typically shipped with a standard device instead. The wiring of the unit, however, supported advanced thermostats with programmable features in case homeowners wanted to upgrade.

With 15 years of service, a Trane heat pump still has a few years before it will need replacement. You can upgrade it with a smart thermostat to make it more energy-efficient. To ensure a successful installation, you must understand the wiring and a few specs.

Voltage

Most residential thermostats feature a 24V control circuit, which is the same for our Trane heat pump example. This is the first compatibility requirement. Older HVAC systems work with 120V or 240V high-voltage, so they are compatible with a few smart thermostats.

Wiring

Smart thermostat terminals include R, W, Y, G, and C wires. Two-stage systems like our example Trane heat pump will also have W2 and Y2 wires included in many modern thermostats. Some older systems may not have a dedicated “C” (common) wire, but not all smart thermostats will need it.

Printed Circuit Boards

Smart thermostats and HVAC systems connect through wires and communicate through PCBs. The integrated PCBs must be compatible to ensure proper signaling and control. The engineering of smart thermostats promotes universal PCB compatibility.

Manufacturer Compatibility

Smart thermostat brands provide compatibility lists and customer support to help you determine the right model. Our technicians can also help you make this determination if you have a specific model in mind.

If the terminals of an older HVAC system do not have a C wire, our technicians can install an adapter. Some smart thermostats work with or without a C wire. Unless your HVAC equipment is from the previous century, it’s possible to retrofit it with a smart thermostat.

The Smart Thermostat Upgrade Process

When you’re ready to upgrade your thermostat, the first step is to select the brand and model. If you get one from the Salt River Project (SRP) utility, you can get an instant rebate. You can also get one from our Carrier catalog, which you can review during our free in-home estimate.

We start by verifying the compatibility of your existing HVAC system, the wiring, and PCBs. Our technicians bring adapters in case there’s no C wire. We check the wiring and its condition, identifying and labeling each wire for accurate reconnection. After safely disconnecting and removing the old thermostat, we proceed with the unit replacement. If the PCB of the HVAC equipment doesn’t communicate with the new thermostat, we can replace it.

After installation and mounting, we configure all settings and check all features. If you have a smart home automation hub or Wi-Fi network, our technicians will check for proper connections and pairing. We’ll test the system to ensure proper operation of heating, cooling, and fan functions.

Our technicians will give you a walkthrough of the new thermostat features, including Wi-Fi connectivity, temperature schedules, and remote access. We’ll answer all questions and explain applicable rebates.

Before our technicians arrive, it’s a good idea to ensure they will have clear access to the existing thermostat. Have your Wi-Fi network name and password handy when connecting to the new device. You can combine the smart thermostat upgrade with a seasonal maintenance call or HVAC tune-up. This allows our technicians to inspect and optimize your entire HVAC system, thus maximizing the benefits of your new thermostat.

What You Can Do With a New Smart Thermostat

Upgrading to a smart thermostat unlocks many features that enhance comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency. Beyond simple temperature control, these devices significantly improve the management of your HVAC system and interior comfort.

Most smart thermostats connect to residential Wi-Fi networks; however, some use cellular data directly. This feature allows for remote control through a smartphone app without Wi-Fi, but you will need a mobile data plan. Network connectivity allows you to pre-cool your living spaces before you get home. If your new thermostat features geofencing technology, it can automatically adjust the temperature based on your location. With this feature, the thermostat can activate your preferred settings as you get closer to the house.

The customizable scheduling feature of smart thermostats allows you to set temperatures for specific days and times. This provides an efficient method to optimize comfort and minimize energy waste at night or when you’re away. If you have a smart home automation network, you can connect your new thermostat for more granular control. Most new models offer voice control integration through digital assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Most smart thermostats are compatible with smart zoning HVAC systems. This allows you to independently control the temperature in different living spaces, thus optimizing energy efficiency and comfort. If your new device features machine learning algorithms, it will learn to automatically adjust settings. Some models send you reminders about when to change the filters and schedule a maintenance service call.

To maximize your savings with the SRP utility, you can request an instant rebate and enroll in energy-saving programs. The SRP Bring Your Own Thermostat (BYOT) program offers a $50 upfront reduction of your monthly bill. You can also get a $25 credit for additional thermostats in case you have ductless mini-splits. BYOT manages energy demand during seasonal peaks of electricity usage. Your smart thermostat will automatically adjust temperatures slightly for periods of up to three hours. SRP calls these periods “conservation events” to reduce power grid strain, lower costs, and ensure consistent power. You’ll see the savings reflected in your bill.

Honest Air Conditioning takes pride in offering comprehensive HVAC services to homeowners in Mesa and across the East Valley region. Upgrading to smart thermostats is only one of our services; we also offer full HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance as well as indoor air quality services. We train our technicians on all HVAC systems, brands, and models. If you would like to finance a new system, our partnership with Carrier offers low-interest payment plans on approved credit.

To learn more about your smart thermostat options in Mesa, contact Honest Air Conditioning today.