Description
More details on the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, 3rd Generation
Product Research
Features
Overview: The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation) can help lower your heating and
cooling costs by simply learning your schedule and living habits. You can
install it yourself, or have it professionally installed. The Nest Thermostat programs itself in about a week to create a
personalized schedule, based on the temperature changes you\’ve made.
average, Nest reduces your heating bill by about 10%-12%, and your cooling
bill by about 15%, according to Nest.
Design: Nest is an easy-to-use thermostat with only two controls–turn
it up and turn it down–using the large stainless steel outer ring. It features
a bright 2.08" diameter, 24-bit color LCD screen (40% brighter than 2nd
generation), with a resolution of 480 x 480 pixels, and 229 pixels per inch (25%
more than 2nd generation). The display shows you the temperature in large, easy-to-read numerals.
Included with the thermostat are a steel mounting plate that will fit onto a
square electrical box (if your system has one), and a plastic trim plate (4.3" x 6") to cover up screw holes left by your
old thermostat, if needed. When mounted, Nest protrudes from the wall only 1.22"
(1.43" if you have to use the included wall trim plate).
Installation: The Nest Learning Thermostat works with about 95% of
24-volt home heating and cooling systems, including gas, electric, forced air,
heat pump, radiant, oil, hot water, solar, and geothermal systems.
Replacing your system\’s thermostat with Nest requires connecting a number of
small-gauge wires by color code, or labeled by function with the supplied
labels. It even comes with its own screwdriver and mounting hardware, and has a
built-in level for proper installation. If you\’re
not comfortable with installing it yourself, you can have it professionally
installed by a Nest Pro in your area.
wires with wire nuts, your system is high voltage and is not compatible with
Nest.
Sensors: The Nest Learning Thermostat has internal sensors
that can affect the way it controls your heating and cooling system. The
thermostat has activity sensors with a 150° wide-angle view which enables Nest
to activate the Auto-Away feature in most homes. The activity sensors are more
sensitive than in previous generations. Ten temperature sensors keep
track of your home\’s temperature, and how quickly it changes. It can also adjust
itself if the thermostat is subjected to direct sunlight so it will read and set
the correct temperature. It also adjusts the brightness of the display according
to ambient light levels. A built-in humidity sensor can help manage a whole-home
humidifier or dehumidifier. When connected to Wi-Fi, Nest will keep up with
changing weather forecasts, and how the weather affects your energy
usage.
Farsight: Previous generations of Nest required you to be
within about 3 feet to wake up the device. The 3rd generation has more
sensitive motion detectors and a new Farsight feature that can automatically light up the display when you enter the room.
When it detects activity in the room, the unit will display the target temperature you have set, or the
current time on a digital or analog clock face.
System Match: There are many types of heating and cooling systems. The
Nest Learning Thermostat adapts to the system you have, whether you have
conventional forced air, heat pump with auxiliary heat, dual fuel, or radiant.
System Match turns on features that are specific to your system type to help
keep you comfortable and save energy:
- True Radiant: True Radiant keeps homes with in-floor radiant or
boiler-to-radiator systems more comfortable. It reduces temperature swings
and starts heating early so you get the temperature you want when you want
it. - Heat Pump Balance: Heat Pump Balance lets you choose how much
expensive auxiliary heat you use according to your preferences to help you
save money while staying comfortable. - Early On: Early-On takes into account how much time it takes for
your heating/cooling system to reach the desired temperature after the temperature setting changes. Similar to pre-heating your oven before baking,
Early-On starts heating or cooling in advance so that the desired
temperature is reached at the time the temperature change is scheduled. For
example, if you wish for the temperature to be 72°
at 6:00pm, the system may start heating at 5:30pm in order to reach the
desired temperature by 6:00pm. - Airwave: Airwave lowers air conditioning costs by using
the fan more and the AC compressor less. Most thermostats keep the air
conditioner compressor and fan running until the target temperature is
reached. Nest\’s Airwave technology turns off the compressor a few minutes
before the target temperature is reached, but continues running the fan,
taking advantage of the fact that compressor coils generate cold air for 5
to 10 additional minutes after the compressor is off. Airwave automatically
turns on when the interior humidity falls below a certain level. - Cool to Dry: If you live in a humid area, moisture in
the air can cause mold to grow inside your home, especially if you leave it
unattended for a long time with the air conditioner off. Nest\’s Cool to Dry
feature uses the home\’s air conditioner to reduce the excess humidity. If
your heating/cooling system has a dehumidification mode, you can possibly
use Cool to Dry to enhance the dehumidification process. (A Nest Pro
installer can determine this.) - Filter Reminders: The Nest Thermostat will remind you
when it\’s time to change your filters. Nest uses a system runtime monitor to
estimate when to send a Filter Reminder. If the summer has been cooler than
normal, the air conditioning probably hasn\’t worked as often or as hard, so
you may go months without a Filter Reminder. However, if it has been a cold
winter, and your heating system has worked harder than normal, you are
likely to receive Filter Reminders more frequently.
Furnace Heads-Up: A new feature of the Nest 3rd Generation
is Furnace Heads-up. Most heating and forced air furnaces have an automatic
shutoff to avoid overheating. The Nest Thermostat will analyze shutoff patterns
to see if there are potential problems with your heating system. If a problem is
detected, Nest will send you a Heads-Up message on the Nest App, on the
thermostat display twice a year, and in your Home Report once a month.
Generations will be eligible for the Furnace Heads-Up feature through a
software update in the future.
Programming: Once installed, Nest begins learning your schedule. You
will need to make the desired temperature adjustments manually for the first
week or so. For example, you might want to turn the heat down to save energy
while you sleep, and turn it up when you get up. Likewise, you\’ll want to save
energy while you\’re at work by turning down the thermostat when you leave. After
a few days and nights, Nest will learn these habits and start doing them for
you.
Wi-Fi Remote Control: The Nest Thermostat can be connected to your
home\’s Wi-Fi network, which allows it to be accessed remotely by laptop,
smartphone, or tablet from any place with an Internet connection.
You will need to set up a Nest Account, and download the Nest app on your
smartphone or tablet in order to securely access and control your Nest products.
When the Nest Thermostat is connected to Wi-Fi, it will
automatically receive software updates. With your Nest Account, you can manage
up to 10 Nest Thermostats divided between 2 homes. The free Nest app is
available from the iTunes App Store for iPhone and iPad (iOS 8.0 or later), and
from Google Play for Android devices running Version 4.0.3 and up.
Nest Sense: After a few days, Nest has learned your schedule and
preferences. Nest Sense begins to automatically activate the following
features to help save you energy:
- Auto-Schedule: Nest learns your schedule and
preferences during the initial week and programs itself. Once the thermostat
has learned your habits, the Auto-Schedule could cut up to 20% off of your
heating and cooling bill. - Auto-Away: Auto-Away saves energy by reducing heating
and cooling in empty homes. Instead of having to turn the thermostat down
every time you leave the house, and back up when you return, the Nest
Learning Thermostat can sense that you\’re away and turn itself down
automatically. You can set the Away temperatures during setup. - Nest Leaf: The Nest Leaf appears in the display when
you choose a temperature that will save energy. It is designed to provide
simple feedback when you do something to save energy. Changing the
temperature by just one degree can save up to 5% on your energy use. You can
view how many Leafs are earned in your Energy History in your Nest Account. - Auto-Tune: Auto-Tune operates these two Nest services:
- Rush Hour Rewards: During peak energy usage, when
everyone is using their air conditioners, some energy providers try to
lower demand by offering rewards to customers who reduce their energy
consumption during peaks. Auto-Tune will alter your schedule by
automatically cooling your home ahead of the peak hours, or make small
tweaks to the temperature. You\’re always in control of the temperature,
so you can change the temperature at any time if you start feeling warm. - Seasonal Savings: Seasonal Savings can save you
5-10% on heating and air conditioning costs. The Seasonal Savings
service slowly fine-tunes the temperatures in your schedule to reduce
energy consumption. It may adjust the temperature a degree while you
sleep, or while you\’re away. These small tweaks will add up over time.
As with Rush Hour Rewards, you are still in control, and can adjust the
thermostat at any time.
- Rush Hour Rewards: During peak energy usage, when
Energy History: If you\’re using the Nest App on your
smartphone or tablet, you can view the detailed Energy History. You can scroll
up and down to view your last 10 days of energy use, including the total time
your system was on. Each day\’s report can be expanded to show you a graphical
view of what times the AC or heat was on. You can see if you earned a Nest Leaf
for that day, and see your temperature setpoints and adjustments. If your energy
use was particularly different that day, an icon will explain the reason (i.e.
cloudy, sunny, away, home, etc.). Through your Nest account, you can receive by
email a monthly Energy Report with a summary of your energy use, and tips on how
to save.
Integration With Other Nest Products: In addition to the
Learning Thermostat, Nest also makes the Nest Protect Smoke + CO (carbon
monoxide) detector, and the Nest Cam. These products are designed to work
together with the Learning Thermostat and the Nest App. The Nest Protect is
equipped with occupancy detectors that can improve the Auto-Away algorithms of
the Nest Learning Thermostat. The thermostat can automatically shut off your
heating system, a potential source of carbon monoxide, if high levels of CO are
detected (by Nest Protect). Also, when you set the Nest Thermostat to Away mode,
it can communicate with Nest Cam to turn itself on. Likewise, when you switch
your thermostat to Home, it can automatically turn off Nest Cam. In addition,
Nest Learning Thermostat can also work with other 3rd party products such as
Philips Hue (lighting),
Automatic (driving), and
Logitech Harmony (remote control), to help you save energy and stay
comfortable.
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