What We Love About The Nest Learning Thermostat

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Nest Learning Thermostats have been available for a few years. It has become increasingly popular, and many often research it to read the best Nest Learning Thermostat reviews.

Nest is a highly-rated and reviewed smart thermostat. Nest has kept up with technological advancements by producing updated generations of the Nest Learning Thermostat, each faster and more intuitive than the last.

Nest is great for many reasons, including its design and ability to integrate with legacy systems. Below we review the Nest Learning Thermostat from the packaging to the final installation. 

Google’s Thermostat Compatibility Checker

First, before placing your order and committing to your purchase, it is of the utmost importance that you use the Google Thermostat Compatibility Checker.

The Google Thermostat Compatibility Checker is a tool that will help you determine if the Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with your legacy system. It walks you through a series of questions to help create the determination. 

After navigating to the compatibility checker, it is important to follow a series of steps to get the best and most accurate results. Follow these steps to begin the process:

  1. Go online to the Google Thermostat Compatibility Checker
  2. Click Get Started
  3. Turn off the power to your home
  4. Remove the faceplate of your current thermostat once the power is off
  5. Use the next image to see if any of the wires behind your faceplate look like the ones Google shows. If they look similar, then the Nest Learning Thermostat is incompatible; if they don’t, click continue
  6. Click each colored wire that appears behind the faceplate when you are done, click yes, and continue
  7. A compatibility prompt will appear on the next screen, indicating whether or not your home is compatible with the Nest Learning Thermostat.

Once you determine whether or not your thermostat is compatible, you can complete your purchase.

You also aren’t limited to just one Nest Learning Thermostat in your home, so if you need more than one, we have some great information about that.

Unpacking Your Nest Learning Thermostat

Once you get your Nest Learning Thermostat, you will be itching to unpackage it. 

Remove the plastic from the box and open it up. The sleeve with all of the branding slides off, and the box opens after pulling a tab on the back.

Inside, you will have the following:

  • The Nest Learning Thermostat
  • User manual/guide
  • Installation manual
  • Backplate
  • A Nest screwdriver with accompanying screws
  • Installation plate

Be sure to look through every layer of packaging, as the installation plate is at the bottom and looks like additional packaging at a glance.

Installing the Nest Learning Thermostat

Once you have the thermostat unpackaged, it is time to perform the installation. Again ensure that the electricity is off in the home to prevent an electrical accident or shock.

Then follow these easy steps to finish your installation:

  1. Remove the old thermostat
  2. Take the Nest baseplate and install it on the wall. Ensure to use the built-in level to make sure it is properly situated.
    1. It is helpful to note that even if you do not have a stud in your wall or you have drywall, Google’s included screws are self-tapping so that they will hold properly.
  3. Connect each wire to the appropriate letter. For example, if you have a W1, connect it to the W1 on the Nest base. Complete this until each wire is accounted for.
  4. Attach the display to the base.

Your Nest Thermostat is officially installed and ready for use.

Here’s a great video to break down how to install the Nest Learning Thermostat:

Does the Nest Learning Thermostat Require a C Wire?

Many users will find themselves wondering about the need for a C wire. Not every home is equipped with C wire capabilities, making it hard to install new technology.

Google has thought of this issue and has solved it. 

The Nest Learning Thermostat does not require a C wire. Google has made the Nest thermostat so it can pulse on at intervals to speak with the heating system.

Once your Nest Learning Thermostat is installed, you’ll want to connect it to the WiFi in your home and other devices.

Connecting to WiFi and Other Nest Devices

Nest thermostat in box
Unboxing the Nest Learning Thermostat, ready to connect to WiFi.

Once your Nest Learning Thermostat has been plugged in, it will light up and begin an initial installation process. This is when the thermostat will connect to WiFi.

The thermostat will then prompt you to answer a few questions, such as what type of heating and cooling system you have and where the thermostat is installed.

If you have bought additional system sensors, you should install them at this point. They have an easy pull tab and place installation process.

Using Your Nest Learning Thermostat

Now that the Nest Learning Thermostat is installed, it’s time to get into the fine details of this convenient and intuitive little device. It has amazing features such as

  • Learning capabilities
  • Eco mode
  • Scheduled events
  • Voice assistant compatibility
  • Notifications and alerts

Each of these features has its pros and cons, but overall they make the Nest Learning Thermostat stand out from the competition in a positive manner.

Learning Capabilities

One of the Nest Learning Thermostat’s biggest draws is that it is a learning thermostat. 

This means that it can use its sensors to test the temperature, detect when people are home, and track the way you adjust your thermostat at certain times of the day.

All this information is stored and assists Nest in creating a schedule that keeps your home hot or cold only when people are home to enjoy it. 

It also helps because it can ensure your home does not drop below a certain base temperature to help prevent pipes from freezing if you live in a colder climate.

The Nest Learning Thermostat will also collect data from any additional sensors installed with the system. 

It determines the temperature throughout the day and regulates the system to put out enough heating and cooling to reach even the farthest rooms with sensors.

Eco Mode:

If you want to cut down on oil consumption and save on energy costs, the Nest Learning Thermostat is a great option.

It has a built-in Eco Mode that drops the temperature within the home to an economical temperature to help save on the cost of heating and cooling overall.

Sometimes, the thermostat will drop the temperature to a temperature lower than the acceptable base temperature that a user has inputted into the system.

If you do not want it to do this because you like your home at a specific temperature, you can always opt to turn Eco Mode off.

Users typically find this out after a few weeks of using the thermostat, as it tends to have a mind of its own until you intervene.

Scheduled Events

If you prefer to hold your home to a specific heating schedule, you can accomplish this through the Nest app. 

Nest allows you to select what time your heating and cooling system will turn on and off every day. 

It also allows you to set the maximum and minimum temperature at any time during the day.

Here is a sample schedule you could set for your home.

6 AM8 AM10 AM6 PM8 PM10 PM
MondayLow: 62
High: 75
Low: 62
High: 75
Low: 62
High: 75
Low: 68
High: 72
ECOECO
TuesdayLow: 62
High: 75
ECOECOLow: 68
High: 72
ECOECO
WednesdayLow: 62
High: 75
ECOECOLow: 68
High: 72
ECOECO
ThursdayLow: 62
High: 75
ECOECOLow: 68
High: 72
ECOECO
FridayLow: 62
High: 75
ECOECOLow: 68
High: 72
ECOECO
SaturdayLow: 62
High: 75
Low: 62
High: 75
ECOECOLow: 68
High: 72
Low: 68
High: 72
SundayLow: 62
High: 75
Low: 62
High: 75
ECOECOLow: 68
High: 72
Low: 68
High: 72

The schedule can be as simple or as advanced as you want it to be. The Nest Learning Thermostat is capable of handling each situation with high-quality results.

Voice Assistant: There to Help

Although the Nest Learning Thermostat is a Google product, it is not limited to just the Google Voice Assistant. It works seamlessly with the Amazon Alexa voice assistant as well.

This means you can ask your Echo Show to tell you the temperature in the home or change the temperature if it is not to your liking.

It is important to note that you can not currently check your sensors through the voice assistant. This can only be done through the smart app on a tablet or smartphone.

You can also use the voice assistant for those who adore Apple and Siri, but it will take extra work. 

It requires a third-party bridge, so it is not as seamless, which may be seen as a con to Apple enthusiasts.

Notifications and Alerts: Stay Informed

This thermostat is equipped to notify if your home gets too hot or too cold or if a sensor hits a certain temperature.

These notifications can be toggled on or off and customized within the Nest app. You can choose to see them as a banner, a full-screen alert, or both.

You can also determine how often the phone alerts you and what to do after an alert goes off. 

This helps you continue to customize the temperature of your environment and ensure the correct result occurs.

Is the Nest Learning Thermostat Worth It?

The bottom line is the Nest Learning Thermostat is worth it. Although the price point is high compared to a traditional thermostat, its features and functionality are well worth the cost.

This small device packs a big punch and can give users granular control of their cooling and heating environment.

If you are looking for cost savings on your heating and cooling system over time, invest in one of these thermostats for each zone of your home. You will not be disappointed.

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