The Nest Learning Thermostat - Good or Not So Much?

We're moving our office space and doing a lot of the build-out ourselves.  In our HVAC overhaul, we need to replace the manual thermostat with a setback model.  So I bought a Nest b/c I read about it, and it sounded great.  That, and it looks cool.

Our HVAC guy ripped it, though.  'Said that they don't work, they don't really do what they're supposed to do, 'worthless, and the company that makes them is being sued.

'Haven't done a lick of checking on any of this, but I wanted to touch base with this knowledgeable group first.  Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about the Nest they can share?

TIA.

Melissa

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Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on May 31, 2012 at 4:06pm

Be sure when it's installed to hook up the "C wire". So many contractors run digital stats on batteries even though there is a "C wire" in the wall. The Nest uses an internal self recharging battery that's "power stealing"  and can cause problems if the "C wire" isn't hooked up. Read the reviews online for the Nest, it's not quite ready for primetime. IMHO there are MANY better thermostats that are priced less than what the nest costs. WR "big blue" touchscreens are excellent and cost about 1/2 what a Nest does.

If your utility has time of use pricing/smartmeters, look into it that in order to save money.

Permalink Reply by Evan Mills on June 3, 2012 at 1:46am
Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on June 3, 2012 at 5:55pm
Permalink Reply by Melissa Baldridge on June 3, 2012 at 6:28pm

Thanks for this, Bob.  I have been doing a fair bit of reading about this since as we're looking to install one in our new office.  'Want to make sure it's all that.  The problems I read about over and over ...

  • Installed in place where the motion sensor doesn't pick up occupants' activity - so it assumes the homeowner is gone.
  • It sounds like its "learning algorithm" gets thrown by too much schedule aberration.

We're going to install it because ....

  • We can program it and not leave it to the vagaries of people in and out.
  • It's Web-enabled (that's a biggie)
  • It's gorgeous (OK, I'm a sucker.)

Will I recommend it?  We'll see.  It sounds like it could use some improvement, and I hope the makers will get the problems sorted out.  Basically, I see this is a low-end, simple BAS (building automation system).  For our space as tenants in a larger building, it'll be good to test it out, 'see how that works.  We'll definitely keep our eyes peeled for more cool products with EE capabilities, too, that we can control from afield and phone apps.

Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on June 3, 2012 at 6:51pm

Before you place your order look at the Ecobee, it's also web enabled. It can also talk to your power meter if it's Zigbee enabled (aka smartmeter). It can respond to price increases if your power company offers a variable peak price or time of use plan. The UI is on the stat, with nest everything must be done through the web. Both have similar prices.

Another thing is the Ecobee is compatible with humidity controls and 2 stage systems. 2 stage systems are common in commercial applications.

Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on June 3, 2012 at 7:11pm
Permalink Reply by Diane Chojnowski on June 8, 2012 at 6:11am

On Pinterest, the Nest is pinned to boards with categories like "Products I Love", "Covet + Need", "Favorite Things", "Buy This Stuff for Me Please", and on Peter Troast's board "Cool Energy Efficiency Gear".

Clearly people love the design.

Permalink Reply by Melissa Baldridge on June 8, 2012 at 6:41am

Thanks for that, Diane.  'Made me laugh out loud.  Yeah, I'm a sucker for gorgeous in home and office.  Its "pretty" isn't the problem.  'Just wanted to know if any of my EE colleagues had experience with how the darned-thing works.

'Remember the old Jaguars when they were owned by the Brits?  Gorgeous.  And pieces of junk when it came their maintenance, track records, etc.  Like that.

Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on June 8, 2012 at 2:14pm
Permalink Reply by Diane Chojnowski on June 9, 2012 at 12:10am

I want one! I saw my brother program his Nest on his iPhone from across the country. That was pretty cool...

Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on June 9, 2012 at 4:27am

There are many other thermostats that are web enabled, people are buying nest for the "bling factor". Ecobee is a full featured stat that costs about the same as a nest. There are other web enabled stats that are cheaper..

http://www.iaqsource.com/product.php?p=ecobee-internet-enabled-smar...

http://www.amazon.com/Ecobee-EB-STAT-02-Enabled-Internet-Thermostat...

Permalink Reply by Diane Chojnowski on June 9, 2012 at 6:01am

Thanks Bob, that's good to know. The Nest is getting all the attention.

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