The Nest Learning Thermostat - Good or Not So Much?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on June 27, 2012 at 6:04pm

"We'll override it via the Web-enabled programming"

Why put it in an area that can monitor occupant passage if you are going to override it anyways?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Melissa Baldridge on June 30, 2012 at 7:55am

We haven't ... yet.  We're working on it.

Our old/new office is in a space that basically stood empty for five years during the Great Recession.  'Been doing a major stylistic and energy-efficiency overhaul.  Check us out on Facebook and HonestBuildings.com, which is a super-cool Web site, btw. 

GreenSpot on Facebook

GreenSpot on Honest Buildings

Anyhoo, upgrading ... well, everything is the order of business, including the HVAC.  Jerry Garner, our right-hand man, has been reading all the posts you've posted, and we think we've got this figured out.  Yesterday, 'wire disconnected to the transformer in the unit.  'Got that fixed.  Now we need to get the TEMP controlled.  I'm sure having the Nest hooked up will give us a Mission Control for the unit.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks!

Melissa

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on July 1, 2012 at 6:03am

Did the heat pump work with the old manual thermostat you have on your FB page, then not work with Nest? Did your HVAC guy try reinstalling the old stat to see if the system came back on?

With heat pumps it rarely pays to do setback in heat mode. You do NOT want the aux heat strips to kick on to get the building warm in the morning. Unfortunately the Nest "auto learn" is useless on heat pumps during winter, especially if the aux heat operation can't be locked out/forced at certain outdoor temperatures.

It's looking like Nest is a $250 "pretty stat" that doesn't do anything more than the $99 web enabled 3M you can buy at the big box stores. You already have mentioned defeating the "auto learn", the *big unique feature* of the Nest. So other than being pretty, what does the Nest really offer over other $250 thermostats?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Nicholas on July 5, 2012 at 10:09am

The Nest is a great thermostat. The price is good and Honeywell wants to charge a lot of add-on fees plus 10 bucks a month for web enabled.

The only problem I have is the inability to handle a DFHP.  They fix that, and I will be recommending them on every audit.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on July 5, 2012 at 6:35pm

There are a LOT of advanced features that most $200+ thermostats have that the Nest lacks. Take away the "auto learn" which most people bypass anyways and the only thing the Nest has over  $50 thermostat is the web enabled features.

Nest has not was to adjust temperature swing or when AUX heat kicks in. Nest not compatible with 2 stage cooling.

Nest has no AUX heat lockout above certain temperature, or compressor lockout below a certain temperature. No way to configuire if AUX heat can or cannot run with heat pump. Fix those and you have your DFHP compatibility.

Nest has no humidify/dehumidify functions, yet it has a humidity sensor?

Nest's installer settings are no more versatile than a $50 thermostat, they have a LONG way to go before they can hang with professional grade thermostats in the $250 price range. Fortunately most of this can be fixed with software updates, it's just a matter of Nest deciding to do it.

The ecobee is the only pro grade web enabled stat I've seen on the market that doesn't have a monthly service charge.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kate Brinks on July 16, 2012 at 1:54pm

Hi Bob,

We actually do have AUX lockout. We only show relevant screens to people, so if you don't have a heat pump, you won't see that we have it.

Looking through your comments in this thread, it appears that you've been given some inaccurate information about Nest. You're welcome to contact me directly if you have any questions about Nest moving forward.

All the best,
Kate

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Nicholas on July 16, 2012 at 4:06pm

OK!  If you have screens that you don't show everyone, do you provide support for a DFHP.  I currently am forced to use the Honeywell Stat, with their fossil fuel kit; to make it work.

Is there an approved way to set up my Nest (in a box - cause I can't use it) with a DFHP or do I need to return it?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kate Brinks on July 17, 2012 at 11:52am

Hi John,

Unfortunately, we aren't compatible with DFHP. 

-Kate

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on July 20, 2012 at 3:40pm

John, why not use an external dual fuel kit? Works with most heat pump thermostats, even the old mechanical ones.. DF kit

Maybe Nest will include DF capability it in a future firmware update.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Nicholas on July 20, 2012 at 5:46pm

When I replaced the conv. NG furnace /ac with DFHP, they installed a Honeywell 'stat and Fossil Fuel Kit.

I am at a loss as to why my nest can't work with that!?!

Should I have to spend another 29 bucks to keep Homeywell lawyers happy?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bob Blanchette on July 21, 2012 at 4:57am

I don't see why your system wouldn't work, with a Nest, especially if you currently have a conventional heap pump stat. Nest says "not compatible" to cover their behinds because the typical homeowner has no business trying to figure out how their system is wired up. I'm not sure which heat pump stat you have, check the literature on Honeywell web site to see if everything is compatible. If it's too technical have a pro come look at your system. FF kits are complicated even for some pro's.

What is it you are looking for in the Nest that the Ecobee doesn't offer? The Ecobee has DF capability built in as well as a ton of other advanced settings. The only things the ecobee doesn't have are auto learn (which most disable anyways) and the pretty factor.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Nicholas on July 21, 2012 at 7:43am

I bought my Nest in October last year. Then changed HVAC in late January.  I now have paid for the Nest and can't use it. (It sits in the original packing.) I have paid for the Honeywell, which I don't like. I have looked at the Ecobee since you put it up in this thread.  I suppose I could go buy another.  That would be 750 in 'stats. 

So I'm going slow and asking lots of questions.

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• Next ›
• Page