Nest - Learning Thermostat - 3rd Generation - Stainless Steel

I purchased this thermostat partly because I'm a Google fanatic and partly because I moved into a new town home where our electric bill is insanely high and I wanted to see if putting the nest learning thermostat to the test would work in our favor and save a little extra. Turns out, it's not just hype. On my first full month after installing I saved $25 on my electric bill. To start, this is really easy to install. It was a little nerve racking at the start because I never did anything like this before and you're talking about electrical wiring, but it was really easy and I had it going in less than 30 minutes. I also have the sensors to go with it and have one in our living room and then upstairs I have one in my office and the master bedroom. It's really cool ... MoreI purchased this thermostat partly because I'm a Google fanatic and partly because I moved into a new town home where our electric bill is insanely high and I wanted to see if putting the nest learning thermostat to the test would work in our favor and save a little extra. Turns out, it's not just hype. On my first full month after installing I saved $25 on my electric bill. To start, this is really easy to install. It was a little nerve racking at the start because I never did anything like this before and you're talking about electrical wiring, but it was really easy and I had it going in less than 30 minutes. I also have the sensors to go with it and have one in our living room and then upstairs I have one in my office and the master bedroom. It's really cool because you can open the app at any time to see what the temperature is in any room that has the sensor. And depending on where you are the home you can have the thermostat adjust its output accordingly to make you more comfortable. This version of the nest thermostat that comes in a really nice looking chrome finish is a learning thermostat and it actually will learn your behavior and it'll know when you are home when you're not and it will act accordingly based on the data it configures and the commands you give it. Basically it's all set up in a way so that when you are not home it will use less electricity all around your home from the AC to water heater and whatever big buck electrical powering we're talking about. So it'll naturally be able to sense your presence because there is a sense of her in it as well as in the company pack that sends data back to it. Also, if you have other Google smart devices in your home, it will utilize those to learn even more. I have a Google Nest hub. I have a Google nest video doorbell, security camera, several nest audio speakers, nest minis, Google TV dongles - Not to mention my Pixel 6 Pro and all of these devices know when I am home and when I'm not based on my location settings. The speakers and hub also have internal sensors that can tell if there's human activity in the home which comes in handy also with the doorbell and security measures. But, the thermostat is basically just wanting to know your routine so it can set things up for you and make things easier. And, it did. Every now and then we might feel a little warm and adjust the temperature, but otherwise we've got it set in the Google Nest app what our preferred ranges are when home (from the time we wake up to the sunny afternoon and middle of the night to help with sleep) and when we're away it will continue to circulate the air for our cats comfort but leave the air conditioning to rest until it either hits our preferred high point or it knows we're coming home. It's actually kind of cool to know that the air conditioner and everything at home is just literally waiting for you and that it's taken care of while you're not there. I love my home. I put a lot of effort into my home and I spend a lot of time there, working out of my home too. But when I can't be there, I want to know that everything is taken care of and with the help of Google. I can do that. And this thermostat is just one more aid that I'm grateful for. I really can't recommend it enough. The Nest learning thermostat will be compatible with 95% of AC units and electrical work. They have a spot on the website you can put your info in and it'll tell you if it's compatible or not and how to proceed. It really feels like Google is there every step of the way to help. If you're a renter-ask before installing. I'm currently renting the townhome I'm in and received permission to put this in from my property manager. Depending on your situation, always error on the side of caution because some tenant leases can consider this a violation. So, just be careful. But, beyond that- it's worth it! Very highly recommend this one!

Decided to take the plunge this year and start introducing some smart home devices, starting with the Thermostat. installation was a snap and can be done by any DYI novice, as long as you take a look at google compatibility before hand and cross reference with your existing wiring. As the review title states, having the ability to adjust from your phone without having to be in front of the Thermostat is a real boon. I don't think this quite has the learning smarts of the Topend Nest Tstat, more like you setup a custom schedule and it adjust intelligently between home and away using your phone geolocation. Build quality is quite good overall, it looks sleek and refined on the while. Nice change from the old garish thermostat box of old. The display is quite clear and ... MoreDecided to take the plunge this year and start introducing some smart home devices, starting with the Thermostat. installation was a snap and can be done by any DYI novice, as long as you take a look at google compatibility before hand and cross reference with your existing wiring. As the review title states, having the ability to adjust from your phone without having to be in front of the Thermostat is a real boon. I don't think this quite has the learning smarts of the Topend Nest Tstat, more like you setup a custom schedule and it adjust intelligently between home and away using your phone geolocation. Build quality is quite good overall, it looks sleek and refined on the while. Nice change from the old garish thermostat box of old. The display is quite clear and info and settings are easy to understand. I'm really not one for the mirrored look, but that is personal preference and one I'll get use to given the benefit. App seems easy enough to use letting you hold temp, adjust schedules, and generally being in control of your homes temp from afar. Definitely liking the convenience of the Smart Home with the Nest Thermostat as the start

Do not buy

I am a very informed consumer. Before I purchase any item for my home, I thoroughly researche it. When I purchased two Google nest thermostats from Amazon, I had the intention of being able to control the temperature at my home while I was away. Google has been a trusted company to me up to this point. I hired a professional HVAC technician to install the device. The units that provided were faulty. I have a zone system and they fried my circuit board. I have spent literally hours on the phone with Google support with no satisfaction or solution. They will not help me with the issue and I am stuck with two malfunctioning Google nest thermostats. And I had to pay for the HVAC technician and to replace Circuit board so that I would have heat. All of this occurred in ... MoreI am a very informed consumer. Before I purchase any item for my home, I thoroughly researche it. When I purchased two Google nest thermostats from Amazon, I had the intention of being able to control the temperature at my home while I was away. Google has been a trusted company to me up to this point. I hired a professional HVAC technician to install the device. The units that provided were faulty. I have a zone system and they fried my circuit board. I have spent literally hours on the phone with Google support with no satisfaction or solution. They will not help me with the issue and I am stuck with two malfunctioning Google nest thermostats. And I had to pay for the HVAC technician and to replace Circuit board so that I would have heat. All of this occurred in the middle of a Wisconsin winter. The amount of red tape that Google was having me go through, was ridiculous. They transferred me, they would say that a supervisor would call which they never did, I have yet to reach a resolution on this issue. Do not buy this product

Does not work as advertised

Stay away from this device. It does not work! I have been on multiple times with Google support and wasted many hours. For instance, it recently stopped following the schedule. After extensive troubleshooting they decided to replace the thermostat under warranty. The new one seemed to work but when I checked the history in the app it showed that the AC had come on early even though I had turned off the "Early-On" feature in the app. So I contacted Google again. Again we went through all the troubleshooting steps. It seems the thermostat has different menu options than the app and we were able to turn ff "Early-On" on the thermostat itself. But, after doing this it again stopped following the schedule.Ultimately they said to uninstall and then re-install the app and ... MoreStay away from this device. It does not work! I have been on multiple times with Google support and wasted many hours. For instance, it recently stopped following the schedule. After extensive troubleshooting they decided to replace the thermostat under warranty. The new one seemed to work but when I checked the history in the app it showed that the AC had come on early even though I had turned off the "Early-On" feature in the app. So I contacted Google again. Again we went through all the troubleshooting steps. It seems the thermostat has different menu options than the app and we were able to turn ff "Early-On" on the thermostat itself. But, after doing this it again stopped following the schedule.Ultimately they said to uninstall and then re-install the app and then create a new schedule. It wouldn't follow the new schedule! It said it was set to a temperature that wasn't on my schedule at all. So the agent said set the temperature manually but leave the new schedule as-is and see if it will pick up the next time/temp setting later today and monitor it to see if it will follow the schedule over the next 24 hours. Home Depot offers a 90 day guarantee but I've had this for 11 month now. Google will do an exchange by mail for up to 12 months. So, it looks like this problem is just going to keep coming back. Basically I have a $260 piece of junk hanging on my wall that is no better than the old Honeywell programmable thermostat it replaced.

Great product, but points to consider....

This is an absolute must have product to control your heating/cooling system. HOWEVER, there are a few important things to know, which I've learned after owing my first version of this thermostat for almost 5 years and recently purchasing a new one. First, it is very important to remember that 4 wire systems can work with a 3rd gen Nest, but with a big caveat. You will either get enough trickle charge for the thermostat to last your ownership of it, or you will have to buy a 24 Volt Transformer C Wire Power Adapter for Nest (recommend googling it) to offer supplemental power. I know this now because I had a 4 wire system that failed to power the device after nearly 5 years of my ownership. Secondly, find out if your heating/cooling system has a C-wire on board, even ... MoreThis is an absolute must have product to control your heating/cooling system. HOWEVER, there are a few important things to know, which I've learned after owing my first version of this thermostat for almost 5 years and recently purchasing a new one. First, it is very important to remember that 4 wire systems can work with a 3rd gen Nest, but with a big caveat. You will either get enough trickle charge for the thermostat to last your ownership of it, or you will have to buy a 24 Volt Transformer C Wire Power Adapter for Nest (recommend googling it) to offer supplemental power. I know this now because I had a 4 wire system that failed to power the device after nearly 5 years of my ownership. Secondly, find out if your heating/cooling system has a C-wire on board, even if you currently have a 4 wire system. Mine did have this so I was able to pay a qualified technician to run a new 5 wire system to my new thermostat. But as I stated in the previous point, if a 4 wire is your only option, then refer to the adapter reference in my previous point. A final recommendation I have is to keep a manual style heating/cooling thermostat on hand to back this one up should an extended power outage or software/device malfunction occur. As nice as it is to be on your home's WIFI network and be able to program, use the smart functionality of the thermostat and be able to access remotely, it is smart to have a back up thermostat.....which I also learned the hard way. Best of luck on this purchase. If expectations are properly set, you're going to love this device.

Great upgrade

I did a lot of research on these smart thermostats before purchasing this style. I have a heat only boiler that has 5 zones, and this particular one, was the only one that was pretty much assured that it would work with my system. It is a 2 wire system, with no common wire. I was able to hook these up with no issues what so ever! They charge fine, and there was no need for the extra adapter that could be purchased seperately, to hook to the boiler. So far, I have installed 5 of these thermostats, to upgrade our old school Honeywell mercury thermostats. Do your research, but this thermostat is wonderful! I love that I can control my thermostat through the Nest or Google Home app, so no worrying if you leave, and wonder if you remembered to turn down the heat. I also ... MoreI did a lot of research on these smart thermostats before purchasing this style. I have a heat only boiler that has 5 zones, and this particular one, was the only one that was pretty much assured that it would work with my system. It is a 2 wire system, with no common wire. I was able to hook these up with no issues what so ever! They charge fine, and there was no need for the extra adapter that could be purchased seperately, to hook to the boiler. So far, I have installed 5 of these thermostats, to upgrade our old school Honeywell mercury thermostats. Do your research, but this thermostat is wonderful! I love that I can control my thermostat through the Nest or Google Home app, so no worrying if you leave, and wonder if you remembered to turn down the heat. I also have them installed in our rental units, and I can make sure that the tenant didn’t leave the heat on 70, and leave for days or leave for a 12 hour shift. You can control all the thermostats from one app, so it is wonderful! I would highly suggest these thermostats for anyone that want to make their home a little smarter.

If you understand HVAC systems, buy it.

TLDR: If you know how low voltage systems work, buy it. If you are not comfortable with HVAC troubleshooting, this may not be for you.Yes this thermostat is great to use. However, the setup could be difficult for so many folks that don't have an understanding of low voltage systems, and even for some DIYers. I started using it with 2 wire oil fired boiler to know how many hours my boiler runs. It is perfect for that. I used it just as a 2-wire thermostat with Rh and W. I have an understanding of how things work and I easily set it up with no issues. However, just like any other 2-wire thermostat without battery, you need to keep boiler switch on in order to have power through it when using 2 wires only. Many reviewers don't know why their nest learning thermostat ... MoreTLDR: If you know how low voltage systems work, buy it. If you are not comfortable with HVAC troubleshooting, this may not be for you.Yes this thermostat is great to use. However, the setup could be difficult for so many folks that don't have an understanding of low voltage systems, and even for some DIYers. I started using it with 2 wire oil fired boiler to know how many hours my boiler runs. It is perfect for that. I used it just as a 2-wire thermostat with Rh and W. I have an understanding of how things work and I easily set it up with no issues. However, just like any other 2-wire thermostat without battery, you need to keep boiler switch on in order to have power through it when using 2 wires only. Many reviewers don't know why their nest learning thermostat doesn't work and rate it low and it's sad to see that. Even HVAC techs visiting my house warn me to not use nest and I always show them how easy it runs.I recently switched to a gas 2-wire 24V system and installed another 24V transformer for Google doorbell and other LV systems for my house and now I run it with the boiler off in the summer. Why do I run it in summer? Because I have Google temperature sensors all over the house and it gives me relatively humidity reading near the thermostat and temps in the house so I can run window ACs where needed.When running on 2-wire system, it did hum, but barely audible beyond a feet. Installing 24V external transformer with C/Rc wire combination resolved that (see photo - please excuse wire colors). There aren't many videos on how to do that, but you can do it. No wonder HVAC techs don't recommend it because it is so versatile and easy to troubleshoot. Don't rely on Google support because they don't know anything. Trust someone with knowledge in low voltage systems and you will be fine.Other functions in the thermostat are cherry on top and I am waiting to use another one on a split system in future. I don't care about nest/home app being separate.Are there any competitive thermostats at lower price? May be. Cheaper ones may not have relative humidity and analytics. Honeywell is comparable, but it's just a rectangle and Google learning thermostat does look good on a wall with its round shape. The touch and ring are smooth as well.

Perfect choice, easy install for almost any DIYer!

Our old (vintage) thermostat aggravated us for the last time. It was manually operated unit which means you must actually push buttons to make the temperature you’d like change up and down. We could no longer adjust the temp higher as the button was worn out!We reviewed several new models and really wanted one that could not only be controlled via an app through WiFi, but would be easy to install and wire. After much thought, review, and price checking, we settled on the Nest Learning Thermostat. Needless to say, we made the right choice. Not only did I have the old one removed from our wall surprisingly quickly, but with the easy to follow wiring diagram and step-by-step instructions, I had the entire system swapped out and working in less than an hour!Once I ... MoreOur old (vintage) thermostat aggravated us for the last time. It was manually operated unit which means you must actually push buttons to make the temperature you’d like change up and down. We could no longer adjust the temp higher as the button was worn out!We reviewed several new models and really wanted one that could not only be controlled via an app through WiFi, but would be easy to install and wire. After much thought, review, and price checking, we settled on the Nest Learning Thermostat. Needless to say, we made the right choice. Not only did I have the old one removed from our wall surprisingly quickly, but with the easy to follow wiring diagram and step-by-step instructions, I had the entire system swapped out and working in less than an hour!Once I entered our personal preferences as far as temperature, timing, etc it was time to install the app. Once I opened the app, it was very easy to understand and follow. The app allows you to make changes, set timers, and set the temp you want to the precise degree.If you’re looking for a new or replacement thermostat that basically runs itself, this Nest learning thermostat would be a fantastic choice.

Unreliable and does not result in comfort

Google Nest is a festering pile of crap. You've be warned. ecobee3 Lite with remote sensors works well.Don't make this mistake. The Nest is unreliable and keeps the house too warm or too cool because it has a 1.1°F degree swing. That means if you set it to 75°F, the AC will not come on until it over 76°F and will not turn off until it's under 74°F. This is not adjustable because Google refuses to listen to customer complaints.The learning features are horrible and had to be turned off because it was always too hot or too cold. There is no hold function - that's right - no hold temperature whatsoever! Why? Because F you, that's why. Nest controls you - not the other way around. It's specifically designed to save energy by making you uncomfortable - ... MoreGoogle Nest is a festering pile of crap. You've be warned. ecobee3 Lite with remote sensors works well.Don't make this mistake. The Nest is unreliable and keeps the house too warm or too cool because it has a 1.1°F degree swing. That means if you set it to 75°F, the AC will not come on until it over 76°F and will not turn off until it's under 74°F. This is not adjustable because Google refuses to listen to customer complaints.The learning features are horrible and had to be turned off because it was always too hot or too cold. There is no hold function - that's right - no hold temperature whatsoever! Why? Because F you, that's why. Nest controls you - not the other way around. It's specifically designed to save energy by making you uncomfortable - seriously.Nest also constantly bugs you to join there Nest Renew program (which has the ability to turn your AC off if the local utility says so). There is no way stop these nags on your app!The most serious issue is reliability. Our Nest has broken three times over the years, resulting in NO air conditioning during the summer in Florida. Don't buy this product - you'll be sorry. Try the Ecobee or Honeywell.In summary, if you think your thermostat can save the planet and you don't mind indulging that fantasy while being uncomfortable in your own home, by all means get the Nest.

Used to be good

Owned a Nest thermostat since it first came out in 2012, and it was an excellent thermostat. It stopped functioning start of heating season 2022 and replaced it with current generation. It did not power on, so replaced with another. It lasted 2 weeks before failing so replaced it with a regular programmable. Decided to give it another try in January and never could get the Home/Away to function correctly. Once it detected I was away (I don't use the app to determine if I am present) it would go into "ECO MODE" and not start heating when returned home. Spent an hour with tech support trying to resolve, who spent more time trying to cancel the call than resolve the issue. When stated the motion sensor was obviously defective and they should send another, I was told to ... MoreOwned a Nest thermostat since it first came out in 2012, and it was an excellent thermostat. It stopped functioning start of heating season 2022 and replaced it with current generation. It did not power on, so replaced with another. It lasted 2 weeks before failing so replaced it with a regular programmable. Decided to give it another try in January and never could get the Home/Away to function correctly. Once it detected I was away (I don't use the app to determine if I am present) it would go into "ECO MODE" and not start heating when returned home. Spent an hour with tech support trying to resolve, who spent more time trying to cancel the call than resolve the issue. When stated the motion sensor was obviously defective and they should send another, I was told to restart my phone. At this point I had enough, I have installed 2 others for friends last year, and they are functioning great. I called a friend who is a HVAC tech to double check my setup, He looked over the wiring, it was correct and said "Get rid of this garbage, I've had to remove 5 this winter due to them failing". Luckily I was still within the return window at Lowes and returned it for a refund.Pros: Does not need a C-Wire or a Power Extender Kit to run on most systems. Most "smart" thermostats require a C-wire or a PEK to operate, and some will not work with dual transformer heating/cooling. Also, when away and in ECO mode, it goes to a temperature you set, not one determined by the thermostat like others do. Also, unlike some I looked at, it doesn't play music, act like a bluetooth speaker or a home security system, it's a thermostat.Cons: Tech support is terrible. If your issue goes outside their pre-scripted playbook, they either try to end the discussion by disconnecting you or telling you to contact a certified installer. And the thermostat is not compatible with the WPA3 wifi security standard, which is becoming the norm on many wifi systems.This was a great thermostat before Google bought out Nest. Now, it's become more of a hassle than it's worth.