It’s a growing trend.. The smart home industry began to take off in the early 2000’s when developments in technologies began to make home automation a more affordable and viable option for consumers. The industry has seen a steady increase over the last 2 years, and it is forecasted that by 2022, there will be an estimated 1.3 billion devices in homes. We all know about smart speakers such as Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Home, the popular Ring smart video doorbell, and smart appliances like TVs, refrigerators, and dishwashers. These type of devices have even crept their way into the HVAC industry..

That’s right.. Smart devices can help control anything these days. Including your home’s heating and cooling. There are several brands of WiFi enabled programmable as well as Smart Thermostats out on the market today such as the ecobee, Honeywell, and Lux.

Honeywell T6

Ecobee4

Lux Geo

But, the best, most popular, and true pioneer of the smart thermostat is called the Nest.

Nest makes 2 different series of t-stat, with very subtle differences we’ll tell you about later –  the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Nest E Thermostat.

Nest Learning 3rd Generation

Nest E

So, what is so special about these thermostats? What can they do that a normal switch-and-button thermostat can’t? Glad you asked!

1. The Nest is a learning thermostat. What that means is that it “observes” your daily routine – when people are home, what their preferences for temperature are and when they want it that temp, when you leave for work, when you get home, etc. It does all of this using light and motion sensors as well as by gathering information from when you make changes in the temp. The schedule it creates can always be changed manually or you can even set your own schedule in the nest app on your smartphone.
2. The Nest has built-in sensors that monitor the humidity level in your home as well as the temperature, light, and movement. It keeps track of how each of those variables affects your home’s energy usage and the amount of time it takes your HVAC system to heat or cool. It also monitors the local weather conditions and how that will affect your system’s running.
3. Do you have a hard time remembering when you last changed your air filter? The Nest notifies you of when it is time as well as when your system is malfunctioning.
4. As mentioned before, these thermostats use built in light and motion sensors to switch on/off auto-away mode. When this mode is active, the t-stat will automatically adjust your temperature setting up or down in order to save energy. So, if you are one who has kids or is constantly running late in the morning and struggle to remember to turn your temp up or down or switch your system off, it can save you the hassle of remembering as well as money on energy bills.
5. Even better, the Nest can track your smartphone’s location so that it can automatically adjust the temperature when you are within a certain distance of your house. That way, it gets nice and cool/warm just in time for you to get home from work or back from that long vacation.
6. These thermostats will give you a report on how long it will take for your system to reach your desired temperature as well as a monthly report on energy usage by your HVAC unit complete with tips and tricks for saving even more on your energy bills the next month.
7. With an app to control it as well as WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, your Nest can be controlled remotely via your smartphone, or even by voice using your Amazon Alexa or Google Home device.
8. Dads everywhere are sure to love this.. Nest Thermostats come with a keypad passcode lock so that nobody but you can change the temperature setting without your permission.

Aside from all those awesome things they do, there are other pros to purchasing and installing a Nest.

• The Nest is aesthetically appealing. The small, sleek, rounded, compact design is unlike the other more bulky programmable thermostats, Not to mention, the Nest Learning has a bright and clear easy-to-read LED display.
• They are amazingly energy-efficient. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Program, homes equipped with smart thermostats can save upwards of $180 per year on their heating and cooling costs. The Nest even gives you more ways you can save via its monthly energy usage reports.
• The Nest comes with a built-in battery that pulls energy from your existing thermostat and HVAC system wiring to charge.
• The Nest Learning comes with a 2 year standard limited warranty when purchased from a store or online, but if you have a Certified Nest Pro install your thermostat, they will extend your warranty from the standard 2 years to 5 years. The Nest E comes with a 1 year limited warranty, but with Certified Nest Pro installation, they offer a 2 year extension, meaning you get a 3 year warranty out of it. Just throwing this out there.. We are a Certified Nest Pro. But if you are reading this and not in our area, you can find Nest Pros near you via their website. https://nest.com/nest-pro-installation/

We’d be remiss if we didn’t tell you the few cons.

• Remember those subtle differences we mentioned earlier between the Nest Learning and the Nest E? One of the biggest ones is the display. The Nest E has a frosted glass display that can be difficult to read in comparison to the bright and clear LED display of its Learning brother. Otherwise, the 2 perform the same functions, only the Nest E is a little cheaper.
• The Nest (both series) is not compatible with every HVAC system, wiring, or hardware. The Nest website has a list if what all is incompatible. https://nest.com/support/article/Incompatible-systems
• The Nest may not be compatible with your existing thermostat wiring, meaning you will need a C wire (common wire) to charge the thermostat’s built-in battery.

Some helpful tips:

• If you are renting, always check with your Landlord to see if they are ok with you making changes to the home, including installing your own thermostat.
• If you are the type of person who just prefers just to switch off your system or turn it up or down when you leave, you may be better off just purchasing a programmable thermostat as you won’t save much more on energy.
• It is best to consult a professional if you are interested in installing a Nest or any other smart thermostat. Our team would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have as well as install one for you. We are also a certified Nest Pro dealer, so you can purchase them from us and get a warranty extension! Just give us a call at (864)-578-7575 or contact us via facebook, twitter, or our website, http://boilingspringshvac.com