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When it comes to keeping your home as comfortable as possible, getting the temperature right is critical. After all, few things are as unbearable as a house that's too warm in the summer or too cold in the winter. That's why a good thermostat makes all the difference — and it's not just about how your house feels, either. The right thermostat can actually help lower your energy costs, too.
In recent years, smart thermostats have become extremely popular because they can save energy, lower heating and cooling costs, and eliminate the guesswork involved in maintaining a comfortable home temperature. When it comes to smart thermostat brands, Nest is the leader of the pack. Their thermostats are as high-tech as they come and provide a wide range of helpful features that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Nest offers several different models, so it can be difficult to figure out which option is the best fit for your home. However, if we have to narrow it down, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation) is the best of the bunch. It's an energy-saving smart thermostat that can save you up to 15% on cooling and 12% on heating bills by continuously learning how the temperature outside affects indoor temperatures and adjusting accordingly. It's also one of the most feature-packed and easy-to-install thermostats.
Nest thermostats are compatible with most 24-volt systems and even many older systems. However, there are some, such as zone-controlled, heating-only and cooling-only systems, that may require a Nest Power Connector or C wire. Here is a general list of HVAC systems that aren't compatible with Nest thermostats:
Systems that use wired remote sensors.
Highly proprietary or custom systems.
Micro-controller-based systems without a standard wire.
High impedance systems.
Nest may not be compatible with certain types of hardware, such as zone relay panels or control panels, if they lack a standard wire. Systems with gas valves may also require a standard wire.
The best way to determine what type of HVAC system you have is to remove the cover from your current thermostat and examine the wiring. Your system probably won't work with a Nest model if your current thermostat uses thick, stranded wires connected by wire nuts — these probably indicate that the system is wired for 110 or 120 volts, which Nest does not support.
If you're still unsure, it's best to contact an HVAC professional to evaluate your system. However, you can also use the Nest Thermostat compatibility checker or follow the steps during the setup process. Also, keep in mind that if you have different heating and cooling systems, you may require a separate Nest thermostat for each one.
Nest thermostats require an HVAC system with a standard wire or C-wire. A standard wire is a low-voltage wire that provides constant power to HVAC equipment. It's usually blue or black, but if you don't see one when you examine your wiring or aren't sure whether you have one, consult with an HVAC professional to examine your system and install one if necessary.
A Nest thermostat's appearance isn't nearly as important as its performance, but you'll still probably want a model that coordinates with your home's decor. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation), for example, has ring housings available in silver, gold and jet-black, and the Google Nest Smart Thermostat is available in a charcoal, snow, fog or sand finish.
However, other models, such as the Google Nest Thermostat E Programmable Smart Thermostat and Google Nest Temperature Sensors, are only available in a single color.
While all Nest thermostats have easy-to-read displays, there are several options to consider. Some models, like the Google Nest Thermostat E, have a frosted display that blends in with its ring for a seamless look. Our top pick, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation), has a high-resolution color display that provides the time, exterior temperature and weather in addition to information about your home's interior temperature. The Google Nest Thermostat has a mirrored display that's motion-sensitive and wakes when you walk in front of it.
Ultimately, the display type of your Google Nest thermostat is largely a matter of preference.
All current Nest thermostats are Energy Star-certified and can help you save energy and money. An Energy Star-certified device meets the standard for energy efficiency, which not only saves consumers money but also protects the environment. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat, Google Nest Smart Thermostat and Google Nest E Thermostat are all Energy-Star-certified. In fact, when we tested the Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation for a few weeks, our tester could see the difference in their energy bill. "We've been saving the most energy by using the Eco mode," our tester said.
Nest thermostats are designed to automatically turn themselves down when you leave your home to save energy. The best Google Nest thermostats, such as the Google Nest Smart Learning Thermostat (4th and 3rd Generation models), have learning capabilities that allow them to learn what temperature you prefer and your schedule. This feature helps the thermostat maintain a comfortable temperature for your home without you manually making adjustments.
These "learning" models can even detect changes in your routine and automatically adjust the heating and cooling schedules based on your new habits. Our tester of the Google Nest Smart Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation) said, "The learning feature did an impressive job understanding my behaviors regarding how I like the room temperature to be set."
A. Nest thermostats are designed to be relatively easy to set up. Google claims it should take about 20 to 30 minutes to install your Nest thermostat. One of our testers, however, said that "[the setup and installation] took me about two to three hours." If you're not comfortable with DIY projects, you can find HVAC professionals trained to install Nest products.
A. Because Nest thermostats automatically adjust themselves, they can save a considerable amount of energy, which translates to savings on your heating and cooling costs. According to two independent studies, on average, a Nest thermostat saves between 10% and 12% on heating costs and 15% on cooling costs.
A. Through the Nest app, a Nest thermostat can alert you when your furnace or other HVAC equipment is experiencing issues so you can correct the problem before the entire system fails. It also reminds you when to change your forced air system filters so they don't get clogged and affect the system's performance.
