Introducing the Nest Learning Thermostat

Introducing the Nest Learning Thermostat

Nest Thermostat Teardown Reveals Beautiful Innards, Powerful ARM CPU, Zigbee Radio |
@Matt Carey
Really want this to come to the UK.
@Eric Olstad
"I’d gladly throw money away just to hang a thermostat on my wall with enough processing power to outgun many traditional computing devices." Do you also mow your lawn with a Corvette? I kid.
@Matt Burns
Hell yeah! Actually, when you think about it, something like a WRX would do a better job: thinner tires, AWD, and better turning radius. Oh man I want that.
@Alice Bradshaw
Corvette? Meh. An actual sports car would be awesome though.
@James Molinaro
" I’ll be the first to admit that the thermostat’s high upfront cost likely negates any savings" -Matt Burns. You must live in a condo. My 2,500 home (modest for Atlanta) instantly went from nearly $300 (mid summer) down to about $180 a month once I automated my HVAC and lighting. The key is having your place know when and where you are in your home to maximize energy savings.
@Matt Burns
Yeah, sure, but you can snag a quality programmable thermostat for less than $40 at any big box home improvement store. A wireless IP model with a web interface only costs around $100.
@Mike Pulsifer
Matt Burns but people who place a monetary value on good design can reasonably see Nest as a better value for the money.
@James Molinaro
Matt Burns They are cheaper but still don't know if you are actively in the room. Its the combination that is key. Unless you live your life exactly on 5-1-1 schedule or always reach for your *insert smartphone here* you are still wasting a ton of energy heating or cooling a space while you run out to the grocery, catch a movie/game, or just hanging out at your friends house.
@Aaron Powell
So you have to buy one of these $250 for every room you want a sensor? That's $250 x each room versus $40, I actually picked up a 5 & 2 programmable thermostat for $20. And I don't waste the energy when I'm not home outside the standard schedule because I click a button and set myself to away when I leave. All this product does is let you be lazy and not actively push a button or two before you leave home/ when you return.
@Mike Pulsifer
Aaron Powell It's no longer technology if you don't have to think about it. That's the point of this device, though. People shouldn't have to think about, much less micromanage their home heating & cooling. Just like how people shouldn't have to think about the internal components to their computer/tablet/phone. Most people have more pressing things to concern themselves with. Free people to focus on what matters in life.
@James Molinaro
Aaron Powell Room = Home / People with multiple HVAC zones. Devices like this are not for everyone (neither was the iPod) but at least someone is pushing forward with an extremely high quality product to move the industry forward. Ps. My personal take: If you still have to physically interact with the device after initial setup, it failed.
@Aaron Powell
James Molinaro My Personal Take: If it's several hundred dollars more to not have to push a button, I'll opt for the cheaper option and the 3 or so seconds of "inconvenience" when I leave home. Maybe in a few years I'll consider it when some company delivers a similar concept for $40 or less.
@James Molinaro
Aaron Powell Exactly.. I remember just a few years ago when I walked into Home Depot looking for a <$80 programmable thermostat and was basically laughed at. Tech will always become cheaper but it takes companies like this to push it forward. My only point was don't knock it because you are in a situation where this isn't ideal.
@Aaron Powell
James Molinaro Not knocking it. Just don't understand why people are seeing this as something revolutionary, at best its evolutionary over the existing internet enabled smart meters. If this wasn't from some ex iFolk this probably wouldn't be getting any press.
@Matt Pantana
Does anyone know if it speaks Z-wave? That's what my alarm system uses. I suppose it's somewhat moot though since I can connect to either via internet.
@James Molinaro
It doesn't, but what Z-wave controller do you have? I would recommend going with a simple Z-wave Trane Thermostat and a 3-in-1 Motion sensor with the added bonus of lighting control.
@Jeff Ragovin
I have 4 and they are INCREDIBLE.
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Lovely product design. However, if you cannot afford one (and even if you can), I just saved my mother 2/3rds of her quarterly electricity bill by discarding extra fridges and freezers, replacing light bulbs with the new low power versions, and replacing clunky useless storage heaters, and replacing them with on demand heat electric (oil) radiators fitted with timers. The biggest cost save though is getting rid of the fridges and freezers. They are the ONLY appliance/device in your home that are drawing quite a lot of electricity 100% of the time! Worth thinking about. Back to the cool underground larder?
@Viktor Arvidsson
HAL, I won't argue with you anymore! Turn up the heat! Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. This co2 reduction mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.
@Serge Bronstein
wouldn't it be smarter to just connect this to a computer and let the computer adjust it? and that thing would control your lights and everything else... and be much cheaper.
@Jonathan Lally
Love my Nest. Had an issue with the first one I received. Spent a little bit of time on the phone with tech support, and we came to the conclusion that I had received a faulty unit. They over-nighted me a new one and it's now up and running. I couldn't be happier with the purchase, the build quality and the level of professionalism you see with their support team.
@Jina Bolton
Good to know
@Matthew Grocoff
I love this product. But, I can't get confirmation about whether it works with ground source (geothermal) heat pumps. Anyone else know? I just installed the ecobee smart thermostat and loving that - despite its lack of elegance. But, with all the processing headroom and future upgrades there's no reason the Nest won't be able to control your humidifier, your ventilator or... one day even your refrigerator via ZigBee. GreenovationTV
@Nicholas Leader
Details of the product: http://www.nest.com/living-with-nest/.
@David Vo
I am interested in this but I (luckily) live in a pretty nice area weather wise. Almost no homes here have air conditioning. We just use the heater during winter and the rest of the year the thermostat is never needed. For a home like mine (no AC, fan only, heater), will Nest be a waste?