Nest for home heat and A/C

[yaqui]

Any of you guys have the Nest set up at home? I have been looking at it, just to make sure our electric isn't running when we are not home. Apparently you can control temp and or turn off your A/C via smart phone.

I am usually not the last to leave the house, and the Mrs. likes it very warm or very cool when she gets up. I'll be glad when she is done with her "change."

As cheap as I am, it sounds like a good idea.

[csmetreyeon]

As contractor we hate them customers have more problems with them than they are worth.on a different note I've done tests with my unit at the house if I turn it of when I leave the house then turn it back on when I get home it uses more energy to get back to set point than if I just left it alone in the first place. that's my experience with that others may have had luck especially older systems but we haven't.

[wassaw]

I've done tests with my unit at the house if I turn it of when I leave the house then turn it back on when I get home it uses more energy to get back to set point than if I just left it alone in the first place. that's my experience with that others may have had luck especially older systems but we haven't.

have done the same here. the walls/ furniture/cabinets all have to cool back down. way more energy

[Mike D]

Honeywell makes a thermostat that does the same thing. Cost about $140.

As long as you don't get the swing too big between set points it seems to help IMO.

In other words don't set it for 70 when home and 80 when away. I set mine to a 4 degree swing between home and away.

[tgil]

As contractor we hate them customers have more problems with them than they are worth.on a different note I've done tests with my unit at the house if I turn it of when I leave the house then turn it back on when I get home it uses more energy to get back to set point than if I just left it alone in the first place. that's my experience with that others may have had luck especially older systems but we haven't.

Interesting...I've been running one for about 3 months. I was just noticing the other day that my electric bill was considerably higher the last two months, over the same two months last year. I didn't look at the average outside temps for the compared periods, but was a little shocked to see the big electric bill!

[TXDean23]

Before you buy, you should definitely check on the modem that you use for your wi-fi. We got one through Reliant energy and ended up having to replace our modem through AT&T because it would constantly lose signal. Apparently there are some sort of networks that certain modems put out that is not compatible with the Nest. Other than that issue my wife loves it. I'm indifferent.

[Codypatt1]

I have the Honeywell wifi thermo and it o great. If I get off late I just keep it off longer , if I get off early I go ahead and turn it on sooner. I've read a lot about conserving energy and most recommend it saves you most by keeping it off more instead of keeping it within a few degrees of your normal comfortable temp.

[twobittxn]

I like it. We don't have a big swing between home and away. To me, it's just an upscale programmable thermostat. We got it free from our electric provider.

[bowhntrmatt]

I'm not a fan. As stated above, I see lots of homeowners who have issues with them (ftr, I also see lots that love them). I have a wifi thermostat in my home and really don't use the phone-controlling feature all that much.
If all you want it for is to be able to change it from your phone, there are many cheaper options out there.
If you think a programmable thermostat is going to buy you a new car with the money it saves you, think again.
I see people all the time who spend thousands on well-marketed energy saving mediums, like low-e windows, radiant barrier, spray foam, solar screens, etc. and they still have an old, inefficient air conditioner and old inefficient duct system. Those two things are where the biggest improvements in home energy consumption can be made IMO.

[JEG8233]

It's really a love it or hate it attitude I've seen with the home owners I've dealt with. As stated by Matt the customers that love it typically have well insulated homes with high efficiency windows. They also have properly sized high efficiency equipment and properly designed ductwork. And the folks who usually can't stand them have it installed with an older system lacking the proper ductwork and insulation.

[philcam]

For the most part, I like mine.

I just don't like the auto-away feature. It learns when you aren't home. The problem is mine is in a hallway that isn't used as much as the rest of the house.

It stinks that it turn the system to eco when it thinks your not home, so your either too hot or too cold.

I do love the auto feature on my iphone.

Didn't see a huge change either way with the electric bill.