Articles on how to save energy in your home inevitably suggest buying a programmable thermostat that automatically turns down the temperature when you’re sleeping or are away from home.
But let’s face it, if you’re anything like us, “programmable” isn’t necessarily a welcome quality. It conjures images of hours spent deciphering confusing directions, untold failed attempts — and lots of hair-pulling along the way.
Enter the “Nest” — a thermostat that solves the problem simply: by programming itself.
As homeowners raise or lower the temperature in their homes, based on need, the Nest quickly learns their habits and adjusts itself automatically. The company notes that within a week, the thermostat is fully acclimated.
The thermostat offers other convenient features as well, including;
The ability to control the thermostat from your smartphone. This makes it simple to oversee multiple thermostats with one device. In addition, any changes in temperature or schedule that you make remotely will be registered by the Nest and figured into your energy habits.
A feature for when your leave on vacation. The “Away” feature turns down the temperature when you’re gone — but if it senses activity, such as a friend who has come over to water your plants, it can also start warming up the house for their comfort. And if you’re on your way home from vacation, you can “wake up” the Nest with your smartphone, so that things are warm and cozy when you arrive.
A function that allows you to view your energy usage over time. The Nest has an “Energy History” component that can show you how much energy you are saving. The manufacturer is betting that the monetary savings will be significant: It claims that the Nest can lower heating and cooling bills by as much as 20% — and all without the dreaded programming hassle.