wow, this thing looks awesome. One of my pet peaves is coming home from work and realizing the thermostat was left on 68.

http://www.nest.com/

Tear-Down review
http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/334

I love mine! The auto-away and ability to control it from my phone are huge deals for me.

But also the energy display and "time to cool" have helped a lot. Before, we would run the A/C down to 74 or so to cool the house. When you do that with the nest, it tells you how long the A/C will run to reach that temp. Instead, run it down to 76 and it takes half the time and energy.

Not sure if it's saving me a ton of energy, but it's sure making me much more aware of the energy I am using.

Looks awesome. I will have to get one installed in our new house.

There have been lengthy discussions about this on the HI board.

I think it's a neat gadget, but the price is hard to swallow, especially if you have more than one unit in your home.

I think I could justify it if it actually saves money. Any word on that aspect?

If you don't already have a programmable thermostat, I'm sure it's worth the cost.

I don't see how this is any better than a programmable thermostat, but 5+ times the cost.

If you program your thermostat, you set your preferences daily/hourly if you like.

The only difference I've been able to decipher, is that you can control this one with your phone........but when would you ever need to do that?

I'm not a fanboy or anything, but I think this one is different because it learns what you like throughout the yera and adjusts with the seasons. I know I always forget to make changes to mine between Summer/winter/spring, so that might be nice.

has anybody on here have had both a regular programmable thermostat and switched to the Nest? What are the differences?

I'm sure one benefit is being to track the history of your energy use.

My programmable stat is set for highs and lows.

So as the season changes, it still keeps it within the range I prefer.

I can program it more detailed than that if I like (nights/weekends, etc).

The ones I have were put in my house when it was built, but I think they cost less than $40 at Home Depot.

I like the phone controlled aspect because:
A. I'm a nerd.
B. I travel a lot and it would be nice to be able to turn on the AC when I land at the airport so the house is cool when i get home. Much easier than reprogramming.

I replaced two normal programmable Honeywells with these. FWIW here are my thoughts:

1. The web interface and mobile abilities are definitely an enhancement over what I had. Additionally you can see how much energy was used on specific days, the weather from that day, humidity inside the house, the thermostats schedule, and lot of other info in a clean and easy interface that is remotely accessible.
2. They look good - people always ask what they are.
3. The house is more comfortable but for all I know I just had the old thermostats poorly programmed. Point being, Nest programs itself correctly so the risk that the thermostat is not properly programmed has been eliminated.
4. For me, the verdict is still out on cost savings. Hard to even figure out how to run the comparison though. Generally speaking, my bills seem normal to below normal, but certainly nothing drastic and summer is just starting.
5. Installing them is as easy as advertised for the most part.

I'd rather have a truly home-automation-capable 7-day thermostat that I can control from my phone without being tied into their services.

It's true that the Nest is sexy as hell, but too expensive to not be open to home auto. Apparently it has a Zigbee controller in it, but it's not active/callable yet, and they're keeping their web service API a secret for now.

I like it

seems like theyre trying to put more home automation into consumers

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I replaced two normal programmable Honeywells with these. FWIW here are my thoughts:

1. The web interface and mobile abilities are definitely an enhancement over what I had. Additionally you can see how much energy was used on specific days, the weather from that day, humidity inside the house, the thermostats schedule, and lot of other info in a clean and easy interface that is remotely accessible.
2. They look good - people always ask what they are.
3. The house is more comfortable but for all I know I just had the old thermostats poorly programmed. Point being, Nest programs itself correctly so the risk that the thermostat is not properly programmed has been eliminated.
4. For me, the verdict is still out on cost savings. Hard to even figure out how to run the comparison though. Generally speaking, my bills seem normal to below normal, but certainly nothing drastic and summer is just starting.
5. Installing them is as easy as advertised for the most part.

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I did the same thing. Agree on all accounts.

This would definitely be a plus at a vacation home... Being able to wirelessly program from anywhere is legit!

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This would definitely be a plus at a vacation home... Being able to wirelessly program from anywhere is legit!

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That's probably the first real benefit/use I've seen mentioned.

I could see that being useful for sure.

Lennox is introducing a Stat that makes that thing look like junk.

How would you like your stat to tell you when and why you system is down? Or tell your dealer it is down before you even know?

What about a stat that you can put you family photo on, so that when you put it in sleep mode its just a picture?

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How would you like your stat to tell you when and why you system is down? Or tell your dealer it is down before you even know?

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That sounds awesome! Does it work with all systems, or just Lennox? And how hard is it for the DIYer to install?

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Lennox is introducing a Stat that makes that thing look like junk.

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oh thank God. I was wondering when the next OS/phone/video game console debate like topic would come out.

Nest> Lennox

I feel like this is going to be the next "bubble"... kinda like when the smartphones were released.

I see this moving into the direction of being integrated with home security systems(video survelance / motion sensors), home video/audio, to controling the lighting in your house.

After reading the website, the Nest motto is keep it simple and concentrate on energy efficiency but come on. The smartphone went from being able to take a picture from your cellphone to having video conferences on tablet PCs.

All of those services already exist.

I can connect:
alarm
video surveillance
fire/smoke alarms
lighting
t-stats
power outlets

And control it all from my phone. I currently do none of that though.

not sure if its worth the $250 to me, but dang thats a sharp looking thermostat

What do you use for all your products aggietaco?

All you need is a security system or home management system that can connect to zwave devices. I have a GoControl board. Zwave devices are available for several manufacturers.

we have 2 in our house and 1 in a vacation house. i think they are great.

in the OP link to the tear town...very interesting

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Although I failed to capture them on the camera, there was two flexible PCB antennas in a vertical configuration. One antenna was marked 'Zigbee'. Now this has my interest piqued. I assumed there was two antennas for better reception but perhaps one antenna is Wifi and one antenna is for something else? Zigbee? No way. Really? Could Nest be planning on adding other equipment control such as lighting or refridgeration? After using the Nest and its accompanying website, I certainly hope so.

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Like I already said, the Zigbee is locked down. Most people speculate that it's there for use with future products these guys come out with.

Looks like some industrious folks are making progress on reverse engineering the web service calls, however. There are already several wrappers out there you can dick around with.

Just installed two of these in my home a few weekends ago. I'll be interested to see if I get any energy savings.

For those who have a Nest, how is reliability? Does it lose connection to your wifi often? Does it still run your hvac system if it loses it's Internet connection? I am thinking about getting one to replace a Honeywell zwave thermostat that has been nothing but problems after it loses power but worry about the thermostat failing while I am traveling away from home.

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Does it lose connection to your wifi often? Does it still run your hvac system if it loses it's Internet connection?

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It does sometimes lose connection but that has not affect on how it runs the hvac system. it cools/heats as it should all the time (so far) connected or not. the connection is a monitor and upload function, not the way it cools/heats.

That is awesome. I will be buying one!

The 2GIG Go Control panel was mentioned above for home automation tied in w/ the security system. I manage an alarm company in Dallas/Ft Worth that installs these systems for our clients. They are sweet! It allows you to automate all kinds of devices including thermostats to follow schedules as well as security alarm events to link everything together. You guys can check out more @ our site Milestone-Security.com. Yes programmable tstats are nice but if you actively use your security system you can have the tstat automated with that so it is a true reflection of the schedule.

Mark Roberts - '06

The nest is cool if you want to drop a few bills on a shiny toy you'll never use.

It offers nearly nothing over a standard 7 day programable thermostat.

^^ Did you even look to see how it works?