Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation Black review

Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation Black review

It’s easy to install your thermostat, typically in 30 minutes or less, with everything you need included in the box; compatible with 95% of heating and cooling systems. Beautifully designed, with polished metal finishes and bright, high resolution display. The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the Nest Temperature Sensor (sold separately) to help make sure a certain room is the exact temperature you want it to be. Farsight shows you the temperature, weather, or time on your thermostat when you walk in the room. Reveal details in Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation Black review.

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Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation Black review
Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation Black review

Pros & Cons – Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation Black

Positives:
It is easy to adjust and maintain temperature
In addition to the indoor temp it displays humidity and outdoor temp
Easy ECO mode
Can set different triggers to adjust temperature
App is simple and fairly easy to use
My house seems to stay at a more consistent temperature

Negatives:
Set up – for me was unnecessarily frustrating. It doesn’t come with a manual, it’s all in the app. Download the app and go to sign in…. Only options are to use Google account or Nest account. No option to create a new account. I use a password manager and dual factor authentication so logging into my Google account on my phone isn’t the easiest when it doesn’t automatically integrate. Instructions were limited. Little things like how to pop it apart so you don’t break it aren’t included. Mentions what it won’t work with half way through installation. Made us concerned whether or not it would work with ours and few options to determine if it was ok. We pushed forward and installed it and it was fine.

Learning setting resulted in some odd temperatures and sometimes we felt we were battling the thermostat. We would turn the temp down because house was getting too hot only to find Nest had readjusted back to previous temperature.

Motion recognition – it turns on when you are near. Great during the day, not so great in the middle of the night. I haven’t found a setting to turn this off yet.

Action settings don’t seem to be working. We have it set so that when it senses our phones are away from our house that it should turn itself to ECO mode…. It doesn’t seem to be doing that even after 2 weeks of use. We have to either manually adjust or set schedules.

App calendar scheduler isn’t easy to do multiple edits. For me wasn’t as intuitive but will be for some.

In the box

Package Includes Nest Learning Thermostat – 3rd Generation, Labels, Trim Kit, Owner’s manual, Screwdriver, Screws

  • Auto-Schedule – No more confusing programming. Nest learns the temperatures you like and programs itself
  • Nest Leaf – The Nest Leaf appears when you turn Nest to a temperature that’s energy efficient. It guides you in the right direction
  • Auto-Tune – Auto-Tune finds ways to automatically lower your energy bill while keeping you comfortable. It enables two Nest features: Rush Hour Rewards and Seasonal Savings

Specifications – Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation Black review

Key Specs

  • Voice Assistant Built-inInfoNo
  • ENERGY STAR CertifiedInfoYes
  • CompatibilityMost 24V heating and cooling systems, including 1-, 2- and 3-stage heating, 1- and 2-stage cooling, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, fans, power and heat pumps with auxiliary and emergency heat.
  • Touch ScreenInfoNo
  • ProgrammableYes
  • App CompatibleInfoYes
  • Multi-Zone ControlInfoYes
  • Auto-Away ModeInfoYes
  • Compatible with 24V CoolingInfoYes
  • Compatible with 24V HeatingInfoYes
  • Program TypeLearning
  • Works WithInfoAmazon Alexa, Cortana, Google Assistant, Hue, Nest, Wink

Compatibility

  • Voice Assistant Built-inInfoNo
  • Compatible Product(s)Air conditioners, Heat pumps, Hot water systems
  • Operating System CompatibilityAndroid, Apple iOS, Mac, Windows
  • Remote Sensor CapableInfoYes
  • Network ConnectivityInfoWireless B, Wireless G, Wireless N
  • Frequency BandInfo2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz
  • Works WithInfoAmazon Alexa, Cortana, Google Assistant, Hue, Nest, Wink

General

  • Product NameNest Learning Smart Thermostat – 3rd Generation
  • BrandGoogle
  • Model NumberT3018US
  • ColorBlack
  • Color CategoryBlack

Dimension

  • Product HeightInfo1.21 inches
  • Product WidthInfo3.3 inches
  • Product DepthInfo3.3 inches
  • Product WeightInfo0.54 pounds

Features

  • 24-Hour ProgrammingInfoYes
  • TimerYes
  • Energy Usage and HistoryYes
  • BacklitYes
  • Date/Time DisplayYes

Power

  • Battery TypeLithium-ion
  • Batteries IncludedInfoYes

Warranty

  • Manufacturer’s Warranty – Parts2 Years
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty – Labor2 Years


What is good in Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation Black (review)?

  • Energy Star Certified – the first smart thermostat to get Energy Star certified by the EPA
  • Customized Compatibility – system match activates features that work with your specific heating and cooling systems, connecting to most 24V forced-air, heat pump with AUX, dual fuel and radiant systems
  • Connects to Your Existing Home Network – convenient Wi-Fi capabilities offer a secure and reliable connection in your home
  • Control From Anywhere – download the free app from iTunes or Google PLay and adjust your thermostat from a smart phone, tablet, or laptop
  • Alerts & Reminders – monitors your home equipment and sends service reminders, alerts you when temperatures reach excessive levels
  • Accommodates You – learns your specific schedule and temperature needs within a week, optimizing energy usage and keeping you and your family comfortable

What are the Smart Home devices compatible with it?

Nest,Lutron,Vera,Belkin WeMo,Philips Hue,LIFX,ADT Pulse,Logitech Harmony,Universal,IFTTT (If This Then That),Apple HomeKit,Iris,Wink,X10,Amazon Alexa,Google Home/Assistant,Nexia,VersPlus, Nest, Amazon Alexa,Logitech Harmony,IFTTT (If This Then That),ADT Pulse,Philips Hue,Nest,Samsung SmartThings,LIFX,Iris,Nexia,Apple HomeKit,Google Home/Assistant,X10,VersPlus,Universal,Wink,Vera,Belkin WeMo, VersPlus, Amazon Alexa, ADT Pulse, Samsung SmartThings, Iris, Wink, Universal, Belkin WeMo, LIFX, Nexia, Google Home/Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Philips Hue, Vera, Logitech Harmony

What does Sensor technology do in Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation Black?

Room/Remote Sensor, Humidity, Humidity,Temperature, Near-Field Activity, Temperature, Ambient Light,Proximity,Far-Field Activity,Humidity,Near-Field Activity,Room/Remote Sensor,Temperature, Proximity, Ambient Light,Far-Field Activity,Room/Remote Sensor,Humidity,Near-Field Activity,Temperature,Proximity, Far-field Activity,Humidity,Room/Remote Sensor,Temperature, Far-Field Activity,Humidity,Proximity,Temperature, Far-Field Activity, Ambient Light

What you can do with Nest Sense?

With Nest Sense, the Google Nest Thermostat learns about your house. Like how long it takes to warm up, how drafty it is, and what the weather’s like. It also learns about your heating or cooling system and how to make it even more efficient. So while you turn up the thermostat or turn it down, Nest Sense algorithms are figuring out a thousand things in the background.

  • Airwave: With Airwave, your AC takes a break and the fan takes over. It spreads the cool air already in your system through your home, saving energy.
  • Sunblock: Sunblock notices when Nest is heating up in direct sunlight and will automatically adjust so it still reads and sets the right temperature.
  • Cool to Dry: With Cool to Dry, the AC kicks in to make the air a little less humid.
  • Early On: Early-On will figure out when to turn up the heat so you’ll wake up to a perfectly warm house.
  • True Radiant: If you have a radiant system, True Radiant keeps the heat at a steady, even temperature without overshooting.
  • Heat Pump Balance: If you have a heat pump, the Nest will make sure it keeps up with the cold, or it will give it a boost with AUX heat to keep you cozy.

Additional Features

  • Tracks the weather so it can automatically adjust to help you stay comfortable or save energy
  • The Google Nest Learning Thermostat works with approximately 95% of 24V heating and cooling systems, including gas, electric, forced air, heat pump, radiant, oil, hot water, solar and geothermal
  • Supports other Nest products such as the Nest Cam
  • 40% larger display than previous generations
  • Solid steel outer ring
  • Ten temperature sensors track the temperature in your home and how quickly it changes
  • Ambient light sensors adjust how the screen lights up
  • With a 150° wide-angle view, the activity sensors learn when to switch to Auto‑Away
  • Sensors: Temperature, humidity, near-field activity, far-field activity, ambient light
  • Designed to offer streamlined installation with push cable connectors and a built-in bubble leveler for wall mounting

Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation Black customer review

Great buy — must purchase sensors!

Color: Mirror Black Style: Thermostat Only

I was skeptical upon buying since most reviews were negative. 3 months into using and so far I am happy with our purchase!

• Set-up: Phenomenal walK through — ANYONE can do it! I was so nervous to start it on my own, I actually procrastinated a few days. Advice: make sure your phone is fully charged and house cooled (and it’s not the hottest day) before starting installation, as your power will need to be turned off to install.

•Sensors: If you are looking to purchase, I would HIGHLY recommend getting AT LEAST 3 sensors (depending on your sqft; ours is 2400) or the Nest will not be worth it. Make sure you place the sensors in your warmest rooms and one in the coolest. This will help with the Airwaves feature, which saves energy by using the fan to circulate the air and make the house a similar temperature. With sensors, you will also be able to see individual temps of each room (which sensor was placed) and will have the choice to set the room as primary. For example, at night I set my temp to 68 and make the bedroom primary; otherwise, if I leave the family room as primary my bedroom ends up 3 degrees cooler. All this to drive home the point that the additional sensors make a big difference.

• Learning: This feature can be turned off. As far as the learning thermostats settings go, I’m happy with it. I find myself adjusting the temp less, though I nearly always want it set at a certain temp at a certain time so could easily get by with a schedule. I could see how this setting could become a nuisance if you are one to change the temp constantly at various times without some sort of pattern. For us, it took about 5-7 days before the temp was automatically changing.

• Geo-cache: The geo-cache is a really cool feature — we love! It will prep the house for your desired temp when you are within a certain radius coming/going from your home. Downside, the constant ping of your cellphone location decreases your phones battery life.

• Remote access: Controlling the device from our phones and Alexa may easily be one of the best features. The convenience is a game changer!

• Reports: I was so excited to review the history reports and they did not disappoint! It tells you the run time, of an adjustment you made saved energy, if weather affected usage, and how many hours the ac ran for the day.

I’m sure there are other features I haven’t touched-on, but these are my most used and -enjoyed. As far as energy save, it’s hard to say that the Nest has made a tremendous difference in our electric bill. We installed it in Spring, when the temps outside have started to rise. Our electric bill has remained about the same since installing — so it’s either saving money (because with outside temps rising there has only been a slight increase to our bill) or it’s making little to no difference. Though energy savings was m
By Amazon Reviewer

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