Is Google Nest Worth It? Pros, Cons & Features

The struggle between comfort and cost is real when managing the home environment. We all want to stay cozy in the winter and cool in the summer, but not at the expense of sky-high utility bills.

A smart thermostat like the Google Nest Thermostat offers features that can reduce energy consumption in our homes. But, the upfront cost is not pocket change, so we need to consider whether the investment will truly deliver on its energy-saving promises.

Let’s consider the pros and cons to decide if the Nest fits our smart home ecosystem and budget.

Why Nest Thermostat Is A Smart Investment?

Home Automation & Smart Features

Geofencing: It’s one of the most notable features that create a virtual boundary around your home. When you leave the geofenced area with your phone, the Nest automatically switches to an energy-saving away mode, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

Self-Learning & Scheduling: Another impressive aspect of the Nest 3rd generation is its ability to learn your household’s temperature preferences and habits. Equipped with short—and long-range sensors, the thermostat gathers data on your whereabouts and desired temperatures during the first week of installation. This information generates a personalized schedule tailored to your comfort needs.

This is a significant improvement over previous Nest versions, which relied solely on short-range sensors and sometimes mistakenly entered away mode when no motion was detected near the thermostat for some time.

Remote Control: Using the Nest app (available for iOS and Android), you can control your Nest thermostat remotely from anywhere with an internet connection. The app allows you to view and adjust the current temperature, set a new temperature, or switch to eco-mode. You can also view your home’s energy usage history and make changes to your schedule remotely through the app. The Nest Thermostat can also monitor and control your home’s cooling system, alerting you to potential issues.

If you have multiple Nest thermostats installed in different zones or rooms, you can control them individually from the app.

Great For Family: The Nest 3rd generation also supports multiple users through its Family Accounts feature. Recognizing that individuals have different temperature preferences, the thermostat can adjust settings based on who is at home. There is no apparent limit to the number of accounts associated with each Nest thermostat, making it suitable for households of various sizes.

Adapts To Weather: Besides learning your habits, the Nest thermostat acts like a personal meteorologist. While it doesn’t forecast the weather, it closely monitors current and predicted weather conditions. By analyzing this data, the Nest’s algorithms make proactive temperature adjustments to combat extreme heat or cold, ensuring a consistently comfortable indoor environment.

Smart Home Devices Compatibility: The Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with various smart home assistants and advanced smart home hubs. As a Google product, it works very well with Google Assistant. You can control the thermostat using voice commands through Google Home speakers or the Google Assistant app on your smartphone.

The Nest Thermostat is also compatible with Amazon Alexa. After linking your Nest account with Alexa, you can control the thermostat using voice commands given to Alexa-enabled devices like Echo speakers.

Finally, it can be integrated into more advanced smart home hubs like SmartThings, Wink, Habitat Elevation, or Home Assistant.

Aesthetic and Functional Design

Who says practical can’t also be pleasing to the eye?

With its vibrant 229-pixel display, the Nest smart thermostat is a true fusion of style and technology. The colors pop with digital mastery, creating a visually captivating centerpiece for your smart home. But the Nest doesn’t just look good – it also delivers an exceptional user experience.

Thanks to the innovative Farsight feature, the thermostat’s display intelligently illuminates as soon as it senses your presence from across the room. Whether you need to check the current temperature setting, the latest weather conditions, or view an analog clock display, the information you need is readily available with just a glance.

Energy Savings and Conservation

One of the most common questions when considering the Nest Learning Thermostat is whether its energy-saving capabilities justify the investment. Nest has conducted research, presented in a detailed white paper, that provides some answers to the potential savings users can expect.

According to Nest’s findings, users save between 10% and 15% annually on heating and cooling bills. This translates to an average annual savings of $100 to $200 for most households. With such substantial savings, the Nest Learning Thermostat can pay for itself within a few years through reduced energy costs alone.

The Nest Learning Thermostat helps users save energy by automatically adjusting heating schedules, supporting OpenTherm, monitoring weather, and providing feedback through the Home Report feature. These functionalities save energy and make the device engaging and useful for users.

Finally, The Nest Learning Thermostat has earned the ENERGY STAR certification, which means it meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and DOE. This certification is awarded to products that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.

Multi-Zone Heating and Cooling System Control

The Nest smart thermostat can achieve multi-zone heating control with additional Nest temperature sensors, seamlessly integrating with your home’s heating and cooling system.

Each Nest temperature sensor must be placed in key rooms within each zone. These sensors provide additional temperature readings to help the Nest thermostat better understand the temperature distribution within the zone.

The Nest thermostats use the data from the temperature sensors to monitor the temperature in each zone. When a discrepancy is detected between the desired and actual temperatures in a specific room or area, the Nest thermostat adjusts the HVAC system to compensate for that zone.

User-Friendly Interface

The Nest Thermostat’s classic dial and spin design make it incredibly intuitive to adjust the temperature. Users can rotate the outer ring to raise or lower the temperature, mimicking the familiar experience of traditional thermostats.

The Nest app for iOS and Android devices provides a user-friendly interface for controlling the thermostat remotely. Users can easily adjust settings, view energy usage reports, and customize their preferences from their smartphones or tablets.

Why Nest Smart Thermostat Is NOT Worth It?

Relatively High Price

The Nest Learning Thermostat is one of the more expensive options in the smart thermostat market. The premium price tag can be a significant drawback for budget-conscious consumers.

Nest has introduced the Nest E thermostat for those seeking a more budget-friendly option. While it sacrifices some advanced features like Farsight, has a lower-resolution display, and has a more basic plastic design, the Nest E still delivers many core capabilities in the premium Nest Learning Thermostat but at a more accessible price point.

Another compelling competitor in the same price range as the flagship Nest thermostat is the Ecobee. This thermostat boasts impressive features, tracks humidity, and integrates Amazon Alexa. It allows users to control smart home devices and access Alexa’s capabilities directly from the thermostat, a compelling selling point for those already invested in the Alexa ecosystem.

Installation & Setup Challenges

Despite its advanced features, the Nest Learning Thermostat may require the presence of a C-wire, also known as the common wire, for proper installation and operation.

Even though Nest devices have an internal rechargeable battery designed for most setups, there are instances, particularly in specific HVAC systems, where this isn’t enough, and a consistent power source from a C-wire is required. Challenges with the wiring of the existing thermostat can complicate the installation process, making it necessary to consider professional help.

Suppose your home isn’t equipped with one.

If a C-wire is not present, a professional electrician may need to be hired to install one, increasing the overall cost and complexity of the thermostat installation.

Alternatively, you can purchase a Nest power connector, a simple, affordable alternative to a C wire, and it will cost much less than hiring an electrician.

Potential Hardware Shortcomings

Temperature Sensors: The Nest Learning Thermostat’s lack of included external temperature sensors can be a potential drawback. These sensors help the thermostat detect movement and presence in different rooms, allowing it to adjust the temperature based on occupancy.

Nest recently introduced an optional sensor costing around $40 per unit. This adds to the overall cost if you want a multi-zone heating system.

Runs On Battery: While the Nest Learning Thermostat is designed to work on a rechargeable battery, it recharges automatically when connected to the wall. Still, if there are power outages or wiring issues, the battery can drain, leaving the Nest out of commission.

Imagine this scenario: it’s the hottest day of the year, and your Nest Learning Thermostat’s battery dies due to a power interruption. Suddenly, you cannot control your air conditioning system, leaving you with high temperatures until the thermostat is operational again. This situation is undoubtedly no one’s idea of a fun summer day.

Temperature Swings: The Nest Learning Thermostat’s wider temperature swing of 3 degrees, as opposed to the more typical 1-degree swing found in many other thermostats, can be seen as both a potential advantage and a drawback, depending on the user’s preferences and priorities.

A 3-degree temperature swing can benefit those prioritizing energy efficiency and cost savings. By allowing a slightly broader temperature range before engaging the HVAC system, the Nest Learning Thermostat can reduce the frequency of heating or cooling cycles, potentially lowering energy consumption and utility bills. This approach also aligns with the idea that constantly powering the HVAC system on and off can sometimes be less efficient than letting the temperature fluctuate within a reasonable range.

However, for those who value precise temperature control and consistent comfort levels throughout their living spaces, the Nest’s wider temperature swing may be a drawback. When the thermostat is set to a target temperature, such as 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the actual room temperature could range from 67 to 73 degrees, which may be noticeable and undesirable for some users.

My Personal Experience

I’ve had a Nest thermostat for over two years and have noticed a significant difference in our energy management and savings. I like technology that, once configured, should run itself without much interference, and Next, in that regard, didn’t disappoint.

I have a predictable and consistent schedule in my home, and it took the Nest algorithm about 2 weeks to fully grasp and adjust to it. Since then, I haven’t looked back with consistent performance throughout the day.

Our day starts at around 8 am; we increase the temperature slightly to keep it colder at night, which is consistent until about 11 pm before being reduced again.

The geolocation works very well. We use it based on 2 different mobile devices. If neither isn’t within the range, we reduce the temperature to avoid heating the empty house.

Our bills have been reduced by about 20% on average, and the thermostat has paid for itself after around 18 months.

So far, I have never had issues with a drained battery or found a need for additional sensors, but we live in a newly built, well, isolated home that isn’t massive, around 140SQM.

The Nest E offers a more budget-friendly choice, so for a first-time purchase, it is understandable, especially with the availability of these cost-effective alternatives that still offer excellent app integration and smart home connectivity.

Is Google Nest Worth It?

Nest Learning Thermostat is a worthwhile investment for homeowners seeking a balance of energy efficiency, convenience, and smart home integration. Compared to other smart thermostats, it stands out with its advanced features and user-friendly benefits.

Some of the key factors that make Nest a compelling choice include:

Smart Scheduling: It adapts to our schedule seamlessly, ensuring our home’s temperature is right, exactly when needed. We haven’t had to fiddle with the schedule much after the initial setup.
User-Friendly App: Another highlight is the Nest app’s accessibility. My partner and I have easy control over the settings, and it’s simple enough for anyone to use.
Multi-User Capability: Up to 10 different accounts can manage the heating system. This is perfect for larger households where multiple people may want to adjust settings.
Integrated Device Control: You can Manage Nest cameras—both the outdoor and indoor ones—using the same app. Having a centralized control point for various smart home devices is super convenient.
Voice Control Comfort: When chilling in the living room and wanting a bit more warmth, a quick command to Amazon Alexa does the trick.
Security and reliability: Backed by Google’s robust security measures, Nest products prioritize data protection and privacy, ensuring a secure smart home experience.
Rebates and incentives: Nest’s partnerships with utility companies and energy providers often result in attractive rebates and incentives for homeowners, further increasing the cost-effectiveness of the thermostat.