Comments on: Nest Learning Thermostat http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 06:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Walter Dexter http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1475282 Walter Dexter Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1475282 I don't really see the attraction. It's pretty I guess, but I'd rather tell my thermostat what my plans are than have it (probably poorly) try to figure them out. I have a fancy wireless Honeywell thermostat system (with outside temperature sensor and remote) in the box that I need to install. There's an internet link available for another $200 but we probably won't ever get it. The remote is the killer part of this one for us. It's a wireless carry-around thermostat, so you put it in whatever room you deem most important and it controls the HVAC to keep that room comfortable. In our case, in this house with really uneven temperature, it's whatever room the baby's in. I don’t really see the attraction. It’s pretty I guess, but I’d rather tell my thermostat what my plans are than have it (probably poorly) try to figure them out.

I have a fancy wireless Honeywell thermostat system (with outside temperature sensor and remote) in the box that I need to install. There’s an internet link available for another $200 but we probably won’t ever get it.

The remote is the killer part of this one for us. It’s a wireless carry-around thermostat, so you put it in whatever room you deem most important and it controls the HVAC to keep that room comfortable. In our case, in this house with really uneven temperature, it’s whatever room the baby’s in.

]]> By: Greg Behymer http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1474482 Greg Behymer Wed, 11 Jul 2012 22:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1474482 Here is how I turn on the fan only.  This is via an iphone but can be done via the web too.  I turn my iPhone sideways.  Press the tempature icon on the right so that you have the 3 words on the bottom (ENERGY, SCHEDULE, SETTINGS).  Press SETTINGS. Press the word to the right of AT A GLANCE (mine says Living Room).   On the bottom far right is a fan that I can toggle between Auto & On. Here is how I turn on the fan only.  This is via an iphone but can be done via the web too.  I turn my iPhone sideways.  Press the tempature icon on the right so that you have the 3 words on the bottom (ENERGY, SCHEDULE, SETTINGS).  Press SETTINGS. Press the word to the right of AT A GLANCE (mine says Living Room).   On the bottom far right is a fan that I can toggle between Auto & On.

]]> By: StumptownGeek http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1474354 StumptownGeek Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1474354 The Nest is all flash with very little functionality behind it.It doesn't hit set temps at a given time (for instance, raise the temp so it hits 70 degrees right when I get up at 7am).It doesn't use its web connectivity to adjust its heating/cooling control to current local weather conditions.There is no fan control other than on and auto.It measures humidity but offers no option to display it - you can only find that online.It provides no history of anything other than furnace/AC on/off settings and the temperature set points - no history of temperature or humidity, and certainly no ability to export any data for your own use.Even the design doesn't match expectations - the bright colorful display that looks great in all the marketing pictures is only on if you're right in front of it and moving, otherwise it's a shiny black disk with a chrome ring around it, and from the side it looks like a flat silver wart growing out of your wall.On the plus side, when in the middle of the night I walk past my Nest its display does turn on so it does work well as a motion-sensing hallway nightlight. The Nest is all flash with very little functionality behind it.It doesn’t hit set temps at a given time (for instance, raise the temp so it hits 70 degrees right when I get up at 7am).It doesn’t use its web connectivity to adjust its heating/cooling control to current local weather conditions.There is no fan control other than on and auto.It measures humidity but offers no option to display it – you can only find that online.It provides no history of anything other than furnace/AC on/off settings and the temperature set points – no history of temperature or humidity, and certainly no ability to export any data for your own use.Even the design doesn’t match expectations – the bright colorful display that looks great in all the marketing pictures is only on if you’re right in front of it and moving, otherwise it’s a shiny black disk with a chrome ring around it, and from the side it looks like a flat silver wart growing out of your wall.On the plus side, when in the middle of the night I walk past my Nest its display does turn on so it does work well as a motion-sensing hallway nightlight.

]]> By: QuidiVidi http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1474298 QuidiVidi Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1474298  A few posts above mentions http://www.radiothermostat.com It's interesting but I've been reading through the manuals and it's not quite as... elegant. But it should get the job done and be cheaper.  A few posts above mentions http://www.radiothermostat.com

It’s interesting but I’ve been reading through the manuals and it’s not quite as… elegant. But it should get the job done and be cheaper.

]]> By: David Haworth http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1474286 David Haworth Wed, 11 Jul 2012 19:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1474286 I'm about to put new central heating in, and I'd be interested in one of these thermostats, but alas they don't sell them here in the UK... I’m about to put new central heating in, and I’d be interested in one of these thermostats, but alas they don’t sell them here in the UK…

]]> By: Richard http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1474252 Richard Wed, 11 Jul 2012 19:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1474252 While I quite like the idea of knowing the home temperature while I am gone,  it's extremely rare I would use it to control the heater I barely use. And AC, no one needs it around here unless they have a poorly designed Mansion. So is there a cheaper internet connected temperature/humidity gizmo that is commercially available and maybe less intelligent than me ? While I quite like the idea of knowing the home temperature while I am gone,  it’s extremely rare I would use it to control the heater I barely use.

And AC, no one needs it around here unless they have a poorly designed Mansion.

So is there a cheaper internet connected temperature/humidity gizmo that is commercially available and maybe less intelligent than me ?

]]> By: gypsydoctor http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1474209 gypsydoctor Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1474209 The device will periodically download new versions of software. While this happens, the user interface is disabled though the thermostat keeps running. If the network connection goes down for any reason during this time, you must wait until it comes back up.  If there is a bug in the new software, you might get unwelcome surprises. There is no pre- or post- warning about software upgrades. The only way to know about them is to go to their web site and dig around. While I'm at it: when I bought the unit, I figured that if I got up in the morning and turned up the temp at 7AM, the device would learn from me and eventually start raising the heat at 6 or 6:30, depending on the outside temperature, so that the temp was up to spec at 7. Well it does not work that way. If you want to have the heat go up BEFORE you get out of bed, then you need to get up early for a week or however long it takes for the training to take effect. The outside temperature (which the device gets across the net) has no effect on the operation of the thermostat--it's only used for a fairly lame efficiency report of some kind. Another thing: I figured there would be some heavy-duty data analysis if I went to the web site and looked at my past energy usage. Another disappointment. (I got rid of the unit in the early spring, so they may have changed things since then. And by the way, I made a profit by selling it on eBay. :-) The device will periodically download new versions of software. While this happens, the user interface is disabled though the thermostat keeps running. If the network connection goes down for any reason during this time, you must wait until it comes back up. 

If there is a bug in the new software, you might get unwelcome surprises. There is no pre- or post- warning about software upgrades. The only way to know about them is to go to their web site and dig around.

While I’m at it: when I bought the unit, I figured that if I got up in the morning and turned up the temp at 7AM, the device would learn from me and eventually start raising the heat at 6 or 6:30, depending on the outside temperature, so that the temp was up to spec at 7. Well it does not work that way. If you want to have the heat go up BEFORE you get out of bed, then you need to get up early for a week or however long it takes for the training to take effect. The outside temperature (which the device gets across the net) has no effect on the operation of the thermostat–it’s only used for a fairly lame efficiency report of some kind.

Another thing: I figured there would be some heavy-duty data analysis if I went to the web site and looked at my past energy usage. Another disappointment.

(I got rid of the unit in the early spring, so they may have changed things since then. And by the way, I made a profit by selling it on eBay. :-)

]]> By: QuidiVidi http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1474196 QuidiVidi Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1474196 I've had my nest for about 3 weeks now and I'm also missing the option to turn just the fan on.  Tried emailing them about it but the response was more like form letter stuff. Tho to be fair, I'm not sure I explained myself well. Crossing fingers for a software update! Man, the things I'd like this to do.  Like turn the house fan on when the bathroom fan turns on.  Mirrors clear a heck of a lot faster when the house fan is on as well.... (Yes would require extra hardware, but I'm willing to pay!) Or use that fancy "Time till..." calculation to turn the Hot/Cold on preemptively.  Right now, if you stick with just the learning method and you turn the A/C on when you get home it'll only learn for that time, not have the house cooled/heated for when you get home. I’ve had my nest for about 3 weeks now and I’m also missing the option to turn just the fan on.  Tried emailing them about it but the response was more like form letter stuff.

Tho to be fair, I’m not sure I explained myself well.

Crossing fingers for a software update!

Man, the things I’d like this to do.  Like turn the house fan on when the bathroom fan turns on.  Mirrors clear a heck of a lot faster when the house fan is on as well…. (Yes would require extra hardware, but I’m willing to pay!)

Or use that fancy “Time till…” calculation to turn the Hot/Cold on preemptively.  Right now, if you stick with just the learning method and you turn the A/C on when you get home it’ll only learn for that time, not have the house cooled/heated for when you get home.

]]> By: QuidiVidi http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1474193 QuidiVidi Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1474193 Their network was down and you could no longer control the Nest?  Do you mean physically at the controls or remotely? They specifically say a WiFi connection isn't necessary. Their network was down and you could no longer control the Nest?  Do you mean physically at the controls or remotely?

They specifically say a WiFi connection isn’t necessary.

]]> By: Ipo http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1474172 Ipo Wed, 11 Jul 2012 17:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1474172  It will never ever pay for itself that way.  Fun.   It will never ever pay for itself that way. 
Fun. 

]]> By: pjcamp http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1474048 pjcamp Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1474048  It's not. That was a reference to the first comment. Nest is a group of ex-Apple engineers so that was a sarcastic way of suggesting that Apple people want everyone else to avoid their IP but they don't feel a need to search for prior art either. And I still think the design is just this: http://inspectapedia.com/heat/Thermostat_Honeywell537-DFs.jpg translated to an  LCD.  It’s not. That was a reference to the first comment. Nest is a group of ex-Apple engineers so that was a sarcastic way of suggesting that Apple people want everyone else to avoid their IP but they don’t feel a need to search for prior art either. And I still think the design is just this:

http://inspectapedia.com/heat/Thermostat_Honeywell537-DFs.jpg

translated to an  LCD.

]]> By: colin.gladwish http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473979 colin.gladwish Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473979 I've had a Nest for about 3 months.  We recently went away on vacation (to a place where there was no cell service) and I forgot to turn the Thermostat to "Away" mode before we left or use my iPad app to switch it before we lost cellular signal.  The Auto-Away feature of the Nest saved me a pile of money over the course of the week we were away because it reduced the AC once it realized we were gone, and I was able to restore the cooling once we had cellular data again on the way home.  Like others, by the time I got home the AC had cooled the house properly. I’ve had a Nest for about 3 months.  We recently went away on vacation (to a place where there was no cell service) and I forgot to turn the Thermostat to “Away” mode before we left or use my iPad app to switch it before we lost cellular signal.  The Auto-Away feature of the Nest saved me a pile of money over the course of the week we were away because it reduced the AC once it realized we were gone, and I was able to restore the cooling once we had cellular data again on the way home.  Like others, by the time I got home the AC had cooled the house properly.

]]> By: Jiro Feingold http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473970 Jiro Feingold Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473970  One of the big features of the Nest is it detects when you are home, and goes into Away mode automatically.  Light and motion sensors.  One of the big features of the Nest is it detects when you are home, and goes into Away mode automatically.  Light and motion sensors.

]]> By: semiotix http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473963 semiotix Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473963 I have one of these. I'll probably make back my investment in about ten years, but that's not the thermostat's fault, it's a function of where I live and my heating and cooling options. It's pricey, but it works fine. Here are the Nest-specific advantages I've found. 1. Much prettier than the crusty old thermostat. 2. Lets you know the relative humidity to the TENTH OF A PERCENT! 3. Much more accurate a temperature sensor than your average spring-and-mercury deal. 4. When you're traveling, you can maliciously inflict 97° heat in the middle of summer on the other people living in your house, who aren't aware that it can be controlled by your phone. ("WTF is going on with this goddamn thermostat you bought? It keeps turning the heater on! It's July!") I have one of these. I’ll probably make back my investment in about ten years, but that’s not the thermostat’s fault, it’s a function of where I live and my heating and cooling options. It’s pricey, but it works fine. Here are the Nest-specific advantages I’ve found.

1. Much prettier than the crusty old thermostat.
2. Lets you know the relative humidity to the TENTH OF A PERCENT!
3. Much more accurate a temperature sensor than your average spring-and-mercury deal.
4. When you’re traveling, you can maliciously inflict 97° heat in the middle of summer on the other people living in your house, who aren’t aware that it can be controlled by your phone. (“WTF is going on with this goddamn thermostat you bought? It keeps turning the heater on! It’s July!”)

]]> By: Tool Using Animal http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473951 Tool Using Animal Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473951 I have a $100 Radio Thermostat, wifi android controlled, not pretty like the nest, but functional, guess I could put a pretty ventilated shell over it and save that $150. I have a $100 Radio Thermostat, wifi android controlled, not pretty like the nest, but functional, guess I could put a pretty ventilated shell over it and save that $150.

]]> By: gypsydoctor http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473899 gypsydoctor Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473899 I had a Nest for several months, but switched back to my old one after the Nest network went down for multiple hours and I was unable to access the thermostat during that time.  Do you really want the reliability of your heat to depend on the internet and a server somewhere run by a third party? I had a Nest for several months, but switched back to my old one after the Nest network went down for multiple hours and I was unable to access the thermostat during that time. 

Do you really want the reliability of your heat to depend on the internet and a server somewhere run by a third party?

]]> By: MrWoods http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473891 MrWoods Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473891 It's border-line ridiculous that you can patent setup wizards, or rotating dials with a stable face.  Sure they may be novel for a thermostat, but come on?  How much research was actually done to arrive at this? Does any company really need exclusivity to have done that work, or wouldn't they do it any way to sell more stuff?  So yeah, patents are bunk. It’s border-line ridiculous that you can patent setup wizards, or rotating dials with a stable face.  Sure they may be novel for a thermostat, but come on?  How much research was actually done to arrive at this? Does any company really need exclusivity to have done that work, or wouldn’t they do it any way to sell more stuff?  So yeah, patents are bunk.

]]> By: Benjamin Crum http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473883 Benjamin Crum Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473883 I talked to my HVAC guy about the internet-connected Honeywell he has in his house, it was going to cost upwards of $350 for the unit and the internet module. I, as stated by others, don't really care much about the 'learning' feature but have used the remote access to turn up and down the temp every day. Love my Nest! I talked to my HVAC guy about the internet-connected Honeywell he has in his house, it was going to cost upwards of $350 for the unit and the internet module. I, as stated by others, don’t really care much about the ‘learning’ feature but have used the remote access to turn up and down the temp every day. Love my Nest!

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473875 retepslluerb Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473875 Why would I want to have the same temperature everywhere?  Our setup is like this during the winter. (No heating and no A/C during the summer) ~20 C in the living room.  Kitchen ~17-18 deg, mostly by air transmission and of course by product of cooking bedroom  18 deg at most, hopefully, as the bathrooms, which can get as low as 16. Laundry room 16 deg. My bureau will have also about 20, because all the hardware - including a Mac Pro - generates a lot of waste heat. Why would I want to have the same temperature everywhere? 

Our setup is like this during the winter. (No heating and no A/C during the summer)

~20 C in the living room. 
Kitchen ~17-18 deg, mostly by air transmission and of course by product of cooking

bedroom  18 deg at most, hopefully, as the bathrooms, which can get as low as 16.

Laundry room 16 deg.

My bureau will have also about 20, because all the hardware – including a Mac Pro – generates a lot of waste heat.

]]> By: glatt1 http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473857 glatt1 Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473857 We have one.   We live in Washington DC.  It was 106 degrees over the weekend, but we were away on vacation at a lake in Pennsylvania.   Our central air conditioner is a little underpowered for our house, and it would take a full day to cool the place down upon our return.  Saturday afternoon, in Pennsylvania, my wife pulled out her Android phone and connected with our Nest in our living room three states away and turned on the air conditioning.  It ran all night, and the house was cool when we walked in the door Sunday afternoon.  So instead of running the AC for the entire vacation while we were away, or sweating for a day upon our return while the house slowly cooled down, we were comfortable.  I LOVE the Nest. We have one.   We live in Washington DC.  It was 106 degrees over the weekend, but we were away on vacation at a lake in Pennsylvania.   Our central air conditioner is a little underpowered for our house, and it would take a full day to cool the place down upon our return.  Saturday afternoon, in Pennsylvania, my wife pulled out her Android phone and connected with our Nest in our living room three states away and turned on the air conditioning.  It ran all night, and the house was cool when we walked in the door Sunday afternoon.  So instead of running the AC for the entire vacation while we were away, or sweating for a day upon our return while the house slowly cooled down, we were comfortable.  I LOVE the Nest.

]]> By: Crashproof http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473834 Crashproof Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473834 We just don't tweak our thermostat that much.  Hot summer:  73.  Cold winter:  73.  Nice weather:  off.  Out of town in summer:  78.  Out of town in winter:  60.  Our house is very uneven in temperature, so 73 on the thermostat is about 78 in the office or bedroom and as much as 90 up in the upstairs bathroom that has no vent, but we have fans to compensate for that. We just don’t tweak our thermostat that much.  Hot summer:  73.  Cold winter:  73.  Nice weather:  off.  Out of town in summer:  78.  Out of town in winter:  60.  Our house is very uneven in temperature, so 73 on the thermostat is about 78 in the office or bedroom and as much as 90 up in the upstairs bathroom that has no vent, but we have fans to compensate for that.

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473783 retepslluerb Wed, 11 Jul 2012 10:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473783 Even with the 28 days of paid vacation most of us enjoy, I have no problem in finding regular patterns in our household and that of our neighbours. Personally, I don't need to push any buttons myself. I think  Nest wouldn't work with common heating in German houses anyway, as  each room has their own thermostat anyway, often combined with a central one plus outside thermometer as well. We've set up one plan for each weekday which works and push buttons only when we break the pattern. Even with the 28 days of paid vacation most of us enjoy, I have no problem in finding regular patterns in our household and that of our neighbours.

Personally, I don’t need to push any buttons myself. I think  Nest wouldn’t work with common heating in German houses anyway, as  each room has their own thermostat anyway, often combined with a central one plus outside thermometer as well.

We’ve set up one plan for each weekday which works and push buttons only when we break the pattern.

]]> By: Christian Mueller http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473764 Christian Mueller Wed, 11 Jul 2012 08:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473764 I don't think this article is about Apple vs Samsung or Nest vs. Honeywell. I do not see many similarities between the Honeywell and the Nest - only that both are round and have an lcd. Anyway, both are not available where I live and I would be happy to get either (preferrably the Nest due to its advanced features - I like to use my iPhone for remote control and I like userfriendlyness) I don’t think this article is about Apple vs Samsung or Nest vs. Honeywell. I do not see many similarities between the Honeywell and the Nest – only that both are round and have an lcd.

Anyway, both are not available where I live and I would be happy to get either (preferrably the Nest due to its advanced features – I like to use my iPhone for remote control and I like userfriendlyness)

]]> By: timquinn http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473746 timquinn Wed, 11 Jul 2012 07:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473746  since your phone knows where you are it could turn it on BEFORE you get home. Gawd, I love the future.  since your phone knows where you are it could turn it on BEFORE you get home. Gawd, I love the future.

]]> By: Warren_Terra http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473731 Warren_Terra Wed, 11 Jul 2012 07:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473731 Given that my phone is almost never more than 30 feet from my person, and I don't keep completely regular hours: what about a bluetooth-equipped thermostat that detects whether I'm home (or, rather, whether my phone is) and switches on and off appropriately? Given that my phone is almost never more than 30 feet from my person, and I don’t keep completely regular hours: what about a bluetooth-equipped thermostat that detects whether I’m home (or, rather, whether my phone is) and switches on and off appropriately?

]]> By: Joseph Francis http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473699 Joseph Francis Wed, 11 Jul 2012 06:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473699 It's nice looking but I almost never run the heat, and almost never run the air conditioning. It's never that cold where I live and while it can get very hot I try to run the ceiling fans or tough it out. Maybe a little air conditioning would be worth the money but I haven't investigated too closely. I just try not to use it. It’s nice looking but I almost never run the heat, and almost never run the air conditioning. It’s never that cold where I live and while it can get very hot I try to run the ceiling fans or tough it out. Maybe a little air conditioning would be worth the money but I haven’t investigated too closely. I just try not to use it.

]]> By: pjcamp http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473687 pjcamp Wed, 11 Jul 2012 06:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473687  Keep track of your household over the course of a year. See how it goes. I still don't see what's the big deal about poking a button twice a day.  Keep track of your household over the course of a year. See how it goes.

I still don’t see what’s the big deal about poking a button twice a day.

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473661 retepslluerb Wed, 11 Jul 2012 05:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473661 <blockquote>Most people don't keep that regular a schedule</blockquote> I rather doubt this, especially when there are children going to school or at least one of the tenants works a 9 to 5 job.

Most people don’t keep that regular a schedule

I rather doubt this, especially when there are children going to school or at least one of the tenants works a 9 to 5 job.

]]> By: Stefan Aberg http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473639 Stefan Aberg Wed, 11 Jul 2012 04:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473639 OK, I'll have to chime in here. I used to have one of the 'programmable' thermostats.. don't remember the brand and I don't think it makes a difference, most of them are the same, 5-1-1, 1-1-1-1-1-1-1, 5-2 etc. not  a big deal just set you schedule and let the thermostat do it for you. In my case that's exactly what I used to do... But with the Nest it became a game to cut down the AC usage, in the end I stopped using the auto schedule, because we're in and out on different times every day, but I do utilize the auto away and remote capability all the time. That's where you save the money. My normal summer bill runs between $300-400 and this year I had a $152 June bill...  I pretty much had a ROI in one month :) Anyhow your mileage might wary, but I swear by it and the geek in me loves it :) OK, I’ll have to chime in here. I used to have one of the ‘programmable’ thermostats.. don’t remember the brand and I don’t think it makes a difference, most of them are the same, 5-1-1, 1-1-1-1-1-1-1, 5-2 etc. not  a big deal just set you schedule and let the thermostat do it for you. In my case that’s exactly what I used to do… But with the Nest it became a game to cut down the AC usage, in the end I stopped using the auto schedule, because we’re in and out on different times every day, but I do utilize the auto away and remote capability all the time. That’s where you save the money. My normal summer bill runs between $300-400 and this year I had a $152 June bill…  I pretty much had a ROI in one month :) Anyhow your mileage might wary, but I swear by it and the geek in me loves it :)

]]> By: nickburns42 http://boingboing.net/2012/07/10/nest-learning-thermostat.html#comment-1473619 nickburns42 Wed, 11 Jul 2012 03:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=169461#comment-1473619 I wouldn't say they thought of everything. I bought one in May, and one of the features I liked about our old thermostat was that I can turn the fan on without setting it to a temperature (a hot/cold setting). If you set the unit to OFF, there's no way to turn on just the fan to blow. I went back and forth with tech support about this. We're still in "ceiling-fan" mode but once we decide to actually kick on the A/C, I'm looking forward to being able to set it remotely and for it's learning feature to start, well, learning. So far it's just been in off mode since I bought it. I wouldn’t say they thought of everything. I bought one in May, and one of the features I liked about our old thermostat was that I can turn the fan on without setting it to a temperature (a hot/cold setting). If you set the unit to OFF, there’s no way to turn on just the fan to blow. I went back and forth with tech support about this. We’re still in “ceiling-fan” mode but once we decide to actually kick on the A/C, I’m looking forward to being able to set it remotely and for it’s learning feature to start, well, learning. So far it’s just been in off mode since I bought it.

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