[ad_1]
Google is looking for a new generation of smart homes with the launch of its latest generation Google Nest thermostat. It’s been ten years since the first Nest Thermostat (pre-Google) brought home automation to an audience beyond the villains of the James Bond movies and offers more features at a lower price. Here is everything you need to know.
What is it?
It’s simply called the Google Nest Thermostat, not to be confused with the original Nest Thermostat or last year’s Nest E Thermostat.
What does?
If you are a newbie to the smart home, welcome! This new model is aimed at you. (It also contains some new features for hardcore fans though.) Essentially, a Google Nest thermostat replaces your existing ‘dumb’ thermostat, allowing you to control and program your HVAC heating and cooling systems from your phone.
It can be controlled manually via on-screen display, through the Google Home app, or by voice with the Google Assistant. But its real power comes from its ability to make smart decisions that go far beyond just getting your home to a certain temperature at a certain time. Using a series of sensors, it can see if you are really in the house to enjoy the weather and even detect boiler / HVAC problems before they occur.
Why do you need one?
More than any other smart home device, the answer is “because they pay for themselves.” Features like presence detection mean that if you go out, the heating can be turned off automatically, saving you money. It also allows you to configure routines at a granular level. If you work away from home, not only do you turn on the heat at a set time, but you can also use the Google Home app to detect when you’re on the way.
More than this, the Google Nest Thermostat can really make suggestions for adjusting your settings to help you save even more. It can even tell you if the boiler is working before it fails completely.
What’s the difference between the new Google Nest thermostat and the Nest Thermostat E?
There are a number of settings. First, the design has been simplified. Though superficially similar to previous models, it’s smaller, slimmer, and eliminates a physical dial in favor of touchscreen gestures.
Left: Nest E thermostat. Right: New Nest thermostat.
The biggest change is the use of the Soli radar that we first saw on Google’s Pixel 4 smartphone. Here, Soli is used to detect approaching and illuminate the Nest Thermostat’s display without you lifting a finger. The technology also enables the geofencing feature to be accurate, making the Home / Away Assistant work smoothly (in theory anyway).
According to Google’s sustainability program, the new model is made from 49 percent recycled materials. A ‘trim kit’ is also available to help cover unsightly marks left by your old thermostat during installation.
What about the older models?
Google has already released the previous-generation Nest Thermostat E, but it hasn’t completely disappeared. Google will continue to offer it to the merchant for new construction and remodel purposes, but consumers will be limited to the newer model.
In fact, if you do a little research, you might find places that still sell the 2015 model, which works best with higher-end HVAC systems. However, expect to pay a penny for that one.
Is there anything I don’t do?
Yes. Because the new Google Nest thermostat doesn’t currently offer drivers for the devices in each room (radiator valves, for example), you can’t turn off your room during the day but keep the rest of the house warm or just heat the bathroom. when you take a bath. Also, there are no sensors for air quality or mitigating factors like you’ve left a window open. The German company Tado offers all of these features, but it will cost more than $ 130.
When available
Google is offering pre-orders now for customers in the US and Canada with delivery expected in “the next few weeks.” Once it is available, it will also be available at all the usual outlets. Nothing is known about international availability yet, but we expect it to arrive in Europe and Asia in early 2021.
Pricing is significantly lower than previous models, with a watch priced at $ 129.99 (US) and CA $ 179.99 (CA). The thermostat comes in 4 colors: Snow, Sand, Fog, and Charcoal.
At $ 129, the new Nest Thermostat is cheaper than the Nest Thermostat E or the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen). If you are looking to turn your home into a smart home, a smart thermostat is a solid buy.
Featured Image Credits: Google
