What is a Nest Thermostat and Do You Need One?

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You may have heard that having a programmable thermostat can save you money on your heating and cooling costs. One type, the Nest Thermostat, is one of the most popular smart thermostats on the market. This product has a lot of benefits, but it is not the only option available. The Honeywell Pro 8000, for example, offers many of the same benefits with a few differences.

Consider this description of the Nest Thermostat to help you determine whether or not it’s worth it to get one.

How the Nest Works 

The Nest is a programmable, smart thermostat. The terms “programmable” and “smart” are not the same when it comes to thermostats. A programmable thermostat allows you to program it, such as setting specific temperatures for certain times of the day and according to the days of the week and even the monthly calendar. A smart thermostat can be controlled and programmed from a smartphone or other device, meaning you can control it when you are away from home.

The Nest can also be voice controlled through your Amazon Alexa, so you don’t have to get up to adjust the thermostat. It is also called a “learning” thermostat because it picks up on the habits of your household through motion sensors. It essentially learns when your family is home and not home and adjusts the temperature accordingly.

 

Comparing the Nest and the Honeywell Pro 8000 

Both the Nest and the Honeywell Pro 8000 are programmable, smart thermostats, but there are a few differences. The Honeywell Pro 8000 has a touch screen, which is one feature that customers say make it easier to use. Another advantage is the fact that the Honeywell Pro 8000 costs less than the Nest thermostat.

It also gives you more control over the programming. The Nest essentially programs itself, however, if you don’t like the Nest’s interpretation of your preferences, it can be difficult to override it. The Honeywell Pro 8000 takes more time to program, but it allows you to be more in control of your settings.

 

The Nest Gets Negative Reviews

Although the Nest is very popular (it happens to be the top seller of programmable thermostats on Amazon), it still has some negative reviews. The biggest complaints about the Nest are:

 

  • It is difficult to install.
  • It will not let you override the automatic setting. It “learns” and adjusts to your habits, but it won’t let you make changes if you don’t like it’s interpretation.
  • It requires pre existing wiring. If you don’t have the necessary wiring in place, there are additional products to purchase that increase the overall installation cost.
  • It does not produce the monetary savings that it boasts.

 

Which Product to Choose?

While the Nest thermostat has some positive features, Berico recommends the Honeywell Pro 8000 as the best programmable thermostat overall. It allows for more custom programming so you can experience greater home comfort. It also costs less than the Nest, which means you’ll save more money in total.

 

Berico Provides Programmable Thermostat Installation

Installation of programmable thermostats can be tricky. There are specific wires and electrical voltages that are required for proper operation. Berico provides professional installation of your smart thermostat as well as programming assistance to help you get the most energy savings possible.

Call (336) 273-8663 today or request service.