New Nest isn't as good as the old Nests, especially multi zone

AdamInEvergreen

I recently bought the new Google Nest Thermostat which retails for $130 and is on sale for $100. I've had the Nest Learning Thermostat ($250 retail) and the Thermostat E ($180 retail) for a while and they have been working pretty well for me so I was happy to see the 3rd one being more budget friendly, but alas they made some notable cost cutting measures.

Issues the newest Nest has compared to the others:
-Has replaceable alkaline batteries which are not rechargable. My understanding is the other two Nests have internal rechargeable batteries so they can recover whenever the thermostat is calling for heat. If you have a c-wire or buy their $25 c-wire adapter this probably isn't an issue.
-The new Nest is not controllable from the Nest App. You have to use Google Home.
-Google Home app needs some work...they dont show temperatures or status until you click on each thermostat individually. Also I'm unsure if there is integration with Nest Protect. When integrated Nest Protect will turn your thermostat(s) off if a carbon monoxide alarm goes off.

Let me know if you guys have a preferred WiFi thermostat for multi zone systems! All the reviewers out there are all about single zone (which is like 90% of the market). Recovery periods are longer on hydronic systems so the "turn it off if you aren't home" features are kind of a waste anyways.

Here is Google Home screen with the three Nests connected:

EBEBRATT-Ed

So after spending $530 or their abouts on Nest's how much fuel do you think they will save?

SuperTech

I think all Nest thermostats are a junk product. All the hype and marketing make people think they will save money with these thermostats but it just doesn't happen, especially with hydronic and radiant heating.  Not to mention the countless problems caused by homeowners installation.  

Honeywell makes some good wifi thermostats. T6 PRO or even better the Vision PRO IAQ.

PC7060

Agree with @SuperTech; Nest are too much trouble.  Played with one on a forces air system where the nest was located in a room without much traffic.  Kept lowering the heat because didn’t detect movement. 

Replace it with a Honeywell 9000 series and and found it to be very effective.  Easy to program scheduling features plus fan circulate functions is nice for the ducted systems. 

Ironman

Nest is for the birds.

pecmsg

They do make a good Hockey puck or Clay for Skeet Shooting!

Zman

pecmsg said:

They do make a good Hockey puck or Clay for Skeet Shooting!

I don't think they will fit in the hand thrower, but should work well in the launcher. With a target like that, my aim will surely improve.

Steamhead

Not to mention the little cameras and microphones in Nest thermostats. I'm amazed that people tolerate these spying devices in their homes. Why do you think Google bought out the original Nest company?

AdamInEvergreen

Honestly the first two nests have been great. They understand recovery time, they do a good job shutting off the heat when nobody is home, the app works well and install was easy (no c wire or adapter required). My heating bill is more than a thousand dollars a year and they have certainly paid themselves off, although I never paid retail price. Additionally, if I recall correctly at the time I bought the first one there were few wifi thermostats, and that functionality has been great. The first two literally do everything I need them to without issues.  

I'm sure honeywell makes great thermostats but the sheer quantity of SKUs is baffling. Even after narrowing it down by the recs from you guys I still feel like I have a research project to figure out the right one. 

Lastly I don't get the criticism that they are expensive or make exaggerated claims...Honeywell is at the same price point (for wifi thermostats, $100-200, especially after including $25 c wire adapter) and makes the same claims. And so does the Energy Star program. And Emerson. And Ecobee. 

PC7060

There are a lot of heat pump, hydronic and steam professionals on the site who have had bad experience with Nest. These type of systems are not typically well suited for Nest adaptive behavior. 

Nest seems to perform well for hot air furnaces which have faster recovery times.  As long as it’s located in a room where it can sense occupants.  

pecmsg

AdamInEvergreen said:

Honestly the first two nests have been great. They understand recovery time, they do a good job shutting off the heat when nobody is home, the app works well and install was easy (no c wire or adapter required). My heating bill is more than a thousand dollars a year and they have certainly paid themselves off, although I never paid retail price. Additionally, if I recall correctly at the time I bought the first one there were few wifi thermostats, and that functionality has been great. The first two literally do everything I need them to without issues.  

I'm sure honeywell makes great thermostats but the sheer quantity of SKUs is baffling. Even after narrowing it down by the recs from you guys I still feel like I have a research project to figure out the right one. 

Lastly I don't get the criticism that they are expensive or make exaggerated claims...Honeywell is at the same price point (for wifi thermostats, $100-200, especially after including $25 c wire adapter) and makes the same claims. And so does the Energy Star program. And Emerson. And Ecobee. 

Then keep using it!

Jells

I've been happy with the nests on 2 zones of my hydronic system, once I got rid of ALL the attempts to figure out if I was home or not! The programming is so easy using the app, and the adaptive learning of recovery time seems to work for the moderate setbacks I use. My utility is giving them away right now, I just got some more for my basement and rentals.