Nest thermostats get 10-day history, Airwave
updated 10:05 am EDT, Thu April 5, 2012
Nest gets mid-cycle feature update
Nest brought out a rare example of a home appliance update Thursday by patching its thermostat. The Internet-aware device now has a 10-day record of its heating and cooling patterns, referred to as the Energy History. It both shows overall trends and helps explain why a change happened, such as automatic changes owing to the weather or to deliberate changes. The updates are available both on the Nest itself and in the Android, iOS, and web apps.
The component now has its own unique air conditioning trick to avoid a chronic problem with air conditioners' tendency to waste some of their cooling potential. Airwave takes advantage of the AC unit's being cold just after it finishes to end the cooling process slightly earlier and use fans to blow the cold air through the rest of the house.
Other changes include quicker access to common settings on the Nest and its apps, such as for the Range Mode. Those who buy new hardware should also get an easier time for installation with new backplates and self-developed screws that can mount the Nest without wall anchors.
The thermostat continues to cost $249, while its apps are free.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
A friend owns one
He loves it and has nothing but praise for both the device and software. When I'm ready to replace my current thermostat this is its successor.