The Google Nest Thermostat series is an advanced smart home device that learns your temperature preferences. Unlike many of its standard counterparts, you can also program it manually from your smartphone. It takes a while to master the controls, but you can even save energy once you do.
If you’re not sure how programming works with a Nest thermostat, you’ve come to the right place. You will also learn some energy saving tips. Continue reading to find out the details.
How to create a schedule on a Nest thermostat
There are three Nest Thermostat models, but only two have the auto-scheduling feature. The standard model may not adjust the temperature on its own, but it does recommend adjustments thanks to its Savings Finder. Here are the models:
- Nest Thermostat
- Nest E Thermostat
- Nest Learning Thermostat
Since the Nest Thermostat requires a different app to control, we’ll separate the sections. We will also include instructions for enabling automatic scheduling.
Nest Thermostat
The Google Home app controls the Nest thermostat. When you link the device to the app, it should appear in the device list. Here’s how to create a schedule:
- Launch the Google Home app on your smartphone.
- Select the Nest thermostat.
- Select “Settings.”
- Choose “Temperature.”
- Choose a day of the week to add a temperature.
- Tap “Add.”
- Select a preset you like or create a new one.
- Choose the time of that day by dragging the numbers.
- Confirm your choice and select other days of the week, if desired.
- Repeat the steps until you are satisfied with the schedule.
- Tap “Done” to save your changes.
It is also possible to return to the schedule later if you decide to modify it. You can always edit the temperatures and active time according to your needs and circumstances.
The Nest thermostat will prevent you from continuing if you select conflicting times. Any variable temperature within a schedule must have at least a 60 minute difference between them.
After setting up the schedule for a day, you can tap “Copy Schedule (insert day here)” to copy that plan. Tapping on the other days will paste the schedule on those days. Doing so saves time rather than manually adjusting every day to be the same.
Unlike the other models, you can’t use the Nest thermostat to adjust the temperature.
Nest E Thermostat
Like the Nest Learning Thermostat, the Nest Thermostat E requires the Google Nest app. Therefore, both devices will not respond to the Google Home app. If you’re near the thermostat, you can also create a schedule right on it.
Here are the instructions for using the Nest app:
- Launch the Google Nest app on your phone.
- Choose the thermostat from the list of devices.
- Tap “Schedule” to begin.
- Choose the day you want to adjust.
- Tap “Add.”
- Drag the setpoint left or right to adjust the time.
- After doing so, drag it up or down to change the temperature.
- When you’re done, change to another day.
- Repeat the steps until you are satisfied.
If you want to modify the temperature directly from the thermostat, follow these steps:
- Go to the Nest Thermostat E.
- Open the Quick View menu.
- Go to “Settings”.
- Select “Schedule.”
- Turn the ring to select a day and time to set.
- Tap “New” to choose a new temperature.
- Turn the ring until you find the right moment and press down.
- Turn the ring again until you find the temperature you want and press down.
- Repeat for the other days.
Here we explain how to activate automatic programming on your Nest Thermostat E.
- Open the Google Nest app.
- Choose your thermostat on the home screen.
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Tap “Nest Sense.”
- Select “Automatic Programming.”
- Tap “Yes” to confirm.
After you enable automatic scheduling, the Nest Thermostat E will learn what temperatures you like and make adjustments. Just change the temperature from the app as you like and the device will remember your patterns. After a while, you start creating a schedule based on their feedback.
Nest Learning Thermostat
The Nest Learning Thermostat has similar functions to the Nest Thermostat E. Both can be controlled using the same app or directly on the device screen. However, the former has compatibility with more heating and cooling systems and costs more.
To change the Learning Thermostat schedule in your app, try this method:
- Open the Nest app.
- Select Nest Learning Thermostat from the home menu of your app.
- Go to “Schedule” to get started.
- Choose a day to personalize.
- Select “Add.”
- Move the setpoint left or right to set the time.
- To change the temperature, move the dot up or down.
- Change to a different day if necessary.
- Repeat as necessary.
Alternatively, you can also create a schedule using the thermostat screen.
- Activate the Nest Learning Thermostat.
- Navigate to the Quick View menu.
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Choose “Schedule.”
- Start turning the ring to choose a day and time.
- Tap “New.”
- Use the ring to set the time and press down to confirm.
- Do the same afterwards with the temperature before pressing.
- Repeat for the other days.
The Nest Learning Thermostat also has automatic scheduling capabilities.
- Launch the Google Nest app.
- Select the device from the home screen.
- Navigate to the “Settings” menu.
- Go to “Nest Sense.”
- Choose “Automatic Schedule.”
- Select “Yes” to continue.
Save energy with Nest thermostats
All three Nest Thermostat models have an energy saving feature. Appears as a Nest Leaf icon while you adjust your schedule. When you set the temperature to something that saves energy, the blade will jump.
We recommend Nest Leaf preferences when setting a schedule to save energy. The more you see it, the less energy heating or cooling consumes.
Another tip is to reduce the temperature by one degree, as many people do not notice the difference. Generally, lowering the temperature slightly will increase savings over time.
Google Nest can also turn off the system if it detects that you are not home. “Away” and “Auto-Away” modes are available if you enable them and turn off the system when your home reaches a minimum or maximum temperature.
However, manually setting it to “Away” for longer absences will save more energy and maximize savings. In contrast, “Auto-Away” can heat or cool the house when it detects activity, which is not efficient. If you have pets or plants at home, be sure to take their health into account as well.
No more starting dials
With the help of Google Nest thermostats, many homeowners are experiencing greater energy savings. Smart systems are also easy to operate, and if you activate automatic programming, you’ll hardly have to make any changes afterwards.
