The Nest thermostats are definitely ranked highly when it comes to smart thermostats. When thinking of whether to add one or two to my smart home, I wondered if it requires a wireless internet connection at all times. So, I did some more research to find out if Nest needs Wi-Fi to work.
Does Nest need Wi-Fi to work? Nest does not need Wi-Fi to carry out its normal functions, but there are additional features that are available with a wireless connection.
The Nest thermostat has become a trend among homeowners within the past several years. Some of the most appealing features of the new technology are the user-friendly interface as well as the convenience of the programmability.
And, of course, the savings you can get from having a smart thermostat.
The Features of a Nest Thermostat
The Nest thermostat, or Nest Learning Thermostat, was developed by Nest Labs and released in the year 2011. Within the 8 years the brand has been in existence, there have been several improvements and new models of thermostats that have been released to the market.
The most basic characteristics of a Nest thermostat are the energy-saving properties and self-learning behavior. More specifically, the thermostat will pick up on the regular temperatures that are set by the user to create a pattern of reference. For the first few weeks, the user will have to constantly adjust the temperature on the thermostat to their preference, and the Nest will learn these behaviors and begin to reciprocate them automatically.
Not long after the thermostat has been purchased, installed, and adjusted, the Nest will be able to maintain an average temperature that is tailored to the user specifically.
Another one of the innovative features that are built into every Nest thermostat is the energy saving mode that can be switched on when the house is empty.
The thermostat is able to carry out these functions due to its internal sensors that are able to locate phone signals. Just like the thermostat learns the behavior of the user in terms of temperature preference throughout the day, it will also learn the whereabouts and routines of the people in the house and learn when they are typically away from the home.
In the event of the sensors not picking up on any nearby phone signals within the home, the Nest thermostat will automatically go into its energy saving mode when necessary. This is a huge benefit to the owner of the thermostat because less energy waste directly translates to less of an energy bill at the end of the month.
The Nest thermostat is a groundbreaking invention that essentially programs itself and helps the user save money at the same time. With an app that directly controls the thermostat, the interface of the technology is more user-friendly than most other products that exist anywhere on the market.
The Limitations of Nest Features in the Absence of a
Wireless Internet Connection
Although the basic functions of the Nest thermostat can be carried out as normal in the absence of a wireless internet connection, there are some limitations as to which features can and cannot be used until the Wi-Fi is re-connected to the device.
When the Nest is connected to Wi-Fi, the user is able to control its features from any device that can download the corresponding app. This includes smartphones, computers, laptops, and tablets. From the Nest app, the user is able to change the temperature on the thermostat from a remote location, adjust the temperature schedule, check for any issues with the system, check the history of energy usage, and more.
When the Nest is originally purchased and installed, there is actually an internet connection that is required to set it up. Once it is up and running, a Wi-Fi connection is needed for all controls that are initiated from the smartphone app and any Bluetooth connections as well.
If the internet connection fails during the beginning stages when the Nest is still trying to learn your behavior, it will continue to run on the schedule that you had set it previously. However, with the absence of a connection to Wi-Fi, you will not be able to make any changes to the current temperature from any other device. Instead, you will have to physically adjust the temperature from the devices screen manually.
What To Do When Your Nest Thermostat Goes Offline
When using the Nest thermostat, it is possible to run into problems with the Wi-Fi connection occasionally. If your Nest is not properly connecting or your home Wi-Fi network is not appearing on the screen as an available network, here are a few steps to help you troubleshoot the problem.
When you are first trying to connect to the internet and your network is not showing up as an option, wait about one minute for the system to reload. Sometimes this action can be delayed and it does not indicate any problems with the Wi-Fi or the device.
If your Wi-Fi network never shows up on the list of available connections, you might have a problem with your router. It can be hard to identify this as the problem, especially if other devices are successfully connected to it. However, this should not be ruled out for the Nest thermostat.
The next step in this situation would be unplugging your router and plugging it back into the wall, or restarting it in another manner according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Another possibility for why your Nest thermostat is offline could be that your network is hidden. When this happens, you can simply type in the name of your network on the screen and fill in your security type and password to gain access to the connection. If this still does not work, you should try to use another form of wireless connection if you have one.
Some of the additional issues that could be causing this problem include wireless interference and an incompatible router. Always make sure that no other devices are interfering with the thermostat.
These devices could be anything from baby monitors to microwaves. Additionally, your Wi-Fi router could not be set up to support your new thermostat. This will have to be checked by reading the manufacturer’s documents to ensure your router is being used in the correct mode.
- Lastly, if none of the above solutions have worked to get your Nest thermostat back online, you can restart the entire thing and proceed to reset its network settings. Once you have restarted the device, you can go to the settings portion and try to connect the network once again.
In the event that this still does not work, you can reset by going to settings, finding reset, and selecting a network within that menu. After all of these steps have been taken, your Nest thermostat should be successfully connected or re-connected to your wireless internet network.
Related Questions
How much does it cost to get a Nest thermostat?
The price of a Nest thermostat can vary depending on where you buy it and which model you choose. However, the general price range for a Nest thermostat is anywhere from $140 to $170 if you buy a used or refurbished device, with a cap at the $200 mark. A brand new Nest thermostat could cost anywhere from $200 to $250.
In addition to the cost to purchase the device itself, there are professional installation costs to consider if you are not able to do it yourself. Professional installation for a Nest thermostat will cost about $100 to $250, depending on a variety of factors.
If you get multiple Nest thermostats installed during the same appointment, each additional thermostat will be discounted at approximately $25 to $50 each.
Price will also vary depending on if you are looking at the Nest Learning Thermostat or the Nest Thermostat e.
What are the differences between Nest and more traditional
thermostat systems?
The Nest thermostat is more unique than almost any other temperature device on the market due to its self-learning algorithm and the user-friendly interface. The Nest will learn the preferences of its owner to keep an average temperature that is in correspondence with their regular patterns.
Additionally, Nest thermostats are able to track when the house is empty in order to go into a special energy-saving mode. With an easy wireless connection and a mobile app for remote controls, this device is much more convenient and user-friendly than any traditional thermostat that requires manual adjustments at all times.
Are Nest thermostats worth it?
The Nest thermostat is much easier to program than an average thermostat and begins working on its own almost immediately. They are much more convenient with the use of mobile apps and advanced technology to suit your individual preferences.
The Nest thermostat essentially learns how to program itself and continues to work for itself throughout the rest of its entire lifetime. There is very little maintenance required for a Nest thermostat, and the upfront investment that goes into purchasing one could possibly save you money in the long-run.
The energy-saving feature is unlike any function that a traditional wall thermostat could possibly carry out. So, in short, Nest thermostats are definitely worth