The Nest Thermostat

So I decided it was time to try out the new Nest Learning Thermostat...self-programmable, iPhone-controllable and designed by the same folks who designed the iPod and iPhone.

It just arrived last week and is a cute little booger.  But why would someone pay $249 for "cute" you might ask?

Well, the truth is HALF of the typical utility bill is controlled by your thermostat.  Most people have purchased a programmable thermostat.  Problem is, they failed to properly program them to begin with.  With the Nest, simply operate it manually.  As you do, it automatically learns what feels comfortable to you, what times you wake up or go to bed, what days you tend to sleep in late, when you've left for work, etc.  After a few days to a week, it'll know your routine.  You'll soon find you won't be walking up to adjust it.

This video will show you a little bit about it.  But get this, your family has left for a summer vacation.  Dutifully, you set the A/C so it won't be running needlessly so much while you're gone.  But you want the house comfortable before you get home.  So you're on the drive back and about three hours from arriving home.  You open your smart phone and tell your thermostat to adjust the A/C to come on.  Voila!  Your home begins cooling for your family's arrival!

How the Nest works to save you money is pretty cool.  If you're interested, you can click here to see a simple little video illustrating that for you.

When I opened the box, I immediately saw they had already addressed one concern I had.  I was concerned I would have to repaint where my rectangular thermostat was when I installed my little round Nest.  Not to worry.  Included in the packaging are a few plastic mounting bases you can use (if you like) that are simply decorative and eliminate the need to repaint or repair old mounting holes.  Problem solved!

I can't tell you how much the Nest will save me on my energy bill yet, but I'm certain you'll be hearing much more about this little product in the months to come.

by Bryan Naquin.  Follow Bryan on Twitter @ACIexperts.  And you can always contact him at 225.906.2589 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Bryan Naquin is president of Acadian Home Theater and Automation based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  CEPro Magazine ranked Acadian in the top 100 consumer electronic companies in the U.S. coming in at Number 87 for 2011.