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 scheduling with a Nest Thermostat works, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll also learn some energy-saving tips. Read on 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-Schedule feature. The standard model may not adjust the temperature on its own, but it does recommend settings thanks to its Savings Finder. Here are the models:
- Nest Thermostat
- Nest Thermostat E
- Nest Learning Thermostat
As the Nest Thermostat requires a different app to control, we’ll separate the sections. We’ll also include the instructions for enabling Auto-Schedule.
Nest Thermostat
The Google Home app controls the Nest Thermostat. When you link the device to the app, it should appear on the list of devices. Here’s how to create a schedule:
- Launch the Google Home app on your smartphone.
- Select the Nest Thermostat.
- Select “Settings.”
- Pick “Temperature.”
- Choose a day of the week to add a temperature.
- Tap on “Add.”
- Select a preset you like or create a new one.
- Choose the time for that day by dragging the numbers.
- Confirm your choice and select other days of the week, if desired.
- Repeat the steps until you’re satisfied with the schedule.
- Tap on “Done” to save the changes.
Coming back to the schedule later is also possible should you decide to modify it. You can always edit the temperatures and time active according to your needs and circumstances.
The Nest Thermostat will prevent you from proceeding if you select times that conflict. Any varying temperatures within a schedule must have at least a 60-minute difference between them.
After setting up the schedule for one day, you can tap the “Copy (insert day here) Schedule” to copy that plan. Tapping on the other days will paste the schedule to those days. Doing so saves time instead of manually adjusting every day to be the same.
Unlike the other models, you can’t use the Nest Thermostat itself to adjust the temperature.
Nest Thermostat E
Like the Nest Learning Thermostat, the Nest Thermostat E requires the Google Nest app. Therefore, both devices won’t respond to the Google Home app. If you’re near the thermostat itself, you can also create a schedule on it directly.
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 on “Schedule” to start.
- Choose the day you want to adjust.
- Tap on “Add.”
- Drag the setpoint left or right to adjust the time.
- After doing so, drag it up or down to change the temperature.
- When done, swap to another day.
- Repeat the steps until you’re satisfied.
If you wish to modify the temperature directly from the thermostat, follow these steps:
- Go to the Nest Thermostat E.
- Open the Quick View menu.
- Navigate to “Settings.”
- Select “Schedule.”
- Turn the ring to select a day and time to adjust.
- Tap on “New” to choose a new temperature.
- Turn the ring until you find a suitable time and press down.
- Rotate the ring again until you find the temperature you want and press down.
- Repeat for the other days.
Here’s how to turn on Auto-Schedule for your Nest Thermostat E.
- Open the Google Nest app.
- Pick your thermostat from the home screen.
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Tap on “Nest Sense.”
- Select “Auto-Schedule.”
- Tap on “Yes” to confirm.
After enabling Auto-Schedule, the Nest Thermostat E will learn what temperatures you like and make adjustments. You only have to change the temperature from the app as you like, and the device will remember your patterns. After some time, it starts creating a schedule based on your input.
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’s screen. However, the former has compatibility with more heating and cooling systems and costs more.
To change the Learning Thermostat’s schedule on your app, try this method:
- Open the Nest app.
- Select the Nest Learning Thermostat from your app’s home menu.
- Go to “Schedule” to begin.
- Pick a day to customize.
- Select “Add.”
- Move the setpoint left or right to establish time.
- To change the temperature, move the point up or down.
- Change to a different day if required.
- Repeat as needed.
Alternatively, you can also create a schedule using the thermostat screen.
- Activate the Nest Learning Thermostat.
- Navigate to the Quick View Menu.
- Head to the Settings menu.
- Pick “Schedule.”
- Start rotating the ring to pick a day and time.
- Tap on “New.”
- Use the ring to adjust the time and press down to confirm.
- Do the same afterward for the temperature before pressing down.
- Repeat for the other days.
The Nest Learning Thermostat also has Auto-Scheduling capabilities.
- Launch the Google Nest app.
- Select the device from the home screen.
- Navigate to the “Settings” menu.
- Go to “Nest Sense.”
- Choose “Auto-Schedule.”
- Select “Yes” to proceed.
Saving Energy With the Nest Thermostats
All three Nest Thermostat models have an energy-saving feature. It appears as a Nest Leaf icon while you adjust your schedule. When you set the temperature to anything that saves energy, the leaf will pop up.
We recommend the Nest Leaf preferences when setting a schedule to save energy. The more you see it, the less power the heating or cooling consumes.
Another tip is to reduce the temperature by one degree, as many people can’t tell the difference. Usually, slightly turning the temperature down will increase savings over time.
The Google Nest can also shut down the system if it detects you’re not at home. Both “Away” and “Auto-Away” modes are available if you enable them and turn your system off as your home reaches a minimum or maximum temperature.
However, manually setting it to “Away” for more prolonged absences will save more energy and maximize saving. Conversely, “Auto-Away” may warm or cool the house when it detects activity, which isn’t efficient. If you have pets or plants at home, make sure to account for their health as well.
No More Cranking Dials
With the help of the Google Nest Thermostats, many homeowners are experiencing increased energy savings. The intelligent systems are also easy to operate, and if you turn Auto-Scheduling on, you barely have to make changes afterward.
Which thermostat model do you have at home? Do you think the Nest Thermostats help save energy efficiently? Let us know in the comments section below.
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