If there’s a flagship example people use to illustrate the potential of the “Internet of Things” — the idea that everyday devices are connected to the internet — it’s the Nest thermostat, now part of Google.
Nest has transformed the U.S. market with its innovative Smart Thermostat, designed by Matt Rogers, one of the minds behind the iPod. The device turns the mundane task of managing central heating into something attractive and intuitive.
Nest’s motto is simple: “We take the unloved products in your home and make simple, beautiful, thoughtful things.”
Now available in the UK for the first time, Nest is welcome news for anyone tired of traditional dial thermostats and drawn to the sleek, playful “orb” design that looks like it belongs in a high-tech home.
Most of us aren’t battling supervillains, but we do wrestle daily with deadlines and chores. The last thing many want to worry about is whether the heating is on, off, or wasting energy.
Nest uses internal sensors to learn when you’re typically at home and creates an automated schedule that heats your house accordingly. It also learns how long your home takes to reach a set temperature, so it can warm the space precisely when you want it.
When sensors detect no one is home, Nest can switch the heating off to avoid wasting energy. If you’re away for several days, it keeps the house at a low, safe temperature to prevent freezing pipes or other damage.
The entire system is controllable via smartphone, so you can delay heating if you’re unexpectedly held at work, or turn it on while you’re returning so your home is warm when you arrive.
Energy reports show how much energy you’re using and saving. The Nest Leaf icon appears when you choose energy-efficient settings; Nest claims lowering the thermostat by just 1°C can reduce heating costs by about 10%.
“With the U.K. Office of Gas and Electricity Markets reporting that UK households spend on average around £1,342 per year on energy, and heating accounting for over 60 percent of energy bills, it’s the perfect time to bring the Nest Learning Thermostat to the UK,” said Lionel Paillet, general manager for Europe at Nest.
“Nest Learning Thermostat customers in the U.S. typically save about 20 percent on their heating and cooling bills, and we’re looking forward to helping UK customers achieve similar savings,” he added.
In the UK, Nest is partnering with energy supplier npower. The product competes directly with British Gas’ Hive smart thermostat.
For UK installations, Nest recommends professional installation because the system includes an additional unit called the Heat Link, which serves as the programmer for many UK boiler systems.
Nest offered free professional installation on purchases made before April 8 when the thermostat was priced at £179. After that promotional period the system was expected to cost £249 including professional installation.
What do you think about smart thermostats? Share your thoughts in the comments.
To learn more about the Internet of Things, visit the IoT Tech Expo Europe in London’s Olympia, held 2–3 December, 2015.