Is a Nest Thermostat Worth the Price?

Smart thermostats, such as Google’s Nest-branded devices, have never been more popular, but are they worth it? By factoring in the benefits versus the initial outlay, it should be possible to decide whether purchasing a Nest Thermostat for your home is worth the investment.

So, here’s a closer look at the Nest Thermostat itself.

The entry-level Nest Thermostat from Google costs $129.99 — though it may be on sale for just $99.99. The Nest Learning Thermostat is another, more expensive option that costs closer to $250.

To pick between the two, it’s a good idea to consider both models and then decide on an individual basis. Some households will benefit from the added functionality packed into the Nest Learning Thermostat. Others may only need the more focused provisions of the standard Nest-branded device.

Google’s thermostat features vary between models, as you might expect. For example, you can program and adjust the device with Quick Schedule via the accompanying Google Home smartphone app. Accordingly, users can change their homes’ temperatures with just a tap and fine-tune their comfort wherever they are, all with the app’s easy-to-use controls.

At the other end of the Nest range, the Nest Learning Thermostat then further boasts the ability to program itself. Additional monitoring can also help to catch many heating and cooling system issues early on before they turn into bigger problems.

Crucially, many of the most important features and benefits are shared across all Nest thermostat devices irrespective of the cost. Typically, these are:

As a result, upgrading to a more expensive version is more about paying for additional luxuries. On the other hand, Google’s most basic offering, the standard Nest Thermostat, offers improved energy efficiency and cost-saving potential.

Currently, the standard Nest Thermostat is available in four colors — Snow, Sand, Charcoal, and Fog. Meanwhile, the costlier Nest Learning Thermostat is available in Black, White, Copper, Polished Steel, Stainless Steel, Mirror Black, and Brass.

As we’ve already learned, Google’s thermostat prices start around $100- to $130 and go all the way up to $250. As with any thermostat, smart or otherwise, it’s vital to take installation into account. Traditionally, for many people, this would involve calling in an expert. You could expect to pay anywhere up to $250 to have a smart thermostat professionally installed.

However, unlike most other smart thermostats, Google’s Nest lineup is designed to be self-installed by buyers. For the standard Nest device, installation should take 30 minutes or less, according to Google. Elsewhere, installing the slightly more complex Nest Learning Thermostat should take roughly an hour, they say.

With that, buyers can save up to $250 compared to buying an alternative requiring professional installation. As such, the benefits and potential energy cost savings of a self-installed Nest thermostat should begin to outweigh its purchase price in almost no time at all.

According to the federal government’s Energy Star program, a typical household in the U.S. spends over $170 per month on utilities. Much of this stems from heating and cooling provisions. With a smart thermostat, Google promises average cost savings of around 13 percent on heating and cooling bills combined.

Based on a rough monthly cost saving of a little over $22, a self-installed, entry-level smart thermostat will have paid for itself in under six months. From then on, it’s saving all the way, which means that a smart thermostat should be more than worth it for the majority of people.

After purchasing a high-tech thermostat, you should protect it with an extended warranty. Upsie offers a range of smart home tech warranty solutions. In addition, Upsie cuts out the middleman and costs up to 70 percent less than warranties offered by manufacturers and retailers.

Nest thermostat warranty benefits include protection against manufacturer defects, mechanical issues, power shorts, and non-accidental failures to computer chips and other internal parts. Smart thermostat warranty packages are further available for a host of different makes and models from brands including Control4, Ecobee, and Honeywell.

Upsie also offers warranties for major and small appliances, as well as laptops, tablets, smartphones, fitness equipment, and more.