Can You Run a Nest Thermostat Without Wifi

Are you thinking about installing a Nest thermostat in your rental or abode?

I've recently been on a Smart Dwelling house upgrade streak. I only installed a Band Floodlight Cam and Ring Doorbell merely I hesitated to purchase a Nest Learning thermostat.  They are non cheap and I wasn't sure it was compatible with my home or rentals.

However, I wanted to give information technology a effort to see if it could lower my utility bills with the intention of rolling it out across my rentals.

In this commodity I will:

• Tell yous why a Nest thermostat might be right for your dwelling house or rental
• Talk about the potential bug of installing a Nest thermostat without a mutual wire (AKA C-wire)
• Show yous what'southward included in the box and what extra tools y'all might need
• Give you visual, footstep-by-stride tips and instructions for mounting the Nest thermostat
• Show you how to make the virtually of your Nest thermostat and so you lot can save money and ameliorate your ROI
• Tell you if information technology was worth the investment for me

Does A Nest Thermostat Make Sense For Your Rental (Or Home)?

There are 3 main reasons to consider investing in a Nest thermostat for your rentals.

Savings For You Or Your Tenant

Perhaps the best reason to install a Nest Learning thermostat is for the potential money savings. Saving operating costs should be a priority for every landlord. It doesn't matter if you pay for the utilities or not.  Either way you volition benefit.

• If you pay for utilities, saving money volition straight improve your Net Operating Income.

• If your tenant pays for utilities, saving them coin is a big selling point. It will aid you lot rent your apartment faster and keep tenants longer, both of which better your lesser line.

How Much Can I Salvage?

According to Nest, their customers save an average of 10-12% on heating and xv% on air conditioning or virtually $131 – $145 annually.  This ways y'all can potentially compensate the cost of the device in just over a year.

Obviously your savings will depend on a number of factors. If you lot use a Nest thermostat for both your oestrus and air-workout the savings will rack up all year long. Other factors such equally blazon of heat, local utility rates and how efficient your HVAC arrangement is will also impact the savings yous will come across.

Can't I Become Like Savings From Programmable Thermostats?

Elementary, Programmable Thermostat

You lot can theoretically accomplish similar results with a basic programmable thermostat that costs around $50. This will apparently have a much improve ROI. However, information technology's non always easy to remember to change the programming as necessary.

For example, when is concluding time you adjusted 1 for daylight savings time? Or accept you lot ever temporarily adjusted the thermostat off schedule? That adjustment can go on for hours when it'due south not necessary.

A smart thermostat like the Nest Learning thermostat volition actually make these adjustments for you. You don't accept to remember. Information technology knows when you're home or not.

With features similar Domicile/Abroad Assist it even knows when you're coming habitation or when yous're about to leave. It takes the human cistron out of the equation then it'southward much more than efficient. More on this below.

Even if you are diligent and always suit your simple programmable thermostat to maximize savings, a Nest thermostat will exercise more to assist your rental's bottom line.

Attract And Go along Ameliorate Tenants

In my recent article covering the Ring Video Doorbell and the Band Floodlight Cam, I mentioned how smart applied science is becoming an bonny characteristic for millennials.  Advertising your rental as a "smart home" will aid you attract and retain better tenants. This can improve your bottom line dramatically.

According to Buildium's 2022 Renters Report, xxx% of renters consider free energy efficiency to be important when choosing a rental.

SoftwareAdvice.com conducted a like survey and found that a Smart Thermostats like a Nest Learning thermostat ranked among the virtually compelling smart devices to offer for those likely to rent.

Although I'k not aware of any published studies, I strongly suspect that all else equal, that an apartment advertised with Smart Tech will receive more, ameliorate qualified applicants and will rent quicker than an apartment without those features listed.  I might but attempt a non-scientific experiment during my next vacancy so stay tuned!

But it'due south non just nigh the absurd cistron. At that place are other features of the Nest that your tenants will appreciate… and pay for.

Tenants Love (And Pay For) Convenience

Everyone appreciates convenience and almost are willing to pay for it.

Here are a few of the convenient features of a Nest thermostat that your tenants (or yous) may detect well worth the premium price.

• Nest thermostat learns your patterns in a few days – subsequently that you don't have to suit it unless you desire to
• Nest thermostats are super easy to use – but plow the punch to adapt the temperature
• Never worry most changing the thermostat temperature when you lot get out the house
• Modify the temperature someday from anywhere with your phone
• Create and adjust a temperature schedule from your telephone
• Go a full conditions report with a simple push of the Nest
• Yous can simply ask Alexa to turn up the temperature
• Nest knows the outside temperature and tin make adjustments automatically
• Nest thermostats tell you the temperature when you walk by
• A large, bright brandish means y'all never have to squint to read the temperature

Other Absurd Benefits Of A Nest Thermostat

Here are a few other cool features on a Nest thermostat your tenants will appreciate:

• Lock feature allows y'all to lock in a temperature range with a security pin. Roommates or tenants without the pin can still use the device but can't alter the temperature beyond the range you set.
• Early feature means you lot never have to come up habitation to a cold or hot firm again
• Air Wave technology. This uses the absurd air left over after the air-conditioner shuts off. This cuts the time the compressor is running by 30%. Your programmable thermostat tin can't exercise this.
• True Radiant technology. Nest thermostats know if you have radiant heat and it understands how long it takes your particular system to estrus upwardly. Information technology takes the guess work out of programming a thermostat.
• Nest Thermostats know the indoor humidity level and the Cool To Dry feature will plough on the Air-conditioning to remove excess humidity
• The little dark-green leaf icon tells you when y'all are saving energy and money
• You tin pull up abode energy reports at the touch of a push button
• Nest Sensor Thermostats tin be placed in rooms throughout the business firm to ensure optimal temperature in each room

What Are The Drawbacks To A Nest Thermostat?

Nest thermostats can benefit landlords and tenants alike but they are non without their drawbacks. You lot should understand what issues you might run across before installing one.

Premium Price

The biggest drawback to a Nest Learning thermostat is the toll. At effectually $250 each they are not inexpensive. Especially when a unproblematic programmable thermostat but costs about $50 and other Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats can be found for about $150.

However, yous don't have to pay $250. They normally go for well-nigh $220 but I was able to purchase mine during a Blackness Friday deal. It just toll me about $180.

You might also be able to get a large disbelieve (or even a free Nest thermostat!) through your local utility company.  Visit your local free energy supplier's website or the Nest Rebates & Rewards page to run across if you lot authorize.

Software Glitches

Another drawback of a Nest thermostat, as with whatsoever other technology, is that information technology tin can exist glitchy. I don't think this is unique to a Nest thermostat but the more complicated the arrangement the more things that can become wrong.

Some users have reported bug subsequently having the system run software updates. While it seems to be in the by, that doesn't mean it won't happen over again.

These things should be temporary equally the companies usually fix them fairly apace. Still, that's little alleviation in the center of a snowstorm and you take to explicate to your tenant that it's a software problem and it's out of your control.

Pro Tip. Go on your old thermostat handy at each rental just in case your Nest thermostat experiences an issue related to software or not having a Common wire (see beneath). You can always switch out the thermostats in the event of a weather related emergency. This should keep your tenant happy.

Potential Issues When Installing A Nest Thermostat Without A Common Wire

The biggest potential drawback to a Nest thermostat is the fact that it uses an internal battery.  This is both a plus and a potential negative.

If you have an older home or rental, it's possible you don't have the necessary common wire (aka a C-wire).  This wire provides the power necessary to run the extra features of today's smart thermostats.

Don't worry though if you accept your heart attack a Nest thermostat.  You lot can actually install a Nest thermostat without a c-wire but you lot should exist aware of the potential issues.

The Nest Learning thermostat has an internal battery that charges itself from the HVAC system. The battery is used to power the display, wifi connection and other features. It can run out of juice if the HVAC is non in use for a while.

To accuse itself, the Nest thermostat quickly turns on and off the HVAC without actually cycling it. This gives it just enough juice to continue operating.

Signs Of An Issue With Your Nest Thermostat

Some people have reported issues with their Nest thermostat when it wasn't hooked up to a common wire ability source. This tends to happen during moderate atmospheric condition when the HVAC isn't being used and therefore the Nest thermostat is not receiving a accuse.

Common Signs Your Nest Is Struggling Without A Common Wire:

• HVAC is making clicking or other sounds as if it is turning on and off rapidly
• Rut or AC is always on
• Your Nest thermostat says the HVAC is "delayed"
• HVAC fan turns on and off repeatedly
• HVAC fan is always running or won't turn on

Some owners have reported hearing their furnace plough on and off briefly periodically.

More on this consequence can be found in this comprehensive commodity on the topic.

Fortunately, I take not experienced this trouble yet.  However, I only accept my Nest thermostat hooked up to my furnace and it will not be getting a accuse all summertime long.  I'yard expecting to have issues in April when my furnace stops running. Stay tuned!

What Can I Exercise If I Experience Issues?

Fifty-fifty if y'all don't currently take a Mutual wire available you have several options:

• Check inside the wall and the HVAC command panel to make sure you actually don't have a C-wire.  Former's it'southward just tucked away considering it'southward not being used.
• Install a C wire and run information technology from the furnace to the thermostat. This requires within wall access from the furnace to the thermostat.

Venstar adds a c-wire

• Use a Venstar Add-A Wire system.  This will adds a wire to a four or 5 wire organization without having to pull the wires through the wall.  Unfortunately, it doesn't piece of work with fewer wires.
• Utilise a 24v Power Adapter

• You tin can accuse the Nest thermostat via the USB connection on the back.  People report that a charge can last 2 months.  This will be enough to become your through the in-between seasons when an HVAC isn't necessary.
• Yous tin can likewise preserve battery power past disabling the Farsight function which turns on the Nest thermostat display whenever it detects nearby motion.

What's In The Box

The Nest Learning thermostat comes nicely packaged and well protected.

Your Nest comes with pretty much everything y'all need – even the screwdriver. I only needed a pair of wire cutters to clean upwards the existing thermostat wires.

Here'south exactly what you volition find in the box.

1. Cover plate to hide the hole if the Nest thermostat doesn't encompass information technology.
2. Electric box mounting hardware
3. The Nest thermostat device
4. Nest screwdriver. Why do tech companies include these?
5. Mounting plate
6. Drywall / Wood screws
7. Electrical box mounting screws
8. Nest thermostat booklet

1. Nest thermostat booklet
2. Pro installation materials booklet
3. Installation guide

Installing Your Nest Thermostat

I am really impressed at how companies like Nest and Ring take fabricated their devices then simple to install that even a not-so-handy landlord like myself can practice it.

Confirm Nest Thermostat Is Compatible With Your Organisation

Nest claims that their 3^rd Generation Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with 98% of HVAC systems simply you should ostend this earlier you buy one.

To do this, simply remove your current thermostat from the wall and note how many wires there are what they are connected to.

Here's what mine looked like.

No common wire here.

To determine compatibility, check the Nest website.

Y'all may still have questions about how the wiring will work with the Nest thermostat versus your current thermostat. Don't worry. Let Nest ship you a personalized custom wiring diagram.

Here'due south what mine looked like. Annotation I only have a two-wire arrangement.

Like shooting fish in a barrel Peasy

All I did was send them the model of my current thermostat and a picture of the wires coming out of the wall. That was all the information they needed to tell me exactly which wire went where on the Nest learning thermostat.

Installing Your Nest Thermostat

Step One – Turn Off The Power

Plow off the power to your electric current thermostat and furnace or air conditioner or both.  Y'all tin practice this past tripping the breaker that powers the HVAC in your rental or habitation.

Fifty-fifty though the voltage is depression, you notwithstanding need to close off the power. That's because you lot can actually practise damage to your HVAC system when you lot're messing with these wires.

Y'all can ensure the wires are no longer carrying electric current with this device.

Standard & Low Voltage Tester

Step Two – Remove Old Thermostat

My house isn't that old but apparently this thermostat was state-of-the-art in 1983.

Old mercury mode thermostat

Take a motion-picture show of the wires on your electric current thermostat. Label them with the handy stickers provided by the Nest Learning thermostat materials. This style you won't lose track later.

Step Three – Mark Holes For The Mounting Plate

The Nest thermostat comes with a handy level on the mounting plate so you tin hands mount it straight.

Simply pull the thermostat wires that are in the wall through the pigsty in the eye of the mounting plate.  Put the mounting plate upward confronting the wall and marking the appropriate holes.

Pace 4 – Attach Mounting Plate And Wall Cover

This step is pretty straightforward.  Put the mounting plate into the wall cover and screw it into the wall where yous marked the holes.

The Nest Learning Thermostat wall screws are cocky-tapping and can get straight into drywall. No demand for wall anchors.

Pace Five – Attach Wires To The Mounting Plate

This is actually simple if you got the custom wiring diagram directly from Nest.

But clean the ends of the wires and attach the wires according to the diagram.

Be certain to strip the wire just enough to have a make clean connection and not leave too much exposed wire in one case information technology'south inserted into the mounting plate.

Note that the wires are pushed into the mounting plate. To do this you simply the press the button to the side of the letter and button the appropriate wire inside.

Also note that the little grey buttons do not snap back one time the wires inside as you might look they would. Requite them a gentle tug to make sure the wires are holding firmly.

Step Six – Attach Nest Learning Thermostat

This is the easiest step of all. Simply line up the nest thermostat connection plug with the receiving end of the mounting plate and push button it in.

That'due south it!  Now plow on the ability and you're fix to set upward your new Nest thermostat!

Setting Upwards The Nest Thermostat

You will spend more time setting up your Nest thermostat than y'all will spend really installing information technology.

Merely don't worry, the Nest Learning Thermostat walks y'all through the process stride-by-stride. All yous need is to have your smart phones set and then y'all can pair them with Nest.

Nest Thermostat Set Up Steps:

Nest.com

• Cull your language
• Connect to your WiFi
• Enter your location

• Detect the HVAC equipment

• Fix Eco Temperature

• System Test

• Fix up the Nest app and connect the device to your phones

Has My Nest Thermostat Saved Me Money?

I've been using my Nest thermostat for a couple of months for heat. Here are the results I got.

My January Gas Bill

Co-ordinate to my kickoff utility pecker subsequently installing the Nest Thermostat, I used over 31% less energy than the same month last year.  The boilerplate temperature was eight° warmer so that certainly contributed.

However, I was besides on holiday for about 10 days this aforementioned month last year and so that bill was understated.  Between the warmer atmospheric condition this year and the understated bill last year it was probably a wash.

All in all I would say the Nest thermostat is saving me big bucks merely is it enough?

Let's see.

Potential Savings With Nest Thermostat Installed

If my nib was xxx% higher it would have toll me an actress $90 approximately.  Projecting this out for the next 2 months, I could relieve another $180.

According to my rough calculations, my Nest thermostat might be saving me $270 every winter!  Considering I only paid $180 for mine, it'southward already paid for itself in the kickoff two months.  Everything else is pure profit.

Multi-Zone Nest Thermostat Hookups

My home has multiple heating zones then I went alee and installed a second one in the upstairs level.  Here's what the Nest app looks similar when you have more one Nest device.

I don't call back it volition result in nearly equally much savings every bit the beginning Nest thermostat merely think information technology will just help.

eight Means To Save With A Nest Thermostat

Your Nest thermostat offers several ways to make the most of its free energy saving potential.  Here are few things to do when you fix up your Nest thermostat.

Teach Your Nest Thermostat

If you have an unusual schedule when yous happen to install your Nest, it volition learn this.  Teach it the correct schedule past continuously adjusting information technology to your "normal" routine.  It will quickly recall these adjustments and get it correct.

Adapt The Schedule

When I first opened the Schedule characteristic I was a footling overwhelmed at outset.  It looked way also complicated.  Information technology'due south actually very unproblematic.

At beginning your Nest Thermostat will have a blank schedule like the ane in a higher place.  Over time it volition await more like this.

You lot can "correct" your Nest Thermostat schedule by moving the dots around and irresolute the temperature values.

Set The Eco Temperature

Set up the right temp.  Effort something lower/college than you might normally set to see if you can detect the difference.  Use this setting when on vacation.

Expect For The Foliage

Saving energy and money with a Nest thermostat is a little like a game.  If y'all make energy efficient adjustments a piddling leafage will announced.  See if a i° aligning makes the leaf announced.

Enable Machine Abroad

Permit the Nest App access your phone'due south location and then it knows when you lot are home or away.  Nest will call up to adjust the temperature fifty-fifty if you forget.

It's as well a skilful idea to add together other household phones besides.  This style your Nest thermostat won't accidentally turn the oestrus down on your married woman and baby when you lot leave for work!

Monitor Your Energy History

Encounter how much you are saving with the Energy History report. Could you exist doing even better?

Apply Multiple Nest Thermostats

If you have more than than one estrus or cooling zone, and then consider installing a second Nest thermostat.  This way yous tin can fix different free energy efficient schedules that make sense for each zone.

Ready Energy-Saving Triggers

You tin can use your Nest Thermostat to trigger other energy-saving actions by integrating it with Applets from IFTTT.com (If This So That).

There are a number of "Applets" to utilize the Nest Thermostat Away feature to ready triggers that save energy.

A bold applet

This is probably my favorite that someone created.  I haven't tried information technology (nor do I dare!).

Conclusion

Most landlords can realize big benefits from installing a Nest Learning thermostat.  Whether you or your tenant pays the bills doesn't matter because it volition make your rental more profitable either way.

However, information technology's important to understand the drawbacks of a Nest thermostat too.  Especially when it comes to compatibility with a organisation that doesn't include a common wire or C-wire.  It's not a bargain breaker, but y'all need to expect for signs of an outcome and know how to correct information technology.

My Nest thermostat has already started saving me big money.  I know I can get fifty-fifty more out of it by taking advantage of all of it's energy saving features.

Requite it a endeavor in your own habitation and so roll it out across your rentals.  It will make your properties more competitive and assisting!

Go out a comment below and let me know your experiences with the Nest thermostat.

Want More than Money Saving Tips?

Sign upward today for the Accidental Rental Newsletter for admission to more free coin saving tips and tricks to beingness an awesome landlord!

nobleswhould46.blogspot.com

Source: https://accidentalrental.com/nest-thermostat-benefits/

Share this post