Google launched the third-generation version of its Nest Learning Thermostat on September 1, Tuesday. It can help to produce more energy-efficient homes and decrease heating and cooling bills, thus paying for itself. Key features include a larger display, compatibility with other smart home devices, and the same $249 price point.
The search engine giant reported that the Nest thermostat resulted in 10 to 12 percent lower heating bills, and 15 percent cheaper cooling bills. It usually pays for itself within two years.
Google's third-gen Nest is the same size as the previous versions, and can be purchased at the identical $249 price tag. That is at Nest.com and Amazon.
For customers who want a cheaper smart thermostat, there is some good news. The price of second-generation Nest thermostats has been cut to $199 while supplies last, according to BGR.
The new Nest's screen is 40 percent bigger than its previous models and contains one-fourth more pixels (480 x 480), so users can read the display from across the room. It is a big plus.
The LCD display is round. It also has less of a grooved ring than the previous versions, according to Tom's Guide.
Google's third-generation Nest includes a new feature called Farsight, which causes the unit to light up when a person walks into a room where it is installed. It displays the pre-set temperature or the current time.
Another new feature is Furnace Heads-Up. It searches for abnormal shutoff patterns, and alerts the user if any exist.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is also compatible with several other smart home gadgets. One exception is the Apple HomeKit.