Cool new Nest Thermostat

[kfly]

I hope they come out with a API for this cool new Thermostat.
It was created by former Apple employees.
http://www.nest.com/

[DaveB]

My company is a dealer for them. We have installed about 10 or so to date. Very impressive, but at this point, no open to any automation connectivity. I understand it is on the list.

[rm1759]

Dave, any chance you can get your hands on one or two of them? they seem to be sold out everywhere...

[DaveB]

We have 8 in stock and all are sold. We just ordered another dozen. I will let you know when they arrive to see if you are interested.

[Post]

I'm pretty sure it's just json that's used for communicating with it.

Edit. Found this link. Somebody else is on to the same thing.
http://www.wiredprairie.us/blog/index.php/archives/1442

And another.
https://github.com/wiredprairie/Nest-The...DotNET-API

[DaveB]

From what I have learned, it is a modified form of Json. If anyone wants one to play with, just let me know and I will reserve one from the next shipment.

We service mostly homes that are in a summer shore resort area, so sales are just starting. We have several in my office set up on real systems for testing and I use the interface on my iPhone and iPad. Works very well. I really like the auto-anticipation feature. It learns your schedule and habits after about three weeks and learns how long it takes to warm up or cool down the home based on a combination of interior and exterior temperature, then starts modifying the program.

[DaveB]

I should also point out that the other thermostat that we carry is the Ecobee http://www.ecobee.com which is more sophisticated than the nest. It handles multi stage systems better, radiant systems, solar systems and so on. I actually like the interface better, however it all comes at a price. The nest is by far the coolest one on the market. I understand that they are developing some advanced nest models. We also have these available if anyone is interested.

[sic0048]

It looks cool and I'm sure it will be popular with the non-automation folks. But having to manually change the thermostat temps everyday until it "learns" stuff is pretty non-automation friendly. Plus the fact is that most people's routine isn't really very routine - perhaps on most work days it is, but what about weekends or holidays, or when you are away from the house on vacation, etc. There will always be exceptions to the norm. Not every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc is going to be exactly alike in real life - ever....

It is so much easier to have a fully compatible HVAC thermostat hooked into the automation system. I can create and change temps by time very easily if I desire (and I have one set up to raise the temps in the morning), but more importantly the temps are set by my alarm state. When I stay up later than normal to watch TV, or if I go to bed early because of an earlier than normal meeting the next day, the temps aren't changed based on "my normal activity", instead it changes when I arm the alarm before going to bed. Same thing about leaving the house and returning back home - the system knows the occupancy of the house and changes based on that. If I am on vacation, the system knows this and acts appropriately which means a greater variance from the normal temps since no one is home. None of that could be done effectively with that type thermostat or any other "programmable" thermostat.

[DaveB]

Your missing the point - It is a full automation thermostat with the correct interface. All of the automatic stuff is for folks that do not have an automation system which represents 98% of the users. For us 2%, integration is very powerful.

[sic0048]

Well someone has to create the interface first (not just for CQC, but for any integration). Until then it isn't an integrated component.