Google Announces New Nest Thermostat

Google this morning announced a simpler and less expensive version of its Nest Thermostat that costs just $129.

“We built this thermostat because people want to use less energy at home, whether to save money or help the environment,” Google’s Ruchi Desai writes in the announcement post. “But most people are still using the decades-old thermostat that came with their house. To many, smart thermostats still seem too expensive—something that would be nice to have, but not something for their home. So we set out to change that—here’s what you can expect from the new Nest Thermostat.”

The new Nest Thermostat is controlled with the Google Home mobile app and can also monitor heating and cooling systems and, Google says, detect potential issues early. A Quick Schedule feature lets you set a custom temperature at different times and on different days, and its Savings Finder functionality will make small optimizations over time that will help you save energy.

Most intriguingly, the new Nest Thermostat uses the Soli technology that Google debuted in the Pixel 4 lineup last year for motion sensing. Combined with your phone’s location, it can help you avoid heating or cooling an empty house, Google notes.

Google says that setup takes 30 minutes or less, and the new Nest Thermostat comes in four nice colors: Snow, Charcoal, Sand, and Fog. You may need to purchase a trim kit as well, however.

You can pre-order the new Nest Thermostat in the US and Canada now. It will be available in the coming weeks for $129.99, and will also be made available via select retailers like Best Buy and Home Depot. Note that some utility providers will actually give you a rebate for purchasing an energy-efficient tool like this. You can find out if you’re eligible here.