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Is the Nest Right For Your Home?
If you’re looking for ways to save money on heating and cooling costs, you’ve probably considered the Nest. The Nest was the first smart thermostat to hit the market, and it's still one of the most popular today. It's considered a “learning” thermostat, meaning that it intuitively sets temperatures in your home based on your daily schedule and preferences.
The Nest app connects to your phone and can detect when you’ve left home, gone to bed, or started your daily routines. It learns how warm or cool you prefer your space throughout the day and adjusts accordingly. This automation helps save energy and money—your system only runs when it needs to.
Advantages & Disadvantages of the Nest Thermostat
1. Money Matters
One of the drawbacks to the Nest remains the upfront cost — the latest models still run around $250 or more, which is higher than many other smart thermostats. But the energy savings continue to make it a worthwhile investment.
Nest owners can save an average of 10-12% on heating and 15% on cooling annually. That translates to about $130-$150 in savings each year, meaning it typically pays for itself in under two years.
Many utility companies, including Austin Energy, continue to offer rebates (currently around $85), which can help reduce the initial cost.
The Nest also offers daily and monthly energy usage reports so you can track how you’re using your HVAC system and make smarter energy choices.
2. Easy Access
With the Nest app, you can control your home’s temperature from anywhere.
Coming back from a trip and want your home cooled down before you walk in the door? Just open the app and set it remotely.
Even better, the Nest uses your HVAC system’s performance data to predict how long it will take to reach your desired temperature, starting early enough so it’s ready when you need it.
That said, the Nest still uses a temperature swing of a few degrees (typically ±1.5°F). So if you set it to 70, it may hover between 68.5 and 71.5. This helps conserve energy, but may bother users who prefer extremely precise temperature settings.
3. Master Monitor
The Nest doesn’t just learn your habits — it also monitors outside weather and your HVAC system’s performance.
If temperatures drop or spike unexpectedly, it adjusts your settings to maintain comfort and reduce energy usage. It can also send alerts when it detects system issues or extreme weather that could impact performance.
4. Smart Home Integration
Newer Nest models integrate with smart home systems like Google Home and Alexa, and offer voice control and improved motion sensing.
What’s the Verdict? Do the Benefits of Nest Thermostats Outweigh the Cons?
While the Nest isn’t the cheapest or most precise thermostat, its long-term efficiency, smart learning features, and remote access continue to make it a strong choice for homeowners in 2025.
One important consideration: Some older homes still may not have a C-wire (common wire) needed to power the Nest. In these cases, installation may require a C-wire adapter or HVAC professional assistance.
Still, most HVAC professionals agree: if you want to lower energy bills and take advantage of smart home integration, the Nest remains one of the best options on the market.
Thinking about upgrading your thermostat but not sure if Nest is the best fit? Check out our latest blog comparing the top 3 smart thermostats of 2025 and see how Nest stacks up against other options like Honeywell and ecobee Smart Thermostat.
When you're ready to install, 1st Home can help. Our team can assess your system and handle the full setup so your HVAC runs smarter, and more efficiently, all year long.