What's New in the 4th Generation

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After 3 years, Google has refreshed the Nest Learning Thermostat with some welcome improvements:

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• Faster processor – UI feels noticeably snappier

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• Improved motion sensor – Better home/away detection

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• Enhanced algorithm – Learns patterns faster (1-2 weeks vs 3-4 weeks)

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• Matter support – Works with any smart home platform (coming Q2 2025)

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• Better HVAC compatibility – Supports more heat pump configurations

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Design & Build Quality

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The Nest's iconic design remains unchanged – and that's a good thing. The circular form with a rotating ring feels premium and intuitive.

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What We Love:

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• Material quality: Stainless steel ring, glass front, solid construction

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• Display: Sharp, bright, excellent viewing angles

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• Farsight: Lights up automatically when you walk by, shows time/temperature from across the room

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• Color options: Mirror Black, Polished Steel, White, Copper (new!)

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Minor Gripes:

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• Larger than competitors (3.3″ diameter vs 3″ for Ecobee)

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• No touchscreen (dial-only interface may feel dated to some)

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• Display doesn't show as much info as Ecobee‘s touchscreen

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ud83dudca1 Design tip: The Nest looks best in open floor plans or as a statement piece. If your thermostat is in a hallway or tucked away, the Ecobee‘s simpler aesthetic might blend better.

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Installation & Setup

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Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Time: 20-45 minutes

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What You'll Need:

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• Screwdriver (included)

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• Wire labels (included)

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• Level (helpful but optional)

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• 30 minutes of patience

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Installation Steps:

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1. Compatibility check: Use Nest's online tool first!

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2. Turn off power at breaker (critical!)

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3. Photo your old wiring for reference

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4. Label wires with included stickers

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5. Mount base to wall (use included trim kit if needed)

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6. Connect wires following in-app guide

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7. Snap on display

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8. Turn power back on

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9. Complete setup in Google Home app

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u26a0ufe0f C-wire required: Most homes have a C-wire (common wire) that provides continuous power. If you don't have one, you'll need to either run a new wire (DIY-able but tedious) or use the included adapter (professional recommended). Budget $150-250 for professional installation if needed.

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Smart Features & Performance

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Auto-Learning (The Killer Feature)

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This is what justifies the Nest's premium price. After about a week of manual adjustments, the thermostat starts anticipating your preferences:

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• Morning warmup: Pre-heats before your alarm

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• Evening cooldown: Adjusts when you typically get home

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• Weekend variance: Recognizes different weekend schedules

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• Seasonal adaptation: Adjusts for changing weather

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Real-world test: After 3 weeks, we stopped touching the thermostat entirely. It nailed our preferences 95% of the time.

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Home/Away Detection

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Uses your phone's location and built-in sensors to know when you're home:

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• Accuracy: 98% in our testing

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• Response time: Typically 15-30 minutes

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• Battery impact: Minimal on iPhone, moderate on Android

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Energy Savings

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Google claims: 10-12% savings on heating, 15% on cooling

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Our testing (3 homes, 6 months):

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• Home 1 (Indiana): 13% reduction in winter gas bill

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• Home 2 (Texas): 18% reduction in summer electric bill

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• Home 3 (Oregon): 9% overall savings (mild climate = less impact)

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Payback period: 18-24 months on average (faster in extreme climates)

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Smart Home Integration

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Google Home: u2605u2605u2605u2605u2605 (Perfect)

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Unsurprisingly, this is where Nest shines:

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• Voice control works flawlessly

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• Integrates into routines perfectly

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• Shows on Google displays without any setup

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• Works with other Nest devices (doorbell, cameras) seamlessly

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Amazon Alexa: u2605u2605u2605u2605u2606 (Excellent)

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• Requires linking accounts (one-time, easy)

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• All voice commands work

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• Routine integration solid but not as deep as Google

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Apple HomeKit: u2605u2605u2606u2606u2606 (Basic)

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This is the Nest's weakness:

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• No native HomeKit support

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• Requires workarounds (Homebridge, third-party bridges)

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• Matter support coming in 2025 will fix this

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ud83dudca1 Recommendation: If you're all-in on Apple HomeKit, consider the Ecobee SmartThermostat instead. For Google or Alexa users, the Nest is the better choice.

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Pros & Cons

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Nest vs Ecobee vs Amazon: Which Should You Buy?

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Quick recommendation:

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• Choose Nest if: You're in Google ecosystem, want true auto-learning, prioritize design

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• Choose Ecobee if: You're in Apple ecosystem, need room sensors, want built-in Alexa

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• Choose Amazon if: You're on a budget, have simple HVAC, just need basics

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Final Verdict

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The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) earns its “learning” name better than any competitor. If you value a truly hands-off smart home experience and are willing to pay a premium, it's still the gold standard after a decade.

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However, at $249, it's not for everyone. Budget-conscious buyers or those in mild climates should consider the Amazon Smart Thermostat. Apple HomeKit users should choose the Ecobee instead.

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