NEST thermostats
- Thread starter Django x2
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It needs 240V power supply. Standard UK thermostats use that, so if you not putting it where the old one is you need to provide an external power supply. Hence, the cable.
I don't have an existing thermostat, so I don't have existing wires.
The wire down the wall does seem a joke, but it appears to be real! They surely win an award on how to make something good-looking appear ugly.
The problem is the thermostat uses 12v and our heating is 240. If it was 240 you could get an electrician to do a fused spur or something.
The screen should last much longer than 2-4 years imo.
Prices dropping will require more companies making products with similar or better features and at a similar/lower price point. Right now they have a premium offering which few come close to matching in functionality outside of a bespoke system which is no cheaper. Progress in this sector seems quite slow but in 3-5 years that could change I guess.
That £1,000 you were quoted was based on RRP. Look at retail prices and you'll likely find it a few hundred cheaper. A starter pack + mobile access kit + 8 TRVs costs about £700 retail.
Regarding the wiring for the Nest, they recommend using wires in the wall if they are already there, but not for a new install (see below):
If it's safe to wall-mount with existing wiring, then it's safe to do so with new wiring. They are simply offering another alternative to power it.
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Then pay someone to hide the cable. I'm not sure what you expect them to do. It needs a power supply and you don't have one. What would you suggest
For a £70 install (though it is free this week), I expect them to conceal wires in the wall. I shouldn't have to pay for another electrician to come finish the job properly. It would be better if it ran on batteries, like Hive (?), Honeywell and many others. Alternatively, they could have bundled the stand rather than being an extra expense.
There are lots of new options in this space that have recently launched or about to launch (Hive, Nest, Lightwave Heating), so I do expect more competition over the coming years... it is still new/niche tech as far as the masses are concerned.
Has the UK-spec Nest thermostat unit got any sort of battery life, or does it solely rely on mains power to operate?
If not I can see future versions being completely wireless, and running off batteries either standard or rechargeable like a typical wireless stat.
If not I can see future versions being completely wireless, and running off batteries either standard or rechargeable like a typical wireless stat.
I was all set to order Hive Active Heating to finish my new boiler install in my bungalow adaption project but I really liked the Nest when I was looking into it's availability. I've already ordered a Protect Smoke Alarm.
The problem I have is I don't have an existing wired thermostat and I don't want the power cable to be visible for it, does anyone know if this could it be wired to a fused spur with the power cable put in the wall?
The problem I have is I don't have an existing wired thermostat and I don't want the power cable to be visible for it, does anyone know if this could it be wired to a fused spur with the power cable put in the wall?
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It's not going to be neat as it will want 12v so there will be a power brick. I'd be looking at having a power cable installed from the 'heat link' converter box on its 12v supply.
Not strictly true, it will last 2 hours without power but I don't think it works properly without power.
British gas have responded with 'free' Hive on the expensive package.
http://www.britishgas.co.uk/product...and-control-august-2015.html?cid=dplk_control
The screen on the NEST looks closer to what you get on a smartphone than on a regular thermostat. This means its power requirements are also going to be similar to that of a smartphone's screen.
If a battery version did come along, it would still need mains power. The batteries would allow you to move it temporarily but that's it. You can forget about getting years, months or even weeks from a battery-powered NEST. You'll probably be lucky to get a few days.
They've given you mobile phone access so providing a 2nd method of portability is probably not high on their agenda.
Having said that, the Evohome does have an option to operate it away from its mains powered mount/stand but the battery life is just 2 hours. I believe the charging stand is included in the base pack too (not extra).
If a battery version did come along, it would still need mains power. The batteries would allow you to move it temporarily but that's it. You can forget about getting years, months or even weeks from a battery-powered NEST. You'll probably be lucky to get a few days.
They've given you mobile phone access so providing a 2nd method of portability is probably not high on their agenda.
Having said that, the Evohome does have an option to operate it away from its mains powered mount/stand but the battery life is just 2 hours. I believe the charging stand is included in the base pack too (not extra).
That's going to be interesting, it's a pain the Nest can't be installed to a fused spur. I'll need to speak to my electrician who is doing the work and see if he can run the required cables for me from my combi boiler in my garage.
The only other problem I have is finding the best place to run the cables to, so the Nest features will work correctly Auto Away etc.
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Soldato
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UK themostats running on 240v are evil. We were doing some decorating last month and needed to remove the stat from the wall. Let's just say that I'm glad the RCD works.
Think I'm going to do it. It can replace the existing thermostat we have and I assume I don't need to power it from a wall plug if the wiring for the existing thermostat is there.
So, does this then tell the boiler to turn on / off (rather than the program timer) which will remain largely redundant apart from hot water timing?
If so, thats fine, then we'll just set up the TRVs in the house on each of the rads.
So, does this then tell the boiler to turn on / off (rather than the program timer) which will remain largely redundant apart from hot water timing?
If so, thats fine, then we'll just set up the TRVs in the house on each of the rads.
Don't forget you'll need to replace the wireless receiver attached to your boiler with their Heat Link device. My current one is hidden inside the boiler but the NEST one looks like it'll need wall mounting outside it nearby.
How do you plan to use it in conjunction with TRVs? Just set the TRV to one setting and leave it or you getting programmable ones?
For those of you who were querying how to power the NEST controller, it looks like the Heat Link receiver takes a 230v line in and provides a 12v line out which goes to the NEST controller. Communication is done wirelessly though which is odd if you're running a cable between the two anyway...
How do you plan to use it in conjunction with TRVs? Just set the TRV to one setting and leave it or you getting programmable ones?
For those of you who were querying how to power the NEST controller, it looks like the Heat Link receiver takes a 230v line in and provides a 12v line out which goes to the NEST controller. Communication is done wirelessly though which is odd if you're running a cable between the two anyway...
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