Nest is offering an update to its smart thermostat's software, providing improved energy-savings features, a more user-friendly interface and allowing users to monitor potential boiler issues with a system test.
Update 4.3 is a free patch and available to download starting on Nov. 4. Nest suggests the update could save users up to 6 percent on heating and cooling bills.
"Before the winter season we thought we should have a system update to bring new features to our existing customers," said Lionel Paillet, Nest's general manager for Europe. "What the update is going to do, is it will learn from your preferences better. It is going to adjust better to the weather outside and the occupancy of the home. All-in-all, we are going to deliver 6 per cent more energy savings than what we were delivering with the previous auto schedule."
While there is nothing too different about the update, there is a new "Quick View" which gives users more information about the heating and cooling environment and system.
Users can press a button to display both indoor and outdoor temperatures as well as humidity. Users can also turn the outer ring to show the menu, with each icon displaying information about that particular icon below it.
The update also now includes a System Test mode, which allows users and service providers to power cycle different components of the HVAC system, making it much easier to diagnosis issues.
"With the software update you can actually launch system tests which will understand if the time it takes to reach a temperature is normal," continued Paillet. "If it is not, the Thermostat will tell you that your heating system is lacking efficiency and you should have it maintained and contact your heating specialist."
The auto-scheduling feature has also been updated, allowing the device to be able to track schedules of users more easily and in greater detail. This update, according to Nest, should save users up to 6 percent on heating and cooling bills.
The update itself will roll out over the next few weeks, but in the meantime users can also check out the updated Nest app, which allows users to better manage the updated features on the smart thermostat.
Smart home devices have been getting more and more popular over the past few days, with companies offering smart refrigerators, smart light bulbs and other smart devices.
