Nest Thermostat finally gets multi-sensor temperature averaging

The long-awaited feature of averaging temperatures across multiple rooms using Nest Temperature Sensors is finally here. However, there’s a catch: it’s only available on the latest Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen).

If you’re rocking an older Nest Thermostat, you’re out of luck. But don’t worry, you can still use up to six Nest Temperature Sensors with your thermostat, but only one can be active at a time. So, you’ll have to manually switch between sensors to prioritize different rooms.

So, what’s the big deal about this new feature?

Well, for starters, it’s a feature that many Nest Thermostat users have been clamoring for for years. With previous-gen models, you were limited to using only one sensor at a time, which could lead to uneven heating or cooling in your home.

Now, according to a Google support page, with the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen), you can create a comfortable average temperature across multiple rooms. This is especially useful if you have a large home with multiple floors or if you want to prioritize certain rooms at different times of the day.

While this new feature is a significant improvement, it’s still not quite as advanced as what competitors like Ecobee have been offering for years. Ecobee’s sensors can not only monitor temperature but also occupancy, which can help your thermostat adjust the temperature based on whether or not a room is occupied.

So, while the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) is a step in the right direction boasting at least 9 new capabilities, it’s still falling short of the competition in terms of smart home features.

If you’re looking to upgrade your Nest Thermostat, this new feature might be worth considering. However, if you’re already happy with your current thermostat and don’t need the averaging feature, maybe there’s no need to rush out and buy a new one.

Hopefully, Google continues to improve its thermostats and adds more features to compete with the likes of Ecobee.