In conjunction with the launch of its new Nest Learning Thermostat, Google is launching an updated plugin to display and manage thermostat settings in its app. It turns out that this redesign also applies to older models.
The updated user interface for the Nest Learning Thermostat in Google Home more closely mirrors the appearance of the device in the Home app itself. The heating or cooling controls, current temperature, and humidity in the room will be displayed at the bottom.
In fact, one would assume that the new user interface would be available only for the new product, but it seems that this is not the case.
Android Police noticed that an updated plugin interface suddenly appeared in the Google Home app for the old generation of Nest Thermostat. They didn’t specify which thermostat they used, but it’s one of Nest’s legacy thermostats, and it’s not a 2020 model. In fact, based on the user interface, it was assumed that it was from the Nest Thermostat E.
Update
As we approach the debut of Google’s new Nest Learning Thermostat, the new user interface is becoming more common for users of older Nest thermostat models. Over the past few days, many more users have seen the updated design. Supported models include the 2020 Nest Thermostat and the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation), so it looks like the updated user interface will be available for all thermostats.
It is noteworthy that the 2015 Nest Learning Thermostat shows temperature sensors in the Google Home app just like the updated model (see photo).
A little over a month ago, I made a review on the Nest Learning Thermostat. It is a handy device that will support the comfortable temperature inside your room and will save your money on heating at the same time.
As you know, Google owns Nest, and how it often happens in big companies, not all areas of production keep up with user requests. And the fact that Google has partially closed the Nest API has been sad news for independent developers. If you use the Nest app, which manages only its own devices, you may have paid attention to the fact that the app did not update for quite a while. It also does not have that many devices.
I think it will be much more convenient for anyone to control their devices from within one app. I chose Home Assistant as the system since you can integrate many devices from different brands, manage them, and add any automatization algorithm.
I must warn you: to get access to the Nest Smart Device Management API you will need to pay 5 dollars. It is a one-time payment for API access.
After finishing setup through Home Assistant, you will gain access to these essences: Climate, Sensor, Camera.
Registering device access
For this step, enable Nest API and create an account for Home Assistant to exchange info with the Nest API.
Creating and configuring Cloud Project in the Cloud Console:
Click on “OAuth consent screen” and start setting it up.
Choose “External” (this is the only option if you are not a G-Suite user), and then click on “Create”.
On the “App Information” screen, enter the App name and the User Support E-Mail, and then type in your E-Mail address in the “Developer contact email” section. They are displayed only during the OAuth to give Home Assistant access to your account. Click on “Save” and “Continue”. Do not add unnecessary info (for example, the logo) to avoid additional Google checks.
On the “Scopes” step, click on “Save and Continue”.
On the “Test Users” step, add your Google account (example@gmail.com) to the list. Click on “Save” in your test account and then “Save and Continue” to finish the process.
Go back to the OAuth consent screen and click “Publish App” to set the “In Production” status.
The warning states that your application will be available to any user with Google Accounts that you have entered on the application information screen. It does not compromise your Google Account or your Nest data.
Make sure to disable the “Testing” status since you will be logging out of your Google account every week.
Configuring OAuth client_id and client_secret in the Cloud Console
At the end of this section, you will get the client_id and client_secret you need for the next steps.
Go to the “Credentials” page and click on “Create Credentials”.
Select “OAuth client ID” in the drop-down list.
Choose “Desktop App” in the “Application type” type field.
Give an understandable name to your credentials.
You will now see a message created by the OAuth client. Pay attention to “Client ID” and “Client Secret”. They are crucial to the next steps.
Creating device access for project_id in the Device Access Console
Now that you have set up the authentication, create the Nest Device Access Project, which requires $5. When done, you will have device access to project_id, which is crucial for further steps.
Check the “Accept the Terms of Service” and click on “Continue to Payment” where you will need to pay 5 dollars.
The “Device Access Console” should now be displayed. Click on “Create project”.
Give a name to your project and click on “Next”.
You then are prompted to enter the OAuth client ID you created earlier in the previous section. Click on “Next”.
Turn on “events” by clicking on “Enable and Create project”.
Note the Project ID. You currently have project_id, client_id, and client_secret required for Home Assistant.
Setting up Home Assistant
Now you have everything required to set up Nest in Home Assistant. Open “configuration.yaml” and write according to the sample you see below.
# Example configuration.yaml entrynest:
client_id: CLIENT_ID
client_secret: CLIENT_SECRET
# "Project ID" in the Device Access Console (not Cloud Project ID!)project_id: PROJECT_ID
Be sure to restart Home Assistant in the “Server Controls” section.
Setting up devices
After you added a Nest configuration entry to “configuration.yaml” and rebooted Home Assistant, you need to add Nest integration through the user interface. To do this, you can use the “My” button:
You can do the same manually:
Go to your Home Assistant interface.
On the sidebar, click on “Configuration”.
In the configuration menu, select “Integrations”. (in version 2021.12 Devices & Services)
In the lower right corner, click the “Add Integration” button.
Use the search box, select “Nest” and follow the instructions.
Setting up the Nest integration will guide you through the steps of authorizing your Home Assistant to access your account on Nest devices.
Setting up OAuth for Device Authorization
This section will allow Home Assistant to access your account by generating an OAuth token.
Select “OAuth or Apps”, because we created credentials for the computer programs above in the Google Cloud Console.
Click the “authorize your account” link.
A new tab will open where you can select your Google Account. It should be the same developer account you set up before.
The Google Nest permissions screen will allow you to choose which devices to configure and select from several of your homes. Maybe you want to turn on everything. However, you can skip any feature you do not need to use.
You will get redirected to another account selection page.
You may see a warning screen stating that Google has not tested this program because you have just set up an unverified developer workflow. Click on “Continue” to continue.
You will then get prompted to grant additional permissions. Click on “Allow”.
Confirm that you want to grant permanent access to Home Assistant.
Copy the token.
Insert the token into the Google Home Assistant Link Account dialog box.
The next step is to enter the Cloud Project ID to receive updates from your devices. Open the Cloud Console and copy the Project ID.
If everything is as planned, you will see a working Nest integration.
Using automation and triggers
Nest integration makes device triggers available and the ability to enable automation in Home Assistant. For complete information, see the Home Assistant Automation Guide.
You can use nest / set_away_mode to set Home or Away mode:
# Example script to set away, no structure specified so will execute for allscript:
nest_set_away:
sequence:
- service: nest.set_away_mode
data:
away_mode: away
Controlling the thermostat
The Nest climate platform allows you to control the thermostat from Nest. However, please note that due to the limitations of the European Nest E thermostat, integration with the Home Assistant is not possible for this thermostat.
After setting up the integration and adding the thermostat card to the Lovelace interface, you will be able to control your Nest devices via Home Assistant.
Also, it is now possible to add new climate entities in triggers and automation, calling the appropriate service using previously created configuration files. You can view the templates in the Home Assistant developer tools.
In general, thermostats as a device class are popular in North America. Historically, this device is present in every house there. And no wonder, since this device sets the temperature almost without your interference. In winter, it will turn on the heating, and in summer, when it is hot – air conditioning or ventilation. Thirty years ago, mechanical thermostats controlled most of the climate systems in the USA.
But before you learn about the benefits of such devices, meet the company Nest, which manufactures thermostats for your smart home.
History of Nest
Nest dates back to 2010. It was then that former Apple employees Tony Fadel and Matt Rogers created a startup called Nest Labs. A year later, the company introduced its first version of the thermostat. The device became very popular, and the company’s business went up. Next year, in the wake of its success, Nest Labs will release a second version of the thermostat with an updated design and functionality. The company will later take the second version as a basis for the next generation after Google buys Nest Labs.
So, in 2014, Nest Labs was bought by Google for a whopping (for that time) 3.2 billion dollars without changing the name, is now a subsidiary. In the same year, Dropcam, a company engaged in the production of video cameras, came under the wing of Nest. We will hear about Nest Cam smart security cameras later. The company is also starting to develop a new wireless communication protocol. We will talk later about the protocol.
American version of Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)
I want to say that a 24V interchanging current powers the climate systems of North America. That is not common in European countries. It can also be a problem in our country for those who bought their thermostat in the USA market and wants to mount it manually. But everything is possible. Read on if you need to learn how to do it.
The device has hardly changed, but the thermostat screen and its resolution have increased, so the operating mode and current temperature can be seen from the other end of the room. You don’t have to be close to see the thermostat. Compared to the 2nd Gen, the main changes are inside and in the software.
As for the inside, there is a presence sensor. With the help of this sensor, it “knows” whether someone is at home and adjusts the temperature accordingly. Of course, the device also has a temperature sensor. That means that the thermostat measures the temperature in the room in which it is. But it is also possible to buy remote temperature sensors and put them on the shelf or wall of the room where you want to monitor the temperature.
I stated above that Nest began developing a new wireless standard for their devices. The new thermostat already uses it. This new standard works on the 802.15.4 protocol. Are the numbers familiar? It runs at 2.4 GHz, just like ZigBee, but is a different energy-efficient standard. It is called Weave. It will later become the basis for an open communication protocol for Thread devices. But for now, Nest only uses Weave to connect their own devices. With this standard, the thermostat gets connected to the Nest temperature sensor.
There are more devices in the Nest ecosystem that use the Weave protocol. For example – a smoke and gas sensor Nest Protect. Nest Protect also has a presence sensor, just like the thermostat. Nest Connect is a device that increases the coverage area. All these devices work with a compatible smart lock – Yale Lock.
The box with the US version of the thermostat shows the device itself with the number 75. It is a comfortable temperature in Fahrenheit. The previous version (2nd Gen) displays the number 70 instead.
Let’s see what comes with the Nest Learning Thermostat. In addition to the thermostat in the box, there is a set of screws, a contact disk with ten terminals, a metal mounting plate, and a white plastic protective plate. As a bonus, Nest put a branded screwdriver in the box that is supposed to help you mount the device. You don’t need to use the white plate. It’s usually there to hide the defects on the wall after demounting the previous thermostat.
After mounting and connecting the wires to the disk, the thermostat gets connected to the appropriate connector. After that, it gets attached to its position. But, before we mount the disk to the wall, let’s check out its pinning.
As you know, a 24V interchanging current is powering the thermostat. Connect these wires to Rh and C (Comon) terminals. In the picture, the wires are red and black. C-wire will be “common” to all climate devices. W1 and W2 terminals are responsible for heating. If your home has, for example, a single-stage heater, then only the W1 terminal can be connected to it. Then, you can connect an additional heater to the W2 terminal.
So, when the thermostat decides to heat the room quickly, it gives voltage to both W1 and W2 terminals. But usually, the temperature is raised smoothly and in one circuit to save energy. The room cools down by the same logic. Terminals Y1 and Y2 are responsible for cooling, or, rather, the degree of cooling. If you set a central air conditioner in the room, then the contact of the Y1 terminal sends a signal to the relay. It will then open the ventilation latch with cold air. Meanwhile, the Y2 terminal controls an additional air conditioner.
The G terminal is usually responsible for powering the fan. O/B is rarely used, and only to control a special heating valve. You can take it as third-degree heating. The Rc terminal is used instead of Rh if you will only connect cooling (it connects to the left side). You can set up the “*” terminal in the thermostat settings. It can manage a humidifier, dehumidifier. You can even connect a third heating circuit.
The image below shows one of the options for connecting the thermostat to the heater using a dry contact relay. Other terminals and corresponding devices are connected similarly.
After connecting the wires to the contact ring and installing the thermostat in place, the power is turned on. The thermostat itself will “see” which wires are connected to the terminals. All you have to do is make basic settings and connect to Wi-Fi. By the way, in the settings, you can set the temperature not only in Fahrenheit but also in Celsius.
The European version of Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)
Following the acquisition of Nest Labs by Google, the company began to conquer other markets. Nest has appeared in European stores with the second Gen of the thermostat. But, as it turned out, not all functions in Europe were in demand. For example, in Europe, air conditioning or ventilation was very rarely part of a centralized climate system. The heating control also did not have 24V power as in the US.
That’s why Google decided to release a separate version of the thermostat for countries outside of North America. You will recognize the box of the European version by the number 20 on the thermostat, which is familiar to us, comfortable 20 degrees Celsius. The box with the “European” is a little bigger. The reason is that another device called Heat Link is in the kit.
Modern gas boilers often include thermostats of their brands. Such thermostats connect to the “motherboard” of the boiler with two wires. Once connected, the boiler and thermostat communicate using the OpenTherm protocol. This way, you can manage the heater remotely. OpenTherm has one significant advantage over relay control. During space heating, the boiler gradually increases the coolant temperature. So, the burner inside the boiler doesn’t get exposed to heat. Therefore it lasts longer. In addition, the gradual heating of the coolant reduces gas consumption and saves money.
The photo below shows a Heat Link with an open protective cover. Its inner part shows the scheme of connection to the corresponding contacts.
The first two contacts are the power supply terminals of the 220V device. We are interested in the last two groups of terminals. These are the contacts of the OpenTherm wires and the power contacts of the thermostat with a voltage of 12V.
By the way, you can supply the power to the thermostat via a standard USB connector. The thermostat will connect to the Heat Link device via the already familiar wireless Weave. The distance between the devices cannot exceed 30 meters. But it’s nice that you don’t have to drill the walls. So, you can install the Heat Link in the boiler room and the thermostat on the dresser on a stand.
The kit with the “European” also has a contact ring, but it differs significantly from the American version. There are only two power terminals on the contact ring marked as T1 and T2. The wires to these terminals connect to the corresponding Heat Link contacts. Do not confuse the polarity when connecting these contacts.
Let’s go back to the Heat Link. Just like I said, the advantage is support for the OpenTherm standard. But you are probably already asking the question: will a boiler without OpenTherm work with a thermostat? Jumping ahead, I would say yes, but only in the relay mode (on/off). Some boilers have two terminals on board to connect the so-called “dry” relay instead of an OpenTherm link. Usually, a jumper connects those terminals. If you disconnect the contacts – the boiler turns off, and once connected – it will turn back on. Below is a diagram connecting a dry pair of wires to the Heat Link.
Below is a diagram of the connection of the electric heater to the Heat Link. Note that the current flowing through terminals “1”, “2”, and “3” must not exceed 3A.
After installing all elements of the thermostat, it is possible to begin adjustment. After setting up and connecting to your home Wi-Fi network, you can start using your device.
Nest Learning Thermostat software
From the first day of using the thermostat, the device starts to learn about your habits. It checks how comfortable the room feels to you and remembers if you lower the temperature before sleep. In about a week, the thermostat begins to make adjustments to the climate of your house. It can be both temperature and humidity in the room. The device also turns on the “Auto Away” mode if no one is home. The thermostat will reduce the temperature to an acceptable level, saving you money. The thermostat adapts to your operating mode, and before you return from work, your home will be warm and cozy.
A stable connection to the Internet is required for the thermostat to work correctly. The device connects to the home router via Wi-Fi.
You can control your device in a few ways. The first way is physical interaction. You can always go to the thermostat and set a comfortable temperature by rotating the ring. The second way is through a web browser. You can go to the thermostat settings anywhere around the world and view device statistics or other climate information at home. The third way to control is using an application on your smartphone. Here you will see everything in the browser, but in a more convenient format. You need to log in to the account you created when you first set up the thermostat for the last method.
The fourth method is voice control using Google Nest speakers. Set up the integration once, and the thermostat will appear in the app. You can now control the thermostat using voice commands.
