Smart thermostats, like the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen, are often touted for their energy-saving capabilities and ability to provide peace of mind while you’re away from home. However, one homeowner’s experience serves as a stark warning about a potential critical flaw in the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen that could lead to devastating consequences, especially in colder climates. This is their firsthand account.
In 2018, seeking to reduce energy consumption and safeguard their home during travels, the homeowner invested in two Nest 3rd Gen Thermostats. These thermostats were set up to manage a dual-zone heating system in their Massachusetts home, controlling the downstairs area and the master bedroom. The heating system itself was a natural gas furnace with forced hot water. Everything seemed set for efficient heating and remote management.
Upon returning from a four-week trip to Florida, the homeowner was met with a nightmare scenario. Both Nest Learning Thermostats had gone offline while they were away. The downstairs unit failed first, followed by the master bedroom thermostat a few days later. Remote rebooting of the XFi router, their internet hub, proved unsuccessful in bringing the Nest thermostats back online. Interestingly, other Nest devices, including indoor and outdoor Nest cameras, remained connected and operational.
Living in a region known for harsh winters like Massachusetts, the failure of the heating system had catastrophic results. Frozen and burst pipes in the baseboard heating system caused extensive flooding in the basement and first floor of the home. The damage was severe, impacting walls, flooring, ceilings, and personal belongings, with estimated costs exceeding $100,000.
Upon investigation, and after contacting Nest Support and reviewing the Google Home app Energy Dashboard, the root cause was identified: battery failure in the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen. It was discovered that the lithium batteries in these thermostats can reach a point where they can no longer hold a charge. In this instance, the Nest thermostats had shut down to conserve power before completely failing. Once the batteries fully discharge, the Nest Thermostat becomes incapable of activating the heating system.
Alt text: Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen displaying a red flashing light, indicating a potential system error or low battery.
The homeowner found both Nest thermostats flashing red upon arrival. Attempts to revive them by charging with a micro USB cable for 12 hours were futile. Each thermostat displayed a “shutting down” message immediately after being placed back on its base plate and then became unresponsive – essentially dead. This failure occurred in both Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen units, highlighting a significant design vulnerability.
This battery issue is not just an inconvenience; it’s a potentially devastating flaw, especially for homes in cold climates. The inability of the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen to maintain heating due to battery failure can lead to frozen pipes and extensive property damage. The homeowner argues that Nest should be proactively warning consumers about this potential for catastrophic failure in cold weather environments.
Adding to the homeowner’s distress, their insurance company is now requesting Nest records to assess if there was negligence in maintaining heat in the home. The possibility of an insurance claim denial looms, further compounding the financial burden of the damage. Currently, Nest offers no solution for this battery failure issue other than recommending the purchase of new devices at $249 each.
Alt text: A Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen mounted on a wall, showcasing its sleek design in a home setting.
In response, the homeowner is planning to file a consumer complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the MassSave program. Their aim is to ensure that other consumers are not similarly impacted by this Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen battery failure. They advocate for a warning label for this product, especially when sold in cold weather states like Massachusetts, to alert consumers to the risk of catastrophic failure due to battery discharge.
This experience underscores a critical point: while smart thermostats offer numerous benefits, potential flaws like battery failure in the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen can negate those advantages and lead to significant financial and emotional distress. Homeowners, especially those in regions with freezing temperatures, should be aware of this potential risk and consider precautionary measures to protect their homes from frozen pipe damage in the event of a thermostat malfunction.
