Nest has introduced a lower priced thermostat product called the Nest Thermostat E, showcasing the biggest re-design since the first Nest thermostat was launched in 2011.
In order to target a different set of users, the company said it has introduced “a simpler, more affordable thermostat” which has “a friendlier, streamlined design that fits into any home.”
A couple of things separate the new model from the previous one. First, the Nest Thermostat E sells for US$169 instead of US$249. Reducing the price helps the company attract consumers who are looking for a less expensive thermostat model.
Second, the looks. Covered in glass, metal and LCD screen, Nest’s signature thermostat has a tech-savvy design. The new model, however, has a white plastic-like ring and a frosted glass in front of the display, which brings down the high-tech feeling and won’t be noticed as easily on a wall.
Despite the price cut, the Nest Thermostat E has many of the same functions of the previous model. It connects to the Internet and can be controlled through a mobile app. The device can detect users’ location via the GPS sensor in the smartphone, to allow it to adjust the temperature at home accordingly.
One feature the Nest Thermostat E doesn’t get from the old model is “farsight,” which allows the thermostat to turn on the display to show the current temperature while owners are standing across the room.
Also, the Nest Thermostat E is compatible with fewer heating and cooling systems. Nonetheless, it can work for many homes. The company said the new model can be used for 85% of homes in the U.S. while the original one works for 95%.
And of course, the new model supports voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Apple HomeKit is currently not on Nest’s support list.
Shipping of the Nest Thermostat E starts on the first day of September for US$169. A Nest representative said in a recent briefing that the company has set the goal to sell two to three times the number of thermostats in the next four years. The Nest Thermostat E is the first step on the company’s path to reach the goal.