Latest Nest Thermostat Adds Larger Screen, Expanded Motion Sensing, Furnace Diagnostics Tool

Nest Labs unveiled the third-generation Nest Learning Thermostat ($249) Tuesday, touting a slimmer profile for closer mounting to a wall, a 40 percent larger, high-resolution screen and an updated user interface. New software features for the latest Nest Thermostat include Farsight, which automatically displays the target temperature or time when it senses movement from across the room, and a diagnostic program that gives advance notice about potential problems with a customer’s heating system, said Nest. Most forced air furnaces have automatic shutoff to avoid overheating, and the third-gen Nest will look for shutoff patterns that indicate a persistent problem, said the company. Users will be warned with a message on the Nest app and thermostat screen twice a year, along with a notice in their monthly report, it said. Partners for the latest Nest thermostat include ADT, Direct Energy, Infinite Energy, Reliant, Southern Co. and SunEdison. The device is available online at Amazon, BestBuy and Nest.com and will be available soon in Best Buy stores, Google Store, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Target and Verizon Wireless, said Nest. The second-gen Nest thermostat is now selling for $199, said the company.