A smart way you can reduce your energy usage

Smart thermostats, especially those from Google Nest, have helped redefine how we approach home energy management. Considering the substantial amount of power a home’s cooling and heating system can consume, smart thermostats can play a huge role in enhancing potential savings on energy bills.

As its name says, over time the Nest Learning Thermostat can master your temperature preferences and automatically make intelligent adjustments to enhance your comfort while optimizing electricity use. Forget manually adjusting your thermostat or tweaking temperatures to hopefully find some savings. Nest easily (and more effectively) does the job so we don’t have to.

And when equipped with the Nest Airwave feature, several models of Nest thermostats can take efficiency and potential savings to the next level. So let’s do a deeper dive into what Nest Airwave is how this feature works and how it can benefit you.

What is Nest Airwave?

Available in select Nest thermostats, Nest Airwave is an automated, cutting-edge feature designed to enhance the performance of your home's cooling system in a very innovative way.

By maximizing the use of already cooled coils and reducing compressor usage, Airwave decreases energy consumption and reduces wear and tear on your cooling equipment. This not only saves energy but may even help extend the life of your HVAC system.

How Nest Airwave works

Nest Airwave is designed to take advantage of the residual cooling potential of your air conditioning system. Here’s how:

• When your AC cools your home, it not only lowers the temperature but also removes humidity, making the air feel cooler.
• Airwave intelligently turns off the AC compressor a few minutes before reaching the target temperature, while the fan continues to run.
• This process uses the already cooled coils to continue lowering the room's temperature or maintain it, significantly reducing energy consumption without affecting comfort levels.

Nest Airwave shines in its ability to manage temperature extremes efficiently. By “understanding” the dynamics of your home's cooling needs, it adjusts the use of the compressor and blower systems to maintain optimal comfort levels. This is particularly beneficial during hot summer days when the demand on your AC unit is highest.

Which Nest thermostats feature Airwave?

The feature is supported by a range of Nest thermostats, including the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) and the Nest Thermostat E. Ensuring your Nest device is compatible is the first step toward unlocking the full potential of this advanced feature.

How to use Nest Airwave to help save energy: the basics

Nest Airwave is an automatic, intelligent feature. When activated, you’ll see the Nest ”swirl symbol” displayed on your thermostat. This is a good sign and an indicator Airwave is actively optimizing your cooling system’s performance.   

To make the most of Nest Airwave, it's essential to understand how to use it effectively:

1. Ensure your Nest thermostat is set to "Cool" mode.
   
   
2. Optimize your temperature settings to avoid extreme cooling demands.
   
   
3. Allow Airwave to automatically activate when conditions are right, typically on humid days.

By following these simple tips, you can enhance your home's energy efficiency and enjoy a comfortable, more sustainable approach to AC use.

How to set up Nest Airwave and check status

Setting up Nest Airwave is straightforward, thanks to the intuitive design of Nest thermostats:

1. Access your Nest thermostat's menu.
   
   
2. Navigate to the "Settings" option.
   
   
3. Look for the "Airwave" feature and ensure it's turned on.

To check Airwave status, turn on your Nest thermostat’s display and look for the Airwave swirl symbol. This indicates Airwave is up and running, efficiently managing your home’s cooling.

If you encounter issues with Airwave, there are  some simple fixes available. Ensure your thermostat’s software is up to date, check if the Airwave feature is enabled in settings and restart your thermostat to refresh its system.

Control at your fingertips

One of the most appealing aspects of Nest Airwave is its seamless integration with the Nest smartphone app and the Google Home app. These interfaces allow users to monitor and adjust their home's temperature from anywhere, providing unparalleled convenience and control. Whether you're on the couch or miles away, managing your home's climate has never been easier or more intuitive.

How much energy can Airwave save you?

The potential energy savings from Nest Airwave makes it a smart-thermostat feature worth exploring. While the savings potential varies based on climate, home size and cooling habits, noticeable reductions in energy bills can be achieved.

As a Reliant customer, you can also earn a bill credit and boost your efficiency when you sign up for our Degrees of Difference with Smart Thermostats program. During a Degrees of Difference event, your smart thermostat will automatically adjust to help you reduce your usage without you ever needing to lift a finger. 

Airwave offers real-world benefits      

• Energy savings ─ By optimizing the use of your AC's compressor and blower, Airwave significantly reduces energy consumption, contributing to a greener planet.
  
  
• Cost reduction ─ Lower energy usage can translate to reduced utility bills, offering the potential for financial savings over time.
  
  
• Comfort enhancement ─ Despite using less energy, comfort levels are maintained or even enhanced, thanks to intelligent temperature management.

Google, Google Nest, Google Nest Hub, Google Nest Learning Thermostat, Nest Airwave are trademarks of Google LLC.