The Google Nest team has unveiled a series of enhancements to the Google Home app, introducing much-anticipated hot water controls that were previously confined to the older Nest app. This new functionality allows users to manage their hot water systems with greater ease, enabling them to set schedules for heating water, adjust temperatures, and quickly boost hot water for specific time periods, as well as manually switch it on and off.
New Features for UK and EU Users
These hot water controls are currently available exclusively to users in the UK and Europe, where Nest thermostats often integrate with home heating and hot water systems. The rollout includes full hot water controls for the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen UK/EU and the Nest Thermostat E. Users can expect the following features:
- Hot water boost: This feature allows users to quickly increase hot water supply for On/Off boilers connected to the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen UK/EU.
- Hot water scheduling: Users can now set schedules for heating water, also applicable to On/Off boilers connected to the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen UK/EU.
- Heat Link temperature control: Users can adjust the temperature settings for the Nest Thermostat E and manage hot water temperature for OpenTherm2 combi boilers connected to the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen UK/EU or Nest Thermostat E.
- Eco button: An easy-access Eco button is now available, allowing users to quickly start and stop Eco mode on both the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen and Nest Thermostat E.
In addition to these thermostat improvements, Google is expanding controls in the Google Home app for non-thermostat climate devices, offering users a suite of new features:
- Expanded controls: Users can now manage smart heaters, mini-splits, and window air conditioners linked via Matter and Works With Google Home partners.
- Outdoor weather and air quality: The ability to pin outdoor weather and air quality information to the Favorites tab provides valuable context for home environments.
- Outdoor temperature visibility: Users can now see the outdoor temperature within thermostat controls, aiding in more informed adjustments.
- Simplified settings: The thermostat settings have been streamlined to make it easier for users to find and adjust frequently used controls.
- Bug fixes: Recent updates have resolved issues that caused thermostat controls to appear erratic after temperature adjustments.
Furthermore, Google has recently implemented full temperature scheduling for older Nest thermostats within the Google Home app, effectively addressing one of the last barriers that kept many users reliant on the previous Nest app.
