Learn about Nest thermostat settings and how to change them
You can change the behavior of your Google Nest thermostat from the Settings menu. You’ll be able to choose what is displayed on your thermostat like the current temperature or the weather, switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius, reset your schedule or all settings, and more.
You can change options in the Settings 
|
To open the Settings menu:
Your Nest thermostat will show you different options in your settings menu based on the type of system you have and the wires that you have attached. You’ll only see options that work with your system. |
 |
Note: If you have a Nest Learning Thermostat, you'll find the thermostat schedule 
If you have a Nest Thermostat E, you'll find the schedule under Settings 
If you don’t see an option on your thermostat, your system doesn’t support it. If you’re missing an option you think you should have, check your wiring and system type in the Settings
Nest thermostat settings
You’ll notice some settings are easy to change and we’ve provided step-by-step instructions here. For more complex settings, we’ve provided links to detailed instructions.
Here's what to expect for each option in the Settings menu:
Schedule (Nest Thermostat E)
Note: If you have a Nest Learning Thermostat, you'll find the thermostat schedule
Depending on the type of system you have, you can set up to 3 different schedules for Heat, Cool, and Heat•Cool. If you have a fan installed, you can also set a separate fan schedule.
Before you adjust your schedule, make sure you've selected the correct mode 
Select Schedule to see the temperature schedule for the mode that your thermostat is currently set to. You can set a new schedule or edit your current one.
You can also view and set your thermostat's schedule in the Nest app.
Learn about Nest thermostat temperature schedules and how to change them
History (Nest Thermostat E)
Note: If you have a Nest Learning Thermostat, you'll find Energy History 
Energy History shows you how often, and for how long, your heating and cooling system was on.
Home/Away Assist
Home/Away Assist can use your Eco Temperatures to help save energy while no one’s home.
Eco
Your Nest thermostat will automatically switch to Eco Temperatures after it senses that nobody’s home if you’ve enabled Home/Away Assist to help save you energy.
In the Eco menu, the heating and cooling temperatures you set here will be used when you’re away.
Safety Temp
Safety Temperatures can prevent your home from going above or below certain temperatures when the set limits are reached. You’ll see options to adjust your Safety Temperatures here.
Sensor Schedule
If you have Google Nest Temperature Sensors added to your account, you can adjust your schedule here. To adjust other settings, you'll need to use the Nest app.
Learn about the Nest Temperature Sensor and how to change settings >
Fan Schedule
You can select Fan Schedule to have your fan come on every day to circulate air in your home.
Note: You'll only see the Fan option if you have a G-wire installed on your thermostat.
How to control your fan and set a schedule with the Nest thermostat >
Nest Sense
Nest Sense is a combination of sensors and algorithms that help your thermostat learn about you and your home.
Depending on your system type, you may not see all of the below Nest Sense options. Click an option below to learn how to change its settings.
- Auto-Schedule: When you first set up your thermostat, it will learn your temperature habits and automatically create a schedule.
- Time-to-Temperature: You can't change this setting. Time-to-Temperature displays how long it will take for your home to reach the temperature that you’ve chosen. If your home is too hot or too cold, it will take more time to reach your desired temperature.
- Early-On: When this is enabled, your thermostat automatically calculates when to turn on heating or cooling so your home will reach a scheduled temperature on time.
Note: If you have either auxiliary heat or a radiant system, the Heat Pump Balance or True Radiant options will control preheating. Early-On will control precooling if you have a cooling system installed. - Heat Pump Balance: For homes with a heat pump and auxiliary heat, you’ll see this option in addition to Early-On. When this is enabled, your thermostat automatically preheats your home so it will reach your scheduled temperature on time.
- True Radiant: If you have a radiant system, you’ll see this option in addition to Early-On. When this is enabled, your thermostat automatically preheats your home so it will reach your scheduled temperature on time.
- Cool to Dry: When this is on, your thermostat can use your air conditioner or heat pump to help reduce excessive humidity in your home.
- Sunblock: You can turn this on if your thermostat is frequently in direct sunlight throughout the day. It helps adjust to a more accurate temperature when it’s in direct light.
- Leaf: You can’t change this setting. The Nest Leaf appears on the display or in the Nest app when you choose an energy-saving temperature.
- Airwave: Airwave is for systems with air conditioning. If you have this setting on, the thermostat will automatically turn on Airwave when interior humidity falls below a certain level.
Follow the link below for more details on each feature:
Reminders
Changing air filters is a simple way to save energy. Turn this setting on if you’d like your Nest thermostat to remind you to change your air filter.
Nest Protect
Display or Wake Display
Note: This option works a little differently based on which Nest thermostat you have
If you have a 3rd gen Nest Learning Thermostat, you can enable or disable Farsight in the Display menu. Farsight can display information on your thermostat screen when it notices you enter a room. You can choose what to display:
- Target temperature
- Current temperature
- Analog clock
- Digital clock
- Weather
If you don’t want to use Farsight or have a 1st or 2nd gen Nest Learning Thermostat, you can choose when you’d like your thermostat screen to wake up. Choose either Wake on approach (When you approach) or Wake on press (When you press).
How your Nest thermostat decides when to turn on the screen >
On the Nest Thermostat E, press the ring to choose to wake the display When you pass byor When you press.
Brightness
Press the ring to adjust the brightness of your Nest thermostat’s display. You can select low, medium, high, or auto.
If you have a Nest Thermostat E, brightness is adjusted automatically.
Click Sound
You can have your Nest thermostat make a clicking sound when you turn the ring.
Press the ring to turn the clicking sound on or off.
ºF / ºC
Date & Time
In the Date & Time menu, you can set your Nest thermostat’s clock to show you the time in a 12 hour or 24 hour format.
When connected to the Nest app and Wi-Fi, your thermostat automatically sets the date and time based on your location. It will also automatically adjust for Daylight Saving Time based on your time zone.
If the time is incorrect, select Location in the Settings
Note: If your thermostat isn't connected to Wi-Fi, you'll be able to set the date and time manually. You can only manually set the date and time if your thermostat isn't connected to Wi-Fi.
Language
The current language you chose during setup is shown here. If you want, you can choose a different language from the list below.
- German/Deutsch
- English (US)
- English (UK)
- Spanish/Español (ES)
- Spanish/Español (MX)
- French/Français (CA)
- French/Français (FR)
- Italian/Italiano
- Dutch/Nederlands
If new languages become available, they will be automatically installed during a thermostat software update.
How to change the language of your Nest thermostat
- Press the ring to go to the Language menu.
- Turn the ring to the language you prefer, and press the ring.
- Confirm your choice by pressing the ring again or select cancel if you change your mind.
Your Nest thermostat will immediately switch to the new language you’ve selected.
Note: Changing the language on your thermostat won’t change the Nest app language. To change the app language, you will need to change your phone’s language.
If you need help, follow the manual that came with your phone, visit your phone manufacturer’s support website, or contact your service provider.
Nest app
If your Nest thermostat is connected to the Nest app, you’ll see the Nest home owner’s email address here.
If you want to connect your thermostat to the Nest app, follow the link below.
Location
The Location menu displays the current location of your home. If it’s not correct, you can change your location here. If your thermostat is connected to the Nest app and connected to Wi-Fi, it will use your location to gather local date, time, and weather information.
Note: Your location needs to be set correctly for your time to be adjusted automatically.
You can also choose the Construction of your home. Your Nest thermostat will work differently if it's in a small home or a business.
Network
If your thermostat is already connected to Wi-Fi, you can see which Wi-Fi network it’s connected to here. If your thermostat isn’t connected, you can view or select your Wi-Fi network, and enter its password if needed.
Follow this link if you’re having trouble connecting to your Wi-Fi network.
Troubleshooting adding a Nest thermostat to a Wi-Fi network >
Lock
You can use this option to lock your thermostat so it can only be adjusted within a certain temperature range, or to prevent anyone from changing your settings on your thermostat.
Placement
From the Placement menu, you can choose the location of your Nest thermostat in your home. Select a room name, or choose Add custom to enter a custom room name.
You can also add an optional label to help you identify your thermostat. If you set a label, you’ll see it below the thermostat icon on the Nest app home screen.
Equipment
Your Nest thermostat displays attached equipment here.
You’ll see options to change settings for this attached equipment based on the questions you answered during setup. The settings you see here will depend on the type of system you have. This may include:
Fuel Source and Heat Type
You can only change this setting from the Nest thermostat. Depending on your system, you’ll be asked to select your fuel source: gas, electric, oil, propane (LP), or geothermal. Then you can select a heat type: forced air, in-floor radiant, or radiators
Heat Pump
If you have an O or B wire, you can select which wire your heat pump uses.
Humidifier or Dehumidifier
If you have a humidifier or dehumidifier system, you’ll see this setting to adjust the humidity level and set a schedule.
Humidifier and dehumidifier systems can be noisy. So you may want to set a Quiet Time schedule during times when you don’t want the system to interrupt your sleep.
Note: Quiet Time will only affect humidification or dehumidification. It will not impact fans used during heating and cooling.
To set Quiet Time:
- If you haven't done so yet, select Set Humidity to see the Quiet Time option. Turn the ring to set the humidity level and press the ring to confirm.
- Select Humidifier or Dehumidifier again.
- Select Quiet Time.
- Enter the time frame that you don't want the humidifier/dehumidifier system to run.
- Select Quiet Time on.
- Select Done.
Note: In the Nest app, humidifier and dehumidifier are found in Settings
Wire Type
You might see the star connector listed here if you have certain types of equipment like a humidifier, dehumidifier, or multi-speed fan.
Important: No matter which thermostat you have, you can only put one wire into the star * connector, so only one function is supported at a time. Follow the link below for more information.
Learn about the Nest thermostat's star connector >
Pro Setup
The Pro Setup option should only be used by a professional installer. Be careful adjusting settings in this menu. Incorrect Pro settings can damage your system and your Nest thermostat. Follow the link below for more information.
Nest Pro
If there’s an issue with your thermostat or system after installation or your system needs servicing, select this option to view your Pro’s contact information. You can remove the information at any time.
How to view or remove Nest Pro contact information >
If your installer didn’t enter their information or you performed the installation yourself, you can always find a Nest Pro near you with our online Pro finder.
Your Nest Pro installer can store their contact information by entering their 6-digit Pro ID here.
Software
Here you’ll be able to check the current software version installed on your Nest thermostat and update it.
Press your thermostat's ring and select Settings
Note: You can check if you are on the latest version.
Technical Info
You’ll typically only need to view technical details when you’re troubleshooting issues with your thermostat.
You’ll find technical info on power and voltage, Wi-Fi network, sensors, and more.
Legal Info
This option lists legal disclosures for your Nest thermostat.
Reset
The Reset menu allows you to restart your thermostat, reset some settings like Auto-Schedule, Home/Away Assist, and Network, or reset all settings on your thermostat to factory defaults.