This Spendy Thermostat Is Paying for Itself by Cutting My Energy Bills, and It's 22% Off for Prime Day
CNET's key takeaways
$280 for a smart thermostat may sound like a tough deal, but mine is set to pay for itself this summer thanks to lower heating and cooling payments.
Automated Eco Modes make energy saving easy, even if you don't have time to plan out your schedule.
Local utility rebates may also help make the thermostat more affordable.
My Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 4 is astonishingly beautiful -- I've had people stop in my hallway just to look at the shifting rain and sunset animations. But that beauty, and all the smart features inside, is pricey: Normally priced at $280, it's one of the most expensive smart thermostats I recommend.
So why take the plunge? Because Nest's Eco modes are so effective, my Nest smart thermostat is set to pay for itself this summer through electricity savings -- and I barely had to do anything except set it up. Here's how it all works, and why I'm glad I kept this Nest smart thermostat around.
Read more: One Tiny Gadget Is the Unsung Hero of Today's Smart, Energy-Saving Home
My experience with the Nest Learning Thermostat 4th-gen
A Nest Thermostat showing lightning.
Google Nest
With a larger dial than ever, the Nest Learning Thermostat 4 is well-suited to showing off, both aesthetically and with data-backed insights on indoor and outdoor temperatures, humidity and more. My favorite customization is putting the outside weather at the forefront of the display, which shows moving weather graphics that capture the current state of the skies, from falling snow to twinkling stars.
Google's research indicates people save around 10% to 15% on their energy bills with a smart thermostat, which works out to an average savings of $132 to $145 per year.
Nest's reports help you chart savings and troubleshoot energy problems.
Tyler Lacoma/CNET
Those numbers reflected my results fairly well. From early fall to the colder winter months, I saved around $10 to $15 per month with Nest's tweaks and by balancing my electricity usage with less costly natural gas heating. As the months warm up that number is growing higher, and I expect to save around $20 per month in the summer heat -- enough to pay for my thermostat sometime this year. After that, it's all gravy.
Smarts behind a pretty face
Nest Thermostat 4th-gen showing app controls, sensor settings and more.
Tyler Lacoma/CNET
Given permission, the thermostat learns my habits and adjusts heating and cooling levels in response.
Auto-Eco mode, for example, will turn the thermostat down automatically if it senses there's no activity in the house, which saves more money. Adaptive Eco will take care of the details for me, while Eco Hold will stick to a money-saving temperature that I choose manually. The Auto-Scheduling function does something similar, since it learns how I adjust the thermostat throughout the day and mimics my comfort preferences over time so I don't have to keep tweaking the settings.
Google Home makes it easy to apply weekly schedules in moments.
Tyler Lacoma/CNET
Adjust the temperature manually at any time and when you see the green leaf icon appear, you'll know you're in savings mode. That makes it easy to adjust on the fly when the temperature feels about right, but you'd like to squeeze more savings out of the thermostat.
Nest's Eco Modes also generate reports so I can see monthly progress and note any sudden problems or unexpected energy use. If there's a strange jump in energy use, the scheduling may be off, or you may be using electricity-hungry devices too much (my space heater and I are guilty of this). There's also a gamified "leafs" competition against other users that I don't care much about, but it's there for those interested.
Satellite sensors and other ways to save
Thermostat satellite sensors are one of the best inventions for home heating.
Tyler Lacoma/CNET
My Nest model also came with a satellite sensor, a little white puck that wirelessly transmits the temperature where it's placed to the thermostat. I can tell the Nest Learning Thermostat 4 to turn on or off based on its own built-in readings, on the readings of the satellite sensor, or a combination of both.
Sensors like these help thermostats be more accurate based on where you actually spend time. For example, if I'm going to be spending the evening in a movie session at my TV or computer, I can bring the sensor along and when those heat-exhaling electronics heat up my personal space, the thermostat will take that as a sign to shut off early.
The Nest thermostat smart home integrations are very limited, but that does make it easier to set up.
Tyler Lacoma/CNET
Then there are the peak hours programs, under names like Peak Perks, Rush Hour Rewards, Nest Renew from Google and other labels that indicate a partnership with utility companies. If your local utility supports these programs, you can join up and your Nest thermostat will make additional small changes throughout the day, avoiding the often-pricier peak hour energy use when possible.
You give up some control of your thermostat with programs like these, which may displease some users, but it does enable you to save more. Many energy providers will also offer bonuses or rebates you can use to recoup the cost of an expensive thermostat even faster.
A quick note about setup: If you're worried about installing the thermostat in your home, there's not much to fear from the process. I have a full guide here, but as long as you practice electrical safety and snap a picture of your current thermostat wiring, setting up the Nest Thermostat Gen 4 and getting it connected to Wi-Fi shouldn't be a problem, especially with Google Home app walkthroughs.
The specs for the Nest Learning Thermostat 4th-gen
Diameter: 3.9 in (98 mm)
Depth: 1.1 in (29 mm)
Weight: 5.7 oz (161.8 g)
Display: 2.7 inch (68 mm) diameter circular liquid crystal display (600 x 600 pixels)
Sensors: Soli sensor for Motion Sense, Temperature, Humidity, Ambient light
Power consumption: Less than 1 kWh/month
Power source: HVAC system wiring
C (common) Wire: Not required
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11n (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)
HVAC system compatibility (Check your Nest compatibility here): Most 24V systems, including gas, electric, oil, forced air, heat pump, and radiant. It can control: Heating 1, 2, and 3 stages (W1, W2, W3); Cooling 1 and 2 stages (Y1, Y2); Heat pump with auxiliary and emergency heat (O/B, AUX, E); Fan (G, G2, G3); Power (C, RH, RC); Humidifier and dehumidifier (HUM, DEHUM); Ventilation (VENT).
Smart home: Works with Google Home and Matter
Warranty: 2-year standard for retail, 5-year standard for HVAC Pros
Certifications: Energy Star-certified
CNET's buying advice
Nest's thermostat is one of the best high-end models I've seen.
Tyler Lacoma/CNET
It turns out a $280 smart thermostat isn't such a tough sell when I can see how mine will pay for itself in just about a year. It offers a plethora of energy-saving modes that users can pick from to rack up monthly savings -- most of them automated without requiring tinkering or calculators. I've even seen it available with rebates and free installation to speed up that payoff date.
While Nest's circular thermostats have always had a flair for the dramatic, the Gen-4 model blows away the competition with a larger design that makes the most of its beautiful LED lighting and presence sensing to light up whenever someone walks past. The bright green leaf icon always shows instant savings for those who don't want to dive too deep into app management. Those who do want to explore the app will find settings for seasons, learning behaviors, weekly schedules and lots more.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
7 credit score myths you should stop believing
If you've ever learned anything about credit scores from a friend, a family member, or social media, I'm sorry to tell you this, but you may have some unlearning to do. In my past role as an NFCC-certified credit counselor and my cumulative 12 years working as a financial educator, I've heard some bizarre myths and rumors about credit scores, a few of which are really popular. Sure, myths can be fun. But when it comes to credit scores, they have major consequences. Some of the most commonly held myths can leave you with perpetually low credit scores and make it hard for you to qualify for mortgages or credit cards. Here are the most common and harmful credit myths I've come across, and the truth you need to know about each one. This embedded content is not available in your region. Top credit score myths debunked 1. Checking your credit reports lowers your scores When I encourage people to pull their credit reports, I tend to hear the same response: "Won't that hurt my credit scores?" The answer is a firm "no!" The truth is, pulling your own credit reports does not hurt your credit scores at all. In fact, if you don't pull and review your reports, you may never be able to build good credit. That's because reviewing your reports helps you with all of the following: Finding out what's in your credit file Discovering what needs to be improved Finding and disputing credit report errors Catching signs of identity theft You can pull your credit reports for free once a week at 2. You need to carry a balance to build good credit I wish I had a dollar for every time someone told me that carrying a 30% credit card balance (that's a balance equal to 30% of your card limit) helps you build good credit scores. The reality is that the lower your credit card balance is, the better for both your credit scores and your wallet. When you have low balances, you reduce your credit utilization ratio (the amount of credit you're using compared to your total available balance). The lower your credit utilization, the better it is for your credit scores because you're showing lenders that you don't need credit cards to cover your expenses. Additionally, if you pay off your full credit card balance by the monthly due date — which I highly recommend — you can avoid high interest charges. 3. I don't need to worry about my credit until I want a loan In my credit counseling days, I often got calls from people who wanted help fixing their credit ASAP. Often, it was because they had just submitted an application for a car loan, or made an offer on a new home. Unfortunately, I had to let them know that it usually takes months, and sometimes years, to clean up credit mistakes and build good credit. For example, even if you pay off your credit card today, it can take a month or more for the $0 balance to show up on your credit reports and be factored into your credit scores. And if you want to build good credit scores, it can take months or even years, depending on the condition your credit is in now. 4. Paying off collection debt helps your credit scores I receive several emails a month from people who are desperate to remove old collection accounts from their credit reports. The reason? They want to improve their credit scores — fast. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that paying off a collection account will improve your credit scores. Here are a few credit score facts to keep in mind before you consider sending money to a debt collector: Medical collection debt under $500 has no impact on your credit scores. Paying off a collection account does not remove the account from your credit reports. Most credit score calculations do not make a distinction between paid and unpaid collections. That said, depending on the type of debt, you may want to pay off collection accounts anyway. It can stop debt collectors from contacting you or even taking legal action against you. However, if the debt is old and close to falling off your report (typically seven years from the original delinquency), paying may reset the clock on the debt. So, if you're unsure about how to handle a debt in collections, it's a good idea to reach out to an accredited credit counselor for guidance. 5. Disputing accurate information will improve your credit scores Most credit myths are a mix of truth and fiction, and this one is no different. Here's what's true: If you find an error in your credit reports, you have the right to file a dispute (for free) and get the information corrected or removed. But you do not have the right to get accurate information removed from your reports. Unfortunately, some people view the dispute process as an invitation to try and remove any negative information, even if it's accurate. In fact, there are credit repair companies that charge money to dispute correct information on your behalf. If you do dispute correct information, there's a chance it will be removed from your reports while the credit bureau investigates your claim. But once they confirm that it's accurate, the information will reappear on your reports. 6. A good credit score means you're rich Wealth doesn't impact your credit scores, at least not directly. Yes, your income level can impact how much money you borrow, whether you're able to repay loans and credit cards, and other behaviors that affect your credit. However, your income is not a factor in determining your credit scores. In fact, even if you're considered rich, but you don't pay your debt on time, you will have poor credit scores. 7. Bad credit history follows you forever As a credit counselor, I spoke to many people who believed that a bankruptcy or foreclosure from the '80s or '90s was still damaging their credit. While events such as bankruptcy, foreclosure, and repossession will cause severe damage to your credit scores, the damage only follows you for a limited time. Here's a breakdown of the timelines: 7 years: Missed debt payments (at least 30 days late), vehicle repossession, home foreclosure, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. 10 years: Chapter 7 bankruptcy and positive credit information As negative information gets older, it has less of an impact on your credit scores. Once it's removed, it has no impact at all. Up Next Up Next
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why Shiba Inu Is Surging Today
Key Points Cryptocurrencies largely advanced after the U.S. House of Representatives passed several crypto bills last week. The crypto rally is broadening out to altcoins. 10 stocks we like better than Shiba Inu › Since the market closed on Friday, the price of Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) had traded 7.6% higher as of 10:15 a.m. ET today. There's no obvious reason behind the move, although the crypto sector largely moved higher this weekend due to several events. President Trump signs stablecoin bill into law President Donald Trump signed the Genius Act into law after the market closed on Friday. The Genius Act was one of three bills passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week during so-called Crypto Week, and will look to create a framework for stablecoins, which are digital assets pegged to a commodity or currency. Investors likely believe that the three bills passed last week could create a regulatory environment that better positions crypto for the long term. In other crypto news, Trump Media & Technology Group announced today that it had purchased $2 billion of Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency. The crypto custodian firm BitGo also reportedly filed for an initial public offering, as momentum in the crypto sector is leading start-ups to consider going public. Additionally, the crypto rally seems to be broadening. Much of it had been dominated by Bitcoin and a few other cryptocurrencies for most of the year. But the new crypto legislation has lit a spark under cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, which seems to be benefiting from the stablecoin legislation because some of the largest stablecoins are issued on Ethereum's network. Shiba Inu was launched on top of Ethereum's network as an ERC-20 token, although has since built a layer-2 solution to conduct off-chain transactions. Shiba Inu often moves for no apparent reason It's not uncommon to see Shiba Inu move with the sector, although often with more volatility. While the token has advanced since launching in 2020, particularly with its layer-2 solution Shibarium, I still view it largely as a meme token and therefore advise investors to stay away. Should you buy stock in Shiba Inu right now? Before you buy stock in Shiba Inu, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Shiba Inu wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $652,133!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,056,790!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,048% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Bram Berkowitz has positions in Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Shiba Inu Is Surging Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why Permian Resources (PR) is a Good Investment for Dividend Income
Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR) is included among the 12 Best Oil and Gas Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. A row of massive oil rigs in a desert landscape, against a setting sun. The strategic advantage of Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR) lies in its low breakeven cost of $40 per barrel, which allows the company to remain profitable and pay dividends even during periods of commodity price volatility. The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share in May and boasts an annual dividend yield of 4.85% as of the writing of this piece. In Q1 2025, Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR) reported the highest free cash flow per share in the company's history at $0.54 per share, driven by lower per-unit cost and solid production performance. These numbers are expected to receive a boost as the oil and gas producer recently completed the acquisition of Delaware Basin leasehold and royalty interests from APA Corporation, adding approximately 12,000 Boe a day, 13,320 net acres, and 8,700 net royalty acres to its portfolio. Moreover, these acquired locations have a breakeven price of as low as $30 per barrel, allowing Permian resources to generate in excess of 5% free cash flow per share accretion in the near-term, midterm, and long-term. Artisan Partners stated the following regarding Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR) in its Q1 2025 investor letter: 'We made one new purchase this quarter, adding Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR), an independent oil and gas company. PR is focused solely on the Delaware Basin of West Texas and southwestern New Mexico—the most prolific oil-producing region in the US. The founders and co CEOs, who also have large ownership interests in the business, have sought to build a business that can produce substantial free cash flow, return capital to shareholders and generate attractive equity returns across varied commodities price environments. To achieve these goals, PR has pursued best-in-class operations and responsible capital stewardship by thoughtfully acquiring assets it believes are undervalued and divesting acreage it believes would be better in someone else's hands, while meaningfully returning capital to shareholders in the form of dividends. We always seek to align ourselves with shareholder-oriented management teams, but this is even more critical when investing in mid-sized energy companies given their dependence on the underlying commodity prices and minimal diversification by business and geography as well as the sector's general predilection for reinvesting capital for growth rather than returns. Shares were rangebound for much of 2024 as macro fears have weighed on oil prices and energy sector stocks, giving us an opportunity to purchase a strong operator at a favorable price.' Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR) is an independent oil and natural gas company with operations focused in the Permian Basin, with assets concentrated in the core of the Delaware Basin. While we acknowledge the potential of PR as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Best Nuclear Energy Stocks to Buy Right Now and The 5 Energy Stocks Billionaires are Quietly Piling Into. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
