Smart thermostats are gaining in popularity as more and more homeowners look for ways to cut down on their energy bills. These accessories can be programmed to automatically adjust the temperature inside your home in line with your regular schedule. They also have the capability to learn any preferences over time. Subsequently, you can save money on your energy bills by making sure that your HVAC system is only on when you need it.
Google’s smart thermostat is the Nest, and plenty of homeowners are content with its features and overall efficiency. But one feature–the Seasonal Savings program–might be stirring up trouble rather than helping your HVAC system. Frequent issues are forcing homeowners to figure out how to switch off this feature. We’ll share the problems some people are having with Seasonal Savings and offer instructions for how to opt out of the program.
Many Homeowners Allege the Seasonal Savings Program Isn’t Working Correctly
Google developed the Seasonal Savings program to help homeowners improve their energy efficiency. Around maximum HVAC use in the summer and winter, it should automatically adjust the thermostat to match your preferences with energy efficiency. The program is supposed to run without interrupting your sense of comfort, setting up the biggest changes when you’re away or sleeping. However, this isn’t the case for lots of people enrolled in the program.
Alternatively, there are accounts that the program is inconsistent and difficult to use. Homeowners are complaining that the program is really increasing their energy bills instead of reducing them. And when they decide to disable or opt out of Seasonal Savings, they’ve discovered the way to do so is tough to find or downright absent. In many cases people have even noticed it being switched back on after it was disabled.
Smart thermostats are expected to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system. While automatic temperature corrections are a widespread feature in smart thermostats, it shouldn’t overrule your preferred settings. If a Nest refuses to accommodate your comfort preferences, opting out of the Seasonal Savings feature is the best move.
But First, Why Is This Going On?
Homeowners are claiming that the Seasonal Savings setting was running on their Nest thermostat without their authorization. Why can a smart thermostat you operate ignore your settings and enroll in the program? It could be because of an energy-efficiency program you registered for with your utility company.
These agreements help you enhance your home’s energy efficiency. They may come with rebates on new accessories or special offers for renewable energy systems. But most people are shocked to find out they also allow your utility company remote access to the thermostat. If the power grid is struggling with a heavy load, the utility company can override your thermostat and turn up the temperature. You could be having trouble with the Seasonal Savings program because a utility company is utilizing this remote access.
But what if the feature is malfunctioning or just disregarding your preferences? Whatever the reason may be, you don’t want a feature to double your energy use without your approval. We’ll take you step-by-step through how other users have switched off the Seasonal Savings program.
How to Disable Your Nest Thermostat’s Seasonal Savings Feature
A number of people have documented trouble opting out of the Seasonal Savings feature. While the location of this setting may be different based on your specific Nest model, other users are alarmed that Google is deliberately making it harder to turn off Seasonal Savings. To make sure you can opt out no matter what, we’ll list the ways other users have found success.
- Overriding Seasonal Savings: Manually adjusting the temperature should override the Seasonal Savings program, but many users have observed this isn’t what's happening. If you note your Nest constantly undoing your changes, you’ll probably want to shut off the feature entirely.
- Disabling the feature from the Nest app: Your phone or tablet’s Nest app should have a History option and a Settings option. Google points users to their History to disable Seasonal Savings, but other people have found this option within Settings. Once disabled, the feature is temporarily off until the next summer or winter.
- Shutting off the program from the Nest thermostat: Your thermostat should also display a History option where you can opt out of Seasonal Savings, but many homeowners report the disable option is missing.
- Opting out before the program starts: The Seasonal Savings program is only available during summer and winter. Your smart device will receive a notification when the program is about to launch, allowing you the time to opt out.
When Seasonal Savings is running, your Nest is supposed to show a small yellow symbol of a leaf. If a Nest is having issues and the Seasonal Savings icon is missing, your issue may be with a different setting entirely.
Sometimes the Issue Isn’t Seasonal Savings but a Different Setting or Program
Other settings on Nest smart thermostats besides Seasonal Savings can result in unwanted temperature changes. If these options are active during Seasonal Savings, even shutting off the program may not prevent the thermostat from making alterations. Thankfully, these settings can be disabled. You’ll also have options if the headache is a third party like a power company.
- Switching off Auto-Schedule: The Nest Thermostat E and Nest Learning Thermostat both offer the Auto-Schedule feature, using their ability to study your preferences to define the ideal schedule. Going into Settings and shutting off Auto-Schedule should prevent other automatic controls including Seasonal Savings.
- Disabling auto switching: Nest thermostats will still switch to eco temperatures if you possess an auto-switching feature like Home & Away Routines or Home/Away Assist. These settings automatically adjust the temperature when the thermostat detects that everyone is out of the house.
- Opting out of the utility company’s energy agreement: Since your energy provider may be remotely controlling a Nest thermostat, nullifying the agreement should remove remote access. You can locate the full details of these agreements through your energy provider.
- Calling Google support: If nothing else works, calling Google’s technical support may be of service. Staff can direct you to resetting the Nest or determining the appropriate setting to turn off Seasonal Savings.
If the Problem Persists, Your Thermostat Could Be Faulty
There’s always the possibility the Nest smart thermostat is just malfunctioning. Electrical damage or software bugs can trigger all types of issues, including an inconsistent Seasonal Savings program. If you think the problem is isolated to your personal thermostat, a skilled technician will be able to help. After all, smart thermostats remain a beneficial investment for your home’s energy efficiency.
If you prefer local service for your smart thermostat in Indianapolis, get in touch with the comfort professionals at Broad Ripple Service Experts. They can help you figure out the easiest way to disable a stubborn Seasonal Savings program on your Nest thermostat.