The quickest way to adjust your Nest thermostat
You can change your Nest thermostat's temperature in seconds by turning the outer ring clockwise to raise it or counterclockwise to lower it. The display shows the target temperature as you turn. Press the ring inward to confirm the new setting, and the thermostat will begin heating or cooling to reach that temperature.
If you want to change other settings—like switching between heating and cooling mode, adjusting the schedule, or turning off the system entirely—you'll use the same ring to navigate a menu on the display. The process is straightforward once you know where each setting lives.
Key Takeaways
- Turn the outer ring to adjust temperature; press inward to confirm the change.
- Access other settings by pressing the ring to open the menu, then turn to navigate and press to select.
- The Nest app on your phone lets you change temperature and settings from anywhere, even when you're away from home.
- Switching between heating, cooling, and off modes is done through the menu on the thermostat itself or through the app.
- Changes take effect when ready; the thermostat will start working toward your new target temperature right away.
Changing temperature on the display itself
The physical thermostat is the fastest way to make a quick adjustment. Locate the outer ring—the part that rotates—and turn it in the direction you want. Turning it clockwise raises the temperature; counterclockwise lowers it. You'll see the new target temperature appear on the display as you turn.
Once you've reached the temperature you want, press the ring inward (toward the center of the thermostat). The display will confirm the change, and your Nest will begin heating or cooling to reach that new target. There's no delay—the system responds when ready.
Using the menu to change modes and schedules
To access settings beyond temperature, press the outer ring inward without turning it. This opens the main menu on the display. You'll see options like Heat, Cool, Heat•Cool (both heating and cooling), and Off. Turn the ring to highlight the mode you want, then press inward to select it.
From the menu, you can also reach your schedule settings, which control when the thermostat automatically adjusts temperature on its own. Turn the ring to find "Schedule," press inward, and you'll see the days of the week. Select the day you want to edit, and you can set different target temperatures for different times of that day. This is useful if you want the house cooler at night or warmer during work hours.
Other menu options include "Eco Temperature" (a lower heating target or higher cooling target to save energy when nobody's home), "Nest Sense" (which learns your patterns), and "Safety Temperatures" (which prevent the house from getting too cold in winter). Most people leave these at defaults, but they're there if you want to customize them.
Changing settings through the Nest app
The Nest app on your phone or tablet gives you the same control as the thermostat itself, plus the ability to change things from anywhere. Open the app, select your thermostat, and you'll see a large circle showing the current temperature. Tap and drag on that circle to set a new target temperature, or tap the up and down arrows for smaller adjustments.
To switch modes, look for buttons labeled Heat, Cool, Heat•Cool, or Off. Tap the one you want. To edit your schedule, look for a "Schedule" option in the app menu. You can set different temperatures for different times and days, and the app will show you when each change takes effect.
The app also shows you how long the system has been running, how much energy you're using, and whether your Nest is in Eco mode. If you have multiple thermostats in your home, the app lets you switch between them easily.
Switching between heating and cooling mode
Nest thermostats come in different versions. Some control only heating, some only cooling, and some control both. If your Nest controls both, you can switch between Heat mode (for winter), Cool mode (for summer), and Heat•Cool mode (which heats if the temperature drops below your target and cools if it rises above it).
To change modes on the thermostat, press the ring to open the menu, turn to find the mode you want, and press inward to select it. On the app, tap the mode buttons at the top of the screen. Heat•Cool mode is useful during spring and fall when you might need both heating and cooling on the same day, but it uses more energy than picking one mode.
If your Nest controls only heating or only cooling, you won't see mode options—the thermostat is already set to do one job. In that case, you can only turn the system on or off.
What happens when you change the temperature
When you raise or lower the target temperature, your Nest when ready tells your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump to start working toward that new number. If you raise the temperature in winter, the heating system kicks on (if it wasn't already running). If you lower it in summer, the air conditioning turns on.
The thermostat displays a small flame icon when heating and a snowflake icon when cooling, so you can see which system is active. It may take several minutes for the actual room temperature to reach your target, depending on how far away it is and how powerful your heating or cooling system is.
If you change the temperature and then change it again within a few minutes, the thermostat cancels the first command and works toward the new target instead. There's no penalty for adjusting multiple times—the system is designed to handle it.
Turning the thermostat off
To turn off your Nest entirely, press the ring to open the menu, turn to find "Off," and press inward to select it. The display will show "Off" and your heating and cooling systems will stop running. This is useful if you're leaving for an extended period or if you want to rely on a window unit or portable heater instead.
When the thermostat is off, it still displays the current room temperature, but it won't heat or cool. If the temperature drops dangerously low in winter, some Nest models have a safety feature that turns heating back on automatically to prevent frozen pipes, but this varies by model. Check your thermostat's manual if you're concerned about this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the temperature from my phone if I'm away from home?
Yes. The Nest app works over the internet, so you can adjust your thermostat from anywhere as long as your Nest is connected to Wi-Fi and you're signed into your Google account. This is useful if you're on vacation and want to lower the temperature to save energy, or if you're coming home early and want to warm up the house before you arrive.
What's the difference between Heat•Cool mode and just picking Heat or Cool?
Heat•Cool mode lets the thermostat switch between heating and cooling automatically based on the target temperature you set. If the room gets colder than your target, it heats. If it gets warmer, it cools. Picking one mode means only that system will run. Heat•Cool uses more energy but is convenient during seasons when you might need both.
Why isn't my thermostat responding when I turn the ring?
The display may be in sleep mode. Tap the ring or wave your hand in front of the thermostat to wake it up. If it still doesn't respond, check that it's powered on—look for a light on the display. If the display is completely dark, the thermostat may have lost power. Check the breaker for your heating or cooling system, or consult your system's manual.
Does changing the temperature use more energy?
Raising the temperature in winter or lowering it in summer reduces energy use because your system doesn't have to work as hard. Lowering the temperature in winter or raising it in summer increases energy use. The bigger the change from your normal setting, the more energy the system uses to reach that new target.
Can I set different temperatures for different rooms?
A single Nest thermostat controls the temperature for your whole house or zone, not individual rooms. If you want different temperatures in different areas, you would need multiple thermostats controlling separate heating and cooling systems. Some homes have dampers in the ductwork that can redirect air, but those are controlled separately from the thermostat.