- Nest thermostats are compatible with many different types of heating systems, including boiler systems.
- Use our onlineCompatibility checkerto quickly check if your heating system can work with a Nest Learning Thermostat or Nest Thermostat E.
- A local pro installer will also be able to tell if your system is Nest compatible (and rewire it to be Nest compatible, if needed). They’ll also install and set up your thermostat and answer any questions that you may have.
- Go to the sections below for more details about specific systems and compatibility with Nest thermostats.
- To check for compatibility, you only need to know the type of heating system. The specific brand or model doesn’t matter. If you don't know what type of system you have, check your manufacturer’s website or contact them.
Systems that are Nest compatible
Nest thermostats have been designed to work with many different types of heating systems, including boiler systems. But there are a few key differences between models. The table below summarises them. To learn more about specific system-type compatibility, go to the sections below in this article.
System | Nest Thermostat E | 3rd-gen | 2nd-gen |
Domestic hot watertanks | ✔ | ||
OpenTherm-enabled heating systems | ✔ | ✔ | |
Combi boilers | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
System and heat-only boilers | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Air-source and ground-source heat pumps | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Biomass boilers | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
District and collective heating systems with accessible individual electric valves | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Hydronic underfloor systems | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Zoned systems | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
High-voltage (switched live) systems, low current (up to 3 A) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Volt-free (dry contacts) systems, low current (up to 3 A) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Electric heating controlled by fil pilote (Nest Pro installation required) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
OpenTherm boiler compatibility
Both the 3rd-gen Nest Thermostat and Nest Thermostat E support modulating boilers that are OpenTherm compatible. Modulating your heating system using a technology like OpenTherm delivers increased comfort and efficiency.
OpenTherm and what Nest thermostats can do with it
Condensing boiler compatibility
Nest thermostats work with condensing boilers that have standard On/Off control. The 3rd-generation Nest Thermostat also works with condensing boilers that support OpenTherm.
Proprietary condensing boilers typically only work with a thermostat from the same manufacturer. However, converters are available from some manufacturers that may let a proprietary boiler work with a Nest thermostat.
Most boilers sold today are high-efficiency condensing boilers. Condensing boilers are so efficient because they use the waste heat from the boiler’s flue gas to heat the water. As the water has already been pre-heated, the boiler needs less gas to get the water up to the right temperature. Condensing boilers are also efficient because they adapt the amount of fuel burned according to how much heating is needed.
District and collective heating compatibility
District or collective heating systems that are controlled by an accessible individual electric valve are compatible with Nest thermostats. However, you should contact a local pro installer and tell them that your flat is heated with collective or district heating; they can ask you additional questions to determine Nest compatibility before they schedule an installation appointment.
If you already have a thermostat in your flat, then it’s likely that you can have a Nest thermostat installed. In the Netherlands, district heating systems typically have thermostat control, so Nest thermostats are generally compatible there.
If you don’t have a thermostat to control your district heating, you may still be able to have a Nest thermostat installed if your heating valve is accessible to your installer. The installer must have access to the heating valve so that they can connect it to the Nest Heat Link, which is included with your thermostat.
If you have a gas or electric meter in your flat, the heating valve is probably located nearby. If your heating valve is located in the cellar or outside your flat, a Nest thermostat installation may not be possible.
Domestic hot water compatibility
The options that you have for controlling your hot water with the Nest app will depend on what type of boiler/hot water heater you have.
Domestic hot water control and how to change settings
Zoned system compatibility
If you have a zoned system (more than one thermostat in your home), each zone can be controlled by a Nest thermostat and Heat Link. You do not have to install Nest thermostats in all zones at once. You can start with one zone controlled by a Nest thermostat, and then equip other zones with Nest thermostats later.
How Nest thermostats work with zoned systems
Fil pilote compatibility
Fil pilote systems usually control multiple electric radiators with a single thermostat or controller. They’re common in France, and many electric radiators sold there since the 1980s are fil pilote-enabled. Fil pilote thermostats can also have different modes such as:On,frost,night andday.
Both Nest Thermostat E and 3rd-gen Nest Learning Thermostat are compatible with fil pilote electric radiators, but installation will be a little different depending on whether you have a fil pilote thermostat and what thermostat you’re installing.
In all cases, we recommend installation by a local pro installer because advanced wiring is usually necessary. For instance, your Nest Pro may need to install an additionalfil pilote diode (sold separately) depending on your current system.
Compatibility with other system types
Forced-air heat pumps, condensing boilers and other less common heating systems are compatible with Nest thermostats if they use standard cables: neutral, live, call for heat, common or satisfied. Contact a local pro installer for help determining Nest compatibility.
Systems that aren't Nest compatible
There are two main reasons why a heating system may not be compatible with Nest Thermostat: its high current or a proprietary system.
High-current systems
While most heating systems are high voltage (usually 230 V), they generally only use a little bit of current at a time (up to 3 A). However, some systems that are high voltage use a higher current (sometimes as high as 16 A or more) – for example, electric radiators or electric underfloor systems. Thermostats are designed to handle either a low or high current. The Nest Thermostat only supports low-current systems, as they are by far the most common. The fil pilote electric radiator systems in France are compatible with the Nest Thermostat when installed by a Nest Pro.
Proprietary systems
Proprietary systems use a serial communication protocol between the system and the thermostat. These protocols are specific to the manufacturer of the system – they aren’t standardised across the industry, and only thermostats made by the same manufacturer are compatible with these systems.
Some of these proprietary systems may also have the option to use standard heating system wires. In this case, a professional may be able to connect your system to a Nest thermostat. If you think that your system uses a proprietary communications protocol, contact a local pro installer in your area for help.
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