How to set up your Nest thermostat

Note: For help with the Nest Thermostat, go to our Get started with your Nest Thermostat article.

Nest Thermostat 3/4ths view

After installation, your Nest thermostat will guide you through a series of simple questions about your home.

Turn your thermostat like a dial to highlight different options and press it like a button to choose one.

Language

Select the language your Nest thermostat will use to display text.

Equipment

Homeowner or Pro

  • If you installed your Nest thermostat yourself, select homeowner to answer a few questions about your heating and cooling system.
  • Nest Pro has options that only trained professional installers should use for complex systems.
    Warning: Incorrect settings in Pro Setup can cause your HVAC system to malfunction and may damage it.

Dual fuel

If your system has a heat pump with an auxiliary heat source, you'll be asked if your system is dual fuel or single fuel.

If you have a dual fuel system, you will need to have a trained professional set up your thermostat. You can find a trained Nest Pro installer in your area with our online Pro finder.

Equipment detected

Your thermostat will show you the wires it detects
in its connectors.

  • If there's a wire missing, pull off the thermostat
    display and check that each wire is fully inserted
    into their connector, and that the connector
    button stays down.
  • If there's a wiring error on your thermostat, you'll
    need to fix it before continuing. For specific
    troubleshooting steps, follow the link below
    and enter the code.
 Nest thermostat C wire

Fuel Source

If you have a conventional system, your thermostat will ask about the fuel source for your heat and how that heat is delivered. The Nest thermostat uses this information to determine how to control your heating and cooling system.

If you know your fuel source, select it from the list.

Choose I don't know if you're not sure. You can always go back later to change your fuel source in theSettings Nest settings iconand then  Equipment menu.

Type of heating

You may also be asked whether you have a forced air, in-floor radiant, or radiator system for heating.

Heat pump

If you have a heat pump and there's a wire in your thermostat's O/B connector, your thermostat will ask if you have an O or B wire. Here's how to choose, test and change your selection if needed.

  1. Choose O or B
    • ​​The only way to tell for sure if the wire is O or B is to check your heat pump's manual. Look it up online or contact the manufacturer.
    • Most systems have an O wire, so O is a good choice if you can't tell.
      Note: If you choose I don't know, your thermostat will automatically select O.
  2. Test your system
    Don't worry if you made the wrong selection. Your Nest thermostat will ask you to run a system test at the end of setup. Don't skip this important step and follow the instructions closely.
  3. Change the setting if needed ​

Your Account

  • Add your thermostat to your account so you can finish setup with the app. When you're done, you can control it with your phone, change settings remotely, get important notifications, and more.
  • You'll need to be at home near your thermostat to add it to your account. You can't add it remotely.

Get an entry key from your thermostat or scan the QR code

Simply follow the Nest app's instructions to add your thermostat to your account. If the app asks you to scan the QR code, use your phone's camera.

How to add your thermostat after installation

Follow these instructions if:

  • You want to connect your thermostat to your account after you've completed installation and setup.
  • You needed to remove your thermostat from your account for some reason and want to add it back.
  1. ​On the Nest app home screen, tap Settings Nest settings icon.
  2. Tap Add product. The app will switch to a camera view to scan the thermostat's QR code.
  3. To get the QR code, go to your thermostat and press it to open the Quick View menu.
  4. Choose SettingsNest settings icon.
  5. Turn the ring to select Nest app and press to open it.
  6. Select QR code. Your thermostat will show you a unique QR code to scan with the app.

Finish setup with the app

Once your thermostat is connected to your account, the Nest app will ask you a few more questions about setting a temperature schedule, and choosing your Eco Temperature.

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