Skip to main content

Nest thermostats fail to save energy as advertised, class-action lawsuit claims

class action lawsuit nest claims thermostats dont work advertised thermostat
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Check out our full written Nest Thermostat review.

Chances are that you’ve heard plenty people sing the praises of Nest’s energy-saving thermostats before, but not everyone out there is so satisfied with the award-winning products. Earlier this week, a Maryland man filed a multimillion-dollar class-action lawsuit against the company, alleging that its ultra-popular Learning Thermostats are defective, and fail to accurately measure a room’s temperature.

In the complaint, Justin Darisse said he purchased one of the thermostats online for $249.99 after watching Nest promotional videos and seeing advertisements that suggested installing the device would save him money. After testing the device firsthand, he found that faulty temperature readings taken by the thermostat actually caused him to pay more for energy costs, not less.

He alleges that,”Nest’s base and faceplate heat up, which causes Nest’s temperature reading to be from two to ten degrees higher than the actual ambient temperature in the surrounding room. This defect prevents the thermostat from working properly. As a result, Nest users do not experience the advertised energy savings.”

The complaint seeks more than $5 million for Darisse and the hundreds of thousands of other consumers who’ve purchased one of Nest’s thermostats, alleging that the company has violated warranty and consumer protection laws. Five million dollars is likely a drop in the bucket for the company, which was recently acquired by Google for $3.2 billion back in Janaury. But if the lawsuit sticks – and there’s no guarantee it will, at this point – it’ll likely cause a significant amount of damage to the company’s image.

 You can read the full complaint, which was first spotted by Law360, for yourself here.

[via GigaOM]

Editors' Recommendations

Drew Prindle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
Nest Hub Max vs. Echo Show 10: which is the better smart display?
The Nest Hub Max on a table.

The world of smart displays is dominated by two companies -- Amazon and Google. Amazon is responsible for the Echo Show 10, while Google is behind the Nest Hub Max. Both offer large screens, access to a massive roster of apps, and the ability to connect (and control) the rest of your smart home. There are a lot of similarities between the two popular displays, but there are a few key differences you should be aware of before adding one to your home.

Here's a closer look at the Echo Show 10 and Nest Hub Max to help you decide which is best.
Pricing and design

Read more
Nest Hub Max vs. Skylight Cal Max: Which is best for your home?
The Cal Max showing a picture while placed near a shelf.

The Nest Hub Max is one of the most premium smart displays available. Offering a vibrant screen, support for tons of apps, and the ability to sync with Google Home, it's a well-rounded and versatile smart display. The recently revealed Skylight Cal Max is a radically different sort of device -- but it's still contending for the same spot in your kitchen. Instead of offering tons of apps and services, it's a streamlined smart calendar that wants to simplify your life.

Trying to decide between these two premium displays? Here's a look at the Nest Hub Max and Skylight Cal Max to help you figure out which is best for your smart home.
Pricing and design

Read more
Nest Secure will be discontinued in April – prepare your smart home with these steps
Nest Secure Review

Google is dropping support for Nest Secure on April 8, at which time users will see a complete shutdown of its features. Whether you're using it as a bridge for your smart lock or as a home security system, the device will no longer connect to the internet, rendering it obsolete.

Google has already reached out to impacted users to let them know about the impending shutdown, but is there a replacement for Nest Secure available in 2024? And what exactly can you do to prepare for the discontinuation in April? Here's a look at everything you need to know about Nest Secure.
Check ADT for a Nest Secure replacement

Read more