Your Nest Temperature Sensor connects to your thermostat to report the temperature in a different location in your home. Use it to make sure a certain room is the exact temperature you want it to be.
Follow these steps to set up and install your temperature sensor:
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This article applies to the following Google Nest thermostat models in the US and Canada: |
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Nest Thermostat E
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Nest Learning Thermostat |
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Nest Temperature Sensor (1st gen) |
Nest Temperature Sensor (2nd gen) |
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1. Add the sensor to your account using the Google Home app
Home app
- Open the Home app
Devices.
- Tap Add
- Tap Next
- Find the QR code.
Tip: If you’ve already removed the battery pull tab, open the back of the sensor to find the QR code. For the Nest Temperature Sensor (1st gen), insert a coin in the slot on the back of your sensor and turn to unscrew the backplate. The backplate of the Nest Temperature Sensor (2nd gen) can be turned by hand. You’ll find the QR code inside.
- Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera when prompted. If you’re unable to scan the QR code, tap Continue without scanning and follow the instructions in the app.
- Pull out the battery tab.
- Take your sensor to a spot you’d like to keep at a comfortable temperature.
- The Home app will test the connection to make sure you’ve chosen a spot that will work. Connection can take up to 1 minute.
Continue to Troubleshoot issues with the Nest Temperature Sensor if connection fails.
Nest app
- Tap the Settings
icon on the Nest app home screen.
- Tap Add Product
.
- Scan the QR code located on the Nest Temperature Sensor’s battery pull tab. Your app will add the sensor to your account.
Tip: If you’ve already removed the battery pull tab, open the back of the sensor to find the QR code. For the Nest Temperature Sensor (1st gen), insert a coin in the slot on the back of your sensor and turn to unscrew the backplate. The backplate of the Nest Temperature Sensor (2nd gen) can be turned by hand. You’ll find the QR code inside. If you need help, tap Show me how in the Nest app when trying to scan the QR code.
- Remove the battery pull tab.
- Pick a spot for your sensor and choose a thermostat to associate it with. The Nest app will test the connection to make sure you’ve chosen a spot that will work.
- Choose a room name for your sensor.
2. Where to place or mount your sensor
Before you install your sensor, there are some important things you should know about exactly where to place it, and where not to.
Depending on where you place your sensor, your system might have to work longer and use more energy to keep you comfortable.
Learn about the Nest Temperature Sensor and how to change settings
It’s best to put your temperature sensor:
- In a room where you spend a lot of time, such as your bedroom or living room. Your sensor will then be able to tell your thermostat to change the temperature based on the room where you are.
- About chest high. Air is generally warmer near the ceiling and cooler near the floor. If you install the sensor too high or too low, your system may overheat or overcool the room because it’s responding to the wrong temperature.
- Within a maximum of 50 feet (15 m) of your thermostat, so the sensor and thermostat can communicate wirelessly. You may need to place them closer together because the wireless range can be reduced by walls, floors, appliances, furniture and other electronics.
Tip: Keep in mind that even in the same room, the temperature will be different on a high shelf versus a low table, so choose a location that makes sense in your home. Also, different rooms can be warmer or colder based on the number of windows, the orientation, or ceiling height.
Do not place your temperature sensor:
- Near heat sources such as vents, stoves, or hot water pipes.
- Outside.
- On or near a window or other uninsulated surface (such as a brick wall) that can get much warmer or cooler than the room.
- In direct sunlight.
- In a partly or completely enclosed location where the air may not circulate enough. For example, avoid placing your sensor behind a painting, in a closet, inside a vase, or behind books on a bookshelf.
- In rooms that are much colder or hotter than the rest of your home, such as the basement or attic. The temperature difference can cause your thermostat to heat or cool the rest of your home to an uncomfortable temperature.
- Too high or too low in a room. Place it about chest high.
- Outside of the zone the thermostat is controlling, if you have a system with 2 or more thermostats: you can use the app to reassign the thermostat your sensor is connected to.
- The Nest Temperature sensor is not designed for use inside or around any appliances in your home, such as refrigerators, stoves, microwaves or televisions.
Other rooms where a sensor can help
- Baby’s room: A sensor in the baby’s room can help make sure the room is at an ideal temperature.
- Bedrooms: A sensor in your bedroom can help keep your room comfortable while you sleep.
- Extra large rooms: Very large rooms may not heat or cool as quickly as the rest of the house. A sensor in an extra large room can help keep you more comfortable.
How to place temperature sensors in zoned systems
Zoned systems use multiple thermostats to control heating and cooling in different areas or floors in the home.
- If you have a zoned system, make sure you place your temperature sensors in the same zone as the thermostat they’re connected to. For example, if your thermostat controls the first floor of your home, make sure to place your sensor on the first floor.
- If you place a sensor outside of the thermostat zone, the zones in your home will probably be too hot or cold. Your system may use more energy than you expect, and it will also probably not start or stop when you expect it to.
3. How to install your sensor
The Nest Temperature Sensor is wireless and easy to install. You have two options:
Option 1: Place it on a flat surface
The sensor will sit on a flat surface, like a shelf, without sliding around.
Option 2: Mount it on a wall
Install the longer screws included in the box where you want and hang your sensor using the screw hole on the back. Nest screws are specially designed so you shouldn’t need to drill a pilot hole for most installations. You may need to drill a pilot if you’re mounting your sensor on a hard surface.
4. Sensor options
After you’ve installed all your sensors you can choose to:
- Manually select which sensors to use.
- Add your sensors to your thermostat schedule.
- Only use your sensor to control the temperature in other rooms instead of your thermostat.
- Adjust the temperature manually or by scheduling it using the Home app.
- Just use your sensor to monitor the temperature, but not to control your thermostat.
How to use your sensor to only monitor the temperature
When you set up your sensor, you have the option to connect to a thermostat in your home.
After set up, if you decide to use your sensor to only monitor the temperature and not affect the thermostat, you can disconnect them by following these steps:
- Open the Home app
- Tap Settings
- Tap Associate with.
- Uncheck the thermostat the sensor is connected to.
- Tap the back arrow to exit the menu view.