Hey Padre, I 've heard you and some others on the TWiT network discussing the recent Nest thermo...

[G+_Curtis Stone]

Hey Padre, I've heard you and some others on the TWiT network discussing the recent Nest thermostat failure and think totally not recommending that kind of device is a bit extreme. Just like you back up your computer, it's easy to have a backup "dumb" thermostat in a critical location.

For example, when I installed my Nest, I took my old mechanical thermostat and installed it in the basement, wired in parallel, and set to a lower temperature. If my Nest ever does fail, the temperature can only drop so far before the backup thermostat will activate the furnace.

Living in Canada with a 6 month old, I certainly can't have faulty equipment, but with a little wiring I don't have to give up on my technolust either!

[G+_Ben Reese]

I hadn't even thought about connecting another thermostat in parallel. Makes the idea of a DIY connected thermostat a little safer to try.

[G+_Steven Atkinson]

Phrased correctly Nest could even make it sound like a good thing. Like being a frost stat for a vulnerable part of your house rather than a backup. A backup makes it sound like you expect it to fail and they don't want you to worry about that (even though it did!).

[G+_Jason Perry]

WHAAAAAAT! I cant believe I didn't think of doing that. I am going to do that this weekend. Brilliant.

[G+_Michael Belew]

My Bro is a HVAC guy and he is not too impressed with the nest even though he installs them if people insist on having one. :)

[G+_Daniel Armstrong]

The problem with Nest is that pre-Google the company refused to accept constructive criticism and product improvement ideas from anyone, including HVAC techs. No idea if they have improved post-Google.