Updated: July 22, 2021
When it comes to Alexa, few things are more frustrating than hearing, “Hmm, I don’t know that one.“
Thankfully, this rarely happens with Nest devices.
The Nest Alexa skill is fantastic, and as a result, it’s easy to control your Nest thermostat with Alexa voice commands.
To help you get started using these, this guide will tackle three key questions:
- Compatibility: Which Nest thermostats work with Alexa?
- Set-Up: How do I connect Alexa to my thermostat?
- Voice Commands: What Alexa commands can I use with Nest?
Let’s dive in.
Check Out Our Lists Of Best-Selling
Alexa-Compatible Smart Home Devices
The Basics
Do Google Nest Thermostats Work With Alexa?
Since Google and Amazon are rivals, they often make their products incompatible with the other’s platform.
For example, until 2020, Google did not allow its YouTube or YouTube TV apps on Amazon Fire TV devices.
Thankfully, however, this is not the case with Nest devices:
All Nest thermostat models and generations are compatible with the Amazon Alexa smart home platform.
So no matter which thermostat you have – 1st generation or 4th generation, budget model or premium – your Nest thermostat will work with Alexa.
If you’re still in the market for a smart thermostat, we recommend narrowing your search to the three products listed below.
(These are the three most recent and best-selling Nest thermostats.)
- Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)
- Nest Thermostat E (the budget counterpart of the above)
- The (new, but less-proven) Nest Thermostat (4th Gen)
Set-Up Guide
Connecting Nest Devices With Alexa
These instructions will show you how to connect your Nest thermostat to the Amazon Alexa platform.
In fact, this set-up process works for all Google Nest products (e.g., Nest doorbells or cameras).
How To Connect Your Nest Thermostat To Alexa
Now, tap "enable" on this skill and sign-in with the same Google account you use with the Nest app.
Finally, tap the Close button.
When she finds your device, this means your thermostat has successfully connected to Alexa. (In the rare case that she does not, just say, "Alexa, discover my devices" and she should find it on the second try.
Now that your thermostat is connected to Amazon’s smart home platform, you have three new ways to control your thermostat:
With the Alexa app, as shown in the screenshot above. (To access this screen, open the Alexa app —> tap “Devices” in the bottom right —> and tap Thermostats (within the carousel at the top of your screen).
With a voice command, as long as you’re near an Alexa-enabled device (e.g., the Amazon Echo Dot or Echo Show).
With Alexa Routines (automated instructions for Alexa, which we’ll discuss in full in a guide coming out later this month)
Voice Commands
Alexa Commands For Nest Thermostats
Below you’ll find the full list of Nest voice commands, divided into three categories by type of request:
- Asking about the temperature
- Setting a specific temperature
- Adjusting the temperature
Note: Make sure to replace [thermostat] with the name of your Nest thermostat, which you created at set-up. If you’re not sure what it is, you can find it in the Settings of your Nest app, under the “Heat and Air” section.
Pro tip: The commands in green are our personal go-to's and have consistently been well-understood by Alexa
1. Asking About The Temperature
- Alexa, what’s the [thermostat] set to?
- Alexa, what’s the temperature in the home? **
- Alexa, what’s the temperature in the [room]? *
- Alexa, what’s the temperature in the [room]? *
* These commands apply only if you have temperature sensors around your home
** Alexa will respond with the temperature at your thermostat. If you have Nest temperature sensors around your home, Alexa will give you the average temperature
2. Setting A Specific Temperature
- Alexa, set the [thermostat] to [#] degrees
- Alexa, change the [thermostat] to [#]
- Alexa, turn my [thermostat] to [#] degrees
3. Adjusting The Temperature
- Alexa, decrease the [thermostat] temperature
- Alexa, make the [thermostat] warmer by [#]
- Alexa, increase the [thermostat] temperature by [#] degrees
Note: If you ask Alexa to change the temperature without specifying an amount, she will change the temperature by 2°F.
FAQ Round-Up
Before we wrap up, we’ll answer the commonly-Googled questions about using Nest thermostats with Alexa.
Yes, all generations and models of Nest thermostat are compatible with Alexa, meaning that you can control your thermostat with either the Alexa iOS or Android app as well as Alexa voice commands.
Yes, your Nest thermostat will work without wifi, BUT you will have to control the temperature and settings manually, on the device itself (like a non-smart thermostat). I.e., you will not be able to control your device with the app or with voice commands.
Conclusion
And that should do it for this guide to Nest thermostat Alexa commands! If you have any questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send us an email.
And if you liked thermostat voice control, be sure to check out some of our other smart home Alexa commands guides, particularly those on Roomba vacuum commands and Sonos speaker commands!
Otherwise, enjoy the convenience of these Nest thermostat Alexa commands, and we hope to see you back here soon!
Warm Regards,
The Commands Guru
