New Smart Thermometer Programs Itself to Control Energy Use

The inventor of the iPod has developed a smart thermometer that can program itself based on your behavior patterns, knows when you’re not home, and optimizes temperatures to minimize energy use. The Nest Learning Thermostat, designed by Tony Fadell’s new startup, Nest Labs, uses six sensors that track temperature, motion, humidity, and ambient light to control energy consumption. Within a week, the device begins to create a schedule for heating based on the user’s habits, adjusting the heating and cooling automatically when no one is home and documenting how much energy is used each day. While it costs $249, the company says the technology, which will be available commercially in mid-November, will cut energy costs by an average of $173 per year.