topic Does turning the system Off turn off the Fan in Nest Thermostats

Programming events that turn on Cool, or Heat, Plus Fan Circulate

JayStevans — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 15:43:42 GMT

I have not bought a Nest yet, this post is me trying to be sure it CAN do what I am trying to create.

I would like to have "Combination" events, which Nest seems to call Presets, such as one I would call "Morning" that, at the same specific time every day, automatically sets the Heat or Cool to a defined temperature AND puts the fan into circulate mode where it runs X minutes-per-hour to keep the air moving around the house.

But, I just watched a Nest video that showed how to create a Custom Preset and I noticed there is no Fan element to the present. That same video says "You can run your fan whenever you want..." but then shows a manual operation of telling the Nest to run the fan for X minutes.

First question - can I create combination event/Preset that puts the fan into Cool or Heat mode PLUS Circulate mode of running X minutes per hour?

Now to the second question. When I put the system into "Off" mode, such as on a nice cool day where we open the windows and do not need Cool or Heat, can the Off mode be programmed to automatically turn off the fan's Circulate function? In this scenario I was in Cool or Heat mode, all was working fine, the fan was circulating to keep the air balanced and fresh, and now I want to go to "Off" that is really and truly "Off."

In case you are wondering why I am asking - I have tried two other thermostats to great frustration.

The Ecobee SmartThermostat cannot turn Circulate on as part of a programmed Cool or Heat event. It can turn the fan ON, rather than the default of "Auto," but then the fan runs all the time the Cool or Heat event is active, wasteful and unnecessary.

The Honeywell T9 can activate Circulate on as part of a programmed Cool or Heat event but when I switch the system to "Off" the fan continues to Circulate. In other words, the Honeywell's definition of "Off" is "We turn off Heat and Cool but keep the fan running." Turning the system off plus ending Circulate takes seven clicks, annoying.

I look forward to hearing that my scenario is easily done on either Nest.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Jay

How to program Cool or Heat plus Circulate?

JayStevans — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 13:08:45 GMT

Can one create combination events (Presets) that put the fan into Cool or Heat mode PLUS Circulate mode of running X minutes per hour?

I looked at a Nest video about programming Presets and did not see "Fan" as part of the Preset.

Thanks

Does turning the system Off turn off the Fan

JayStevans — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 13:12:16 GMT

When I put the system into "Off" mode, such as on a nice cool day where we open the windows and do not need Cool or Heat, does "Off" also turn off the fan's Circulate function?

Thanks,

Jay

Re: Programming events that turn on Cool, or Heat, Plus Fan Circulate

Jake — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 20:58:35 GMT

Hey JayStevans,

I am sorry for the late reply. I wanted to follow up and see if you still needed any help? Please let me know if you still have any questions about the fan control as I would be happy to take a closer look for you.

Best regards,

Jake

Re: Programming events that turn on Cool, or Heat, Plus Fan Circulate

JayStevans — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 22:44:16 GMT

Thanks for getting in touch, Jake.

I am trying to determine if I can create a Comfort Setting, perhaps Nest calls it something else, that could include Circulate - meaning the fan moves air intermittently.

That'd be great because the fan would run when Heat or Cool demanded it AND the Circulate function would intermittently keep air moving.

For example, our Sleep Comfort Setting might need to actually Cool for a couple hours. But then the house might cool off enough that actual Cooling would not be needed - but we'd still want air moving, thus Circulate.

With that background, the question is: can the Nest be programmed to build Fan = Circulate into Comfort Settings?

I received a couple comments agreeing with this on one of the places I posted the question.

Thanks again the getting in touch.

Stevan

Re: Programming events that turn on Cool, or Heat, Plus Fan Circulate

GarrettDS — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 21:07:46 GMT

Hey there,
That is a great question and I think it would be a great idea. I found an article that may b e what you're looking for to control the fan.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Best regards,
Garrett DS

Re: Programming events that turn on Cool, or Heat, Plus Fan Circulate

JayStevans — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 21:18:54 GMT

Thanks for trying but nothing there gives me the ability to embed Circulate into a Period. The best choice from where your link sent me require I create a separate schedule that is only for the fan, then set a duty cycle for the fan. But this schedule is independent of the Periods which means I still need to turn on two two Periods, the Heat/Cool one + the Fan one, and turn off those same two when I don't need Heat/Cool.

As far as I know, and I have searched mightily, no manufacturer offers this, it would be a good differentiator. Sadly, too late for me, I installed a Honeywell T9 because it got close enough.

Thanks again,

Jay

Re: Programming events that turn on Cool, or Heat, Plus Fan Circulate

Jake — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 19:03:44 GMT

Hey JayStevans,

I am going to lock the thread at this time. If you have any questions, please feel free to create a new post.

Best regards,
Jake