Does Nest thermostat work before new owner sets up the home internet?

[CabinSeller]

So I see from other posts about selling a house, that I can remove the Nest from my google home app and can do factory reset - but then I'm worried about what happens next until the new owner gets started. 

The new owner might take a few weeks to move in and to sign up for internet connections, etc...   So will a Nest that is no longer attached to an account and no longer has internet connection still allow manual temperature setting on the screen and operate to keep the cabin from freezing the pipes during the winter?  And if that will work, second question, will it use too much battery constantly trying to find the internet that isn't there, and is it likely to run down the battery if it doesn't have the extra separate power wire?

[CoolingWizard]

Cabinseller,

this will be a little tricky. First, you will need to use Google Home app, or the Nest app and remove the device.  This will remove the thermostat from your app(s). Next, you need to delete the nest account in the thermostat. You need to tap the screen and wake up your your nest thermostat. Then rotate ring to set the mode and temperature set point you want to maintain.  I would suggest Heat and Cool, Heat to 50 and cool to 85.  After this is set rotate ring to Menu and Select, then rotate the ring to Nest App and select. Here you will remove the nest account associated with the thermostat.  This will require you select Reset of the Nest account data. You will be asked to rotate the ring to confirm that you want to RESET, select OK.  The thermostat will reset and reboot. You will see it resetting with a blue trace going around the edge.  Once the Nest Account link is removed, the thermostat will reboot.  You will see the Google “G”. After a a bit the thermostat will come back to the Home Screen.  The equipment will be there and the mode set will be active.  The settings can be changed at this point like a basic thermostat.  You will notice in the Menu gear an yellow exclamation mark in the middle. 

From here you can walk away. The system equipment configuration and operating parameters will be in tact.  
When the new owner arrives, they should be told to down load the Nest App on their smart phone. Create a Nest account, The new owners will need  to go to the thermostat and and tap the screen to wake it up.  The need to rotate the ring and select Menu. The rotate the ring to get to Nest App and add their account. It will likely be showing a message that the WiFi settings have changed. This the tricky part. The thermostat might get confused if you try to fix the WiFi first.  The best thing for the new owners to do is add their Nest Account to the thermostat.  They can wait until they get Wi-Fi and still adjust and change the settings in the meantime.

I hope this help
Ken, The AC Cooling Wizard

[Anonymous]

Which thermostat do you have? Does the display look like a mirror with 2 batteries at the back, or is it the one with Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd GenNest Thermostatthe metal ring that you can turn clock wise? or the white one where the display looks like gray or frosted glass.

[CoolingWizard]

I personally have an love the 3rd Generation model. 

[EdwardT]

Hi folks,

@CoolingWizard and eveluna, thanks for the help!

@CabinSeller, how's it going with your Nest Thermostat? Still need our help?

Thanks,

Edward

[EdwardT]

Hi CabinSeller,

I wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let me know if you are still having any trouble from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Thanks,

Edward

[EdwardT]

Hi CabinSeller,

I'm just checking in to make sure that you've seen our response. Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns as I will be locking this in 24 hours.

Thanks,

Edward

[CabinSeller · Accepted solution]

Thanks, I think this will do. We haven't sold yet so have not performed the suggested set of steps, but it sounds like that'll do it for me. 

[Brad]

Hi there,

Glad to hear that these steps will do the trick for you. We'll leave this topic open for another 24 hours in case there are any follow-up questions or comments.

Best regards,
Brad