Nest 3rd gen for 2 heating zones + DHW

[Confused121]

Hi all,

Due to the number of variations out there, I have yet to come across any posts/forums/YT videos to describe my exact setup.

I currently have a Climote installed (which is beginning to fail). It controls 2 x individual heating zones (via 2 independent wired 230v thermostats) and also my hot water.

I have purchased 2 x Nest 3rd gen learning thermostats. I understand that one heatlink will operate one heating zone + hot water, and the other heatlink will operate the remaining heating zone only. I'm also aware that the Nest thermostats are connected via 12v supply rather than the current 230v. That all makes sense and is ok..... so far.

I have picked up bits of info from the countless threads and videos I have watched, but there is nothing on the web to explain how this is achieved/wired, (not that I can find anyway), so that all zones & hot water appear on the one App and all work as intended.

I get the connections going to heatlink #1 (L, N, and connectors 1, 2, 3 for heating & 4,5,6 for hot water). On the other heatlink #2, only L, N and 1,2,3 will be used. Both heatlinks will use T1, T2 for 12v supply to individual wall mounted thermostats in rooms.

Why are there no videos or threads about this set-up? I'm assuming a lot of folk have zoned heating + separate hot water these days (via a high-efficiency condensing boiler (not a combi or system boiler), so I'm surprised that this sort of install isn't discussed or covered anywhere?

Am I missing anything above, or has anyone come across any snags when performing this sort of install? It all seems straightforward to me, I think the biggest headache will be figuring out the existing wiring and any jumper cables that may be needed??? Would appreciate any thoughts or insight. Thanks.

[Roller86]

Hi, This is my set up as well. We live in a 2 year old "new build" property so I would imagine that this set up would have been changed over to a Nest installation countless times so would have thought there would be more videos available.

I've been watching this one video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee6YVUPYWT8 which gives a really good explanation of how to install two heatlinks and hot water but I would have liked a video based in a real world situation as well. 

I will be following the thread. Thanks.

[Confused121]

Hi,

Yeah, I've seen that video.... a few others by the same user, and a bazillion other videos too. Seems a bit mad that, for such a popular product, there isn't a definitive guide available on any platform - particularly for what is a faily common set-up these days - i.e. 2 heating zones + hot water. Hopefully someone shares a bit of wisdom here...

[Vladut]

Hi there, just checking in with you. Did you manage to check the last message?

[Confused121]

Hi,

Yes, I checked all messages. The installation manual is only partially helpful, as it is a very vague/broad guidance in terms of how to wire the heatlink. (i e. 'Connect to terminals 1-3 "as needed", doesn't provide clear direction to anyone.) There is nothing specific in terms of how to wire different systems and I think this is why so many people waste hours looking through YT videos and for further help on online communities in order to try install the system. I even reached out to a bunch of 'Pro Nest Installers' via your website and only got a reply from one person. No one else replied?

Finding support and specific information for the install of this product impossible to find. Souring the experience. Contemplating returning the products I bought as a result.

[LarisaL]

I understand and I'm sorry for the confusion. In the installation guide at page 9 the terminals are explained and it is mentioned that 1-3 are for heating and 4-6 are for hot water, as well as in page 19. And from pages 20 to 25 there are the wiring diagrams for different types of boilers (combi, system with Y and S plan, low voltage etc). Also our lines of support are available on 0808 169 2307 from Monday to Friday – 08:00‑19:00, and Saturday to Sunday – 09:00‑17:00 (UK TIME) and my colleagues can answer your questions if you want a quicker resolution. 

[Vladut]

Hi there, just checking in with you. Did you manage to check the last message my colleague sent?

[Confused121]

Hi,

Yes, as I have mentioned before, I checked all messages. The installation manual is only partially helpful, as it is a very vague/broad guidance in terms of how to wire the heatlink. (i e. 'Connect to terminals 1-3 "as needed", doesn't provide clear direction to anyone.)

A bigger issue is that 2 of the 3 "Pro Nest installers" never even bothered replying to my request for install. I find this is a major let-down to your business, when you direct customers to so-called 'professionals' to install your products, but they never bother replying. As I've alluded to before, the buying experience from Google was perfect, everything else thus far has been a shambles. 

[Vladut]

I'm so sorry for any inconvenience caused by this. At the moment I've taken your feedback in regards of the installation guide and nest pro's. My recommandation would be to try to contact them again?

[Vladut]

Hi there, just checking in with you. Did you manage to check the last message?

[TudorL]

Hi there, just checking if there's anything else me or my colleagues can do for you. 

[Confused121]

Hi, yes there is one other thing you could do for me please. Could you please review the short thread in the attached link, which many people have commented on - but Google have failed to answer in quite some time.... https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Nest-Thermostats/Hot-water-schedule/m-p/90274

I cannot believe that the 3rd gen Nest has a facility to schedule timers in 15min intervals, but will not apply them? We are all living in an Eco environment these days, where the cost of gas / fuel is prohibitively expensive for everyone. Why is it still impossible to set a hot water schedule for 15 mins or 45 mins etc? It is only possible to set a secedule on the hour mark, or the half-hour mark. This is insane. My 10yr old smart Climote system could set any schedule required. It's almost 2024. Why has Google not patched a simple update to resolve this??

Can you advise, or escalate internally please, with a view to releasing a fix for this?

Regards

[AlexD]

Rest assured all feedback received is logged and received. Our colleagues are always looking for ways to improve both our software and services. 

Such a change may be available in the future but at the moment there is no information I can provide regarding the subject. I don't have access to that kind of information and don't decide what will be implemented or not. Should there be any update we'll make sure to let everyone know on our official channels.  

I do see the point on the flexibility for the schedule. The 30 minute period was chosen to try and avoid short cycling hot water tanks. However keep in mind that hot water tanks have their own separate thermostat generally. So even if you schedule the hot water to be on 24/7, that does not mean it will be on. 

When the temperature on the hot water thanks thermostat is reached, even if the schedule is set to be on, it will turn off and stay off until hot water is used, so new cold water is added to the tank and the temperature drops or if some time passes and the water cools down below the trigger point, which will depend on the tank at the location on how fast it will happen. 

I see and understand what you and everyone suggests completely but I don't have any information to share at this moment regarding this kind of change to the hot water schedule.  

[Confused121]

Hi Alex D, and thanks at least for replying to my query -I appreciate it. I won't be holding my breath for this minor tweak to be implemented any time soon, given that plenty of users have requested this update for some time now - without any success.

Yes, I am aware of the temp stat on a hot water cylinder itself and the operation of such. However, this shouldn't detract from the convenience of having 15min intervals available on a preprogrammed schedule, on what is supposed to be a modern '3rd gen learning' system like Nest. It's not like a "re-design" of backend code is required for this, so it's surprising that Google have neglected to implement this via a simple update. Maybe one day....

Regards

[AlexD]

I completely understand and I am happy I could assist with a bit of insight. 

I do wish there was more information on any possible future changes or updates I could share but at the moment there's nothing I have access to. 

Do make sure to share any feedback and suggestions you may have. The more the better and the higher the chance of any updates possibly in the future. 

[LarisaL]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out! Indeed this is how the wiring should be done in a zoned system. You can also check our installation guide and here is an article about zoned system compatibility with Nest thermostats. Please let me know if you have any other questions that i might answer.

[Confused121]

Not sure why you keeping posting messages asking if I read the last comment?? I've reached out (again) to the 'supposed' "Pro Nest Installers", and as predicted, there has been no reply from them again.

Not sure why you even have a (misleading) option for customers to request an installation quote from a professional installer, when most of them can't even be bothered to reply? Like I alluded to previously, it's all very unprofessional.

[Vladut]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Please keep in mind that Nest Pro installers are independent installers who partner with us, not employed by us. I'm so sorry for any inconvenience but I'd recommend in this case to contact one local installer to come and have a look.