Nest Learning Thermostat

[Curious01]

My Heatlink stopped working about a week ago. For a few years it has been working with a 2nd Generation Nest Learning Thermostat. My heating engineer has suggested that the heatlink needs to be replaced. However, finding a 2nd Generation Heatlink is difficult as I don't think they are being made anymore. 

Is it possible to use a 3rd Generation Heatlink with my boiler and with my thermostat as they are more easily available?

[KCath]

Mine has also died. I’ve no idea what generation it is though?

Does Google Nest help or is it something we have to sort out ourselves/with engineer?

[Curious01]

Google Nest used to have a contact phone number. An engineer used to walk through some ideas to get the system back up and running again. I don't think they do that anymore. Best to raise and detail the issues you are facing here and someone will hopefully be able to help you.

[DragosC]

Hi there all.  I'm sorry to hear about that. Thanks for letting us know 

Could you tell me please when did the situation start occurring first and when was the thermostat installed?

Also, please answer the following questions:

Are there any lights on the Heat Link? Does the boiler activate when calling for heat by pressing the Heat Link's button to activate Manual Mode?
Are you seeing any wiring report or message on the thermostat and/or the app?
Have you had any recent power cuts in your area? If yes, has the power been restored?
Have you recently had service or maintenance on your electrical, plumbing, or heating system?
If yes, how long was the power off for? (Be specific.)

Could you tell us please if you've checked on the breaker switch and fuse box?
Any blown fuse in there? Have you tried to turn the breaker switch off and on again? Any difference?

[Curious01]

Thank you DragosC,

Please see my answers:

1. The heat link failed approximately 10 to 12 days ago. The thermostat was installed more than 2 years ago.

2. The heatlink does not have any lights now, but when it was operating before the break down it had a constant green light. No the boiler does not activate by pressing the heatlink's button. The heatlink appears to be totally dead.

3. Yes the thermostat had H72 displayed, which I think suggests it was low on power. I think the power was reaching the thermostat because the heatlink appears to have died suddenly.

4. No recent power cuts in my area. 

5. Boiler was serviced about 3 or 4 months ago. The power was not off at all during boiler service.

6. As far as I know there are no blown fuses. I have switched the breaker to the off position and back to the on position, and no difference happened.

As I explained I am fairly sure I need a new Heatlink to work between my boiler and my 2nd Generation Nest Learning thermostat. However, I have read that Nest have stopped producing this. So my question is this: Will a 3rd Generation Heatlink work with my thermostat given that the thermostat is a 2nd Generation Learning thermostat?

Huge thanks.

[DragosC]

Thank you @Curious01

I've sent you an email. Please follow the instructions from it and let me know when you've done it. 

[Curious01]

Thanks DragosC,

Just completed the form but I could not find a serial number and forgot to include the 8 digit ref number. I hope you will manage to locate my form somehow. 

Apologies.

[DragosC]

Hi there. Thanks for filling it out. Could you send us a picture with the back of your display so we can tell you how to locate the serial number? 

[Curious01]

Thanks for your message. When you say 'display' are you referring to the back of the wall-mounted thermostat I have, or the back of the heatlink? I don't think I can remove the heatlink from the wall.

[DragosC]

The display refers to the round thermostat without the wall-mounted base plate.  

[Curious01]

Ah, thank you. I just had another look and used a magnifying glass this time! I found the serial number and completed the form again, but this time completely.

Thank you.

[DragosC]

Thank you very much for the answers. Could you tell us please if you've checked on the compatibility checker from the Google Store for the 3rd generation Nest Learning Thermostat?  Here's the link for it: https://goo.gle/2UDR7jj

[Curious01]

Thank you, I haven't used the compatibility checker. I am not clear whether I need to though as my existing system has been up and operational for some time until about 2 weeks ago. 

As I explained previously I believe that 2nd generation Nest Learning thermostats aren't available anymore. With that being the case, how can I find out what to do next? 

Thank you for your involvement with my case.

[DragosC]

The 2nd gen Nest Learning Thermostat has stopped manufacturing since 2018. If your heating system is compatible with the 2nd gen, it will definitely be compatible with the 3rd gen as well. 

[Curious01]

Thank you. Given that I think, the core problem is a failing heatlink I believe the course of action required now is for me to replace the existing (failed) heatlink with a 3rd generation heatlink and continue to use the 2nd generation Nest Learning thermostat.

I hope I am making sense here. Basically, to use a higher (3rd) generation heatlink with lower (2nd) generation thermostat.

[DragosC]

The 3rd generation Heat Link is compatible with the 3rd generation thermostat only. They are not sold differently. You'll need to replace both the thermostat and the Heat Link in this case. 

[Curious01]

Thank you, but this is a very expensive solution given that I have had the current thermostat / heatlink combination for only 3 or 4 years. What guarantees are there that after replacing the existing with a 3rd generation system will solve the problem without further failings? 

Would it make more sense to opt for a 4th generation system in order to make this more future-proof?

[DragosC]

We're sorry for the inconvenience, but since the product has been discontinued, the only solution is to replace it with a new gen. system. The new product will have a 2 year warranty as any other electronic device. We cannot guarantee that it's gonna last a certain amount of time, but being a new product will definitely improve the experience. At the moment, there is no 4th generation Nest Learning thermostat, the 3rd gen is the last model for Europe that we have. 

[Curious01]

Ok, thank you. Do you offer a service whereby my heatlink can be serviced and repaired for a price? Even cars built in the 1960s can still be repaired so I am hoping that what was available until 2018 can also be supported/repaired in 2022. 

[DragosC]

Unfortunately there is no such thing we can offer. You can check with a certified electrician, since the product is already out of warranty for some time. 

[Curious01]

Once again, I appreciate your advice but I am not happy with the company approach. It would seem that, like many other products, with this too obsolescence has been built in. The issue could be something as simple as a failing 3amp diode or a capacitor. It wouldn't be difficult for Nest to install a second diode costong pennies to extend the life of the circuitry used. 

[DragosC]

We"re sorry for the inconvenience once again. If you'd like to leave a feedback regarding the situation, you can do so here: https://goo.gle/33uLTYZ

[Curious01]

Thank you will do.

[DragosC]

Thanks for understanding. I'll have to close this thread. Should anything else come up, please open another thread and we'll take it from there. Have a good one and stay safe!