Nest Temperature Sensor To Operate Furnace, Not The Connected Nest Thermostat

[mrbugs]

Can a Nest Learning Thermostat operate the furnace ONLY by reading the remote Temperature Sensor.  I do not want the heater to turn on based on the Thermostat temperature.

I live up north and have a heater in the garage.  Since the technical operating temperature of the Nest Thermostat [0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)] does not recommend below freezing , I want to place the Thermostat inside the house and have it control the garage heater only based on the remote Temperature Sensor.

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Use Case: The garage temperature is -15°C (+5°F).  At 5am I want to turn on the garage heater to reach +15°C (+60°F) so that the garage is warm when I get into my car.

Problem: If I place the Thermostat in the garage, it may not work in -15°C (+5°F).

Solution: Place the Thermostat in the house and a Remote Temperature Sensor in the garage.

Problem: If I set the Thermostat in the house to +15°C (+60°F), the garage heater may not turn on since the inside house temperature is already +21°C (+70°F), even though the garage temperature is below freezing.

Question: Can the Thermostat operate the heater solely based on the remote Temperature Sensor, and not the thermostat temperature.

[CoolingWizard]

The nest thermostat only can use a single temperature sensor source to make it decisions on heating and cooling functions. if you use a remote temperature sensor all the decisions about the setpoint will be controlled by that remote temperature sensor. so if you purchase a remote temperature sensor, and put that temperature sensor out in the garage, you can use that to tell the nest thermostat inside the house when you turn on the heater.

what I do not know is what is the temperature range that the nest remote temperature sensor can handle.

Ken, The AC Cooling Wizard

[mrbugs]

Thanks for the info.  You asked a good question.  The sensors operating is also 0° to 40°C (32° to 104°F). It may not work for my purposes.  I'll look into the Ecobee since its sensor storage temperature is −31° to 113°F (−35° to 45°C).  Need to try to find its operating temperature. Hopefully it's lower than the Nest sensor.  

Thanks.

[EdwardT]

Hi folks,

@CoolingWizard, thanks for the help!

@mrbugs, You're correct. The Nest Sensor is not recommended to work below 32° F. I understand that it would helpful especially in your situation. Our team is always looking for ways to improve, and we'll take this as feedback.

Thanks,

Edward

[EdwardT]

Hi mrbugs,

It's me again. I wanted to check back in to see if you have other questions and concerns. Feel free to let me know if you do. 

Thanks,

Edward

[EdwardT]

Hi mrbugs,

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