Nest thermostat faceplate removal

[Localarif]

I have a property in which I have a nest thermostat installed into the wall. 

I am planning on moving out and taking the faceplate with me, but leaving the unit attached to the wall, so that my tenants can buy their own faceplate and use that with their own credentials. 

Will this work? Or will the component installed in the wall be linked to my account as well? 

Thanks - I'm keen to avoid taking out the entire unit from the wall, factory resetting or just replacing with a manual thermostat. 

Thoughts? 

[moralesvicente]

Hello Localarif, 

Thank you for contacting the Google Community Forum. It sounds like you have some concerns about whether you can take the display of your thermostat with you and leave the back-plate attached to the wall to your tenants so they get another display unit and install it using their own configuration. Don’t worry. I’m here to assist you. 

I recommend taking the entire unit to avoid compatibility issues or performance troubles. However, you can purchase a replacement back-plate and display from third-party sellers.

Best regards, 
Daniel

[Localarif]

Thank you Daniel for responding. I appreciate your guidance. A few follow up questions if I may?

1.  I wanted to only take the faceplate to reduce the effort on future tenants. After all, I'm not sure how long they will have a lease for, and I figured, if I just take the fascia with me, the uplift on the tenant would be low and there would be low effort - as opposed to removing the back panel each time. 

2. If I took your approach and took the entire nest thermostat including the part embedded into the wall with me, would that require a) significant effort b) damage to the wall and paint work? 

3. Alternatively I was thinking of flipping the fascia myself to a guest / tenant instance and that way, each person can factory reset upon lease ending. 

The most elegant way I feel is option 1, but I'd welcome your thoughts

[moralesvicente]

Hey Localarif, 

Thank you for your continued assistance.

I understand that removing the Nest thermostat's display is simpler than the entire unit, but to avoid potential issues and relocate the thermostat, consider purchasing two separate units one for you and one for your tenants. The best choice will depend on your specific needs and comfort preferences.

Regards,

Daniel 

[Localarif]

Thanks Daniel. Sounds like that might be the simplest solution. 

May I ask is it complicated to replace a nest thermostat or do you need a plumber or electrician?

[moralesvicente]

Hi Localarif.

I appreciate you staying informed with me.

Replacing a Nest thermostat is generally not a complicated task, but it requires basic equipment and knowledge. You can get a better understanding by watching this video: How to Install the Google Nest Learning Thermostat. You can also check out this useful article: Install your Nest thermostat.
If you're unsure about any of these steps or feel uncomfortable with electrical work, it's best to consult with a professional electrician.

Regards,
Daniel