Run fan only to maintain an even temperature in 2 level house

[AlexAP]

Hi, is it possible to setup Nest to run the fan periodically to even out temperature  between levels? I have 2 story home with the thermostat on the main level and an additional sensors downstairs. Naturally warm air moves to the upper level and so the temp difference between levels can reach 10F or even more if furnace/AC don't need to run for extended period of time (especially during those warm sunny days when outside temp is around 60-70F).

I tried "fan schedule", and while it somewhat works, there are some issues. For example, in cold days Nest won't turn on furnace while the fan is running on schedule. E.g. if I set fan to run for 15 min every hour, it'd just move cold air for 15 minutes and only after the cycle ends Nest would start the furnace and run it for another 15 min or so to heat the house.

[EdwardT]

Hi AlexAP,

Thanks for reaching out. I'd love to know more about this. Do you have a schedule for heating? Also, is the fan schedule delaying the schedule of your heating?

Thanks,

Edward

[AlexAP]

Hi EdwardT, no I don't have heating schedule. What I meant was if I have fan only schedule, the heating does not start until the fan cycle completes its 15min run. 

[EdwardT]

Hi AlexAP,

Thanks for the response. I'd love to know more about this. What type of Nest Thermostat do you have? Also, how is your Nest Thermostat wired?

Thanks,

Edward

[AlexAP]

Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd gen. IIRC it uses 3 wires (no AC, heating only)

[EdwardT]

Hi AlexAP,

Thanks for the response. We'd like to know more about this. Please fill out this form so we could investigate further.

Thanks,

Edward

[rsc]

It sounds like you work for Nest/Google? If so, this feature request has been brought up many times and IMHO, is a HUGE benefit. I live in S. Florida where the temperature in some rooms can be much (7*F+) higher than other rooms when running the AC, depending on which side of the house the sun is hitting. I have 3 Nest Temp sensors & the only thing they accomplish is making one room much colder than the "comfort" set temp because the AC compressor is running to cool the room which is set as the active sensor at that time. Sensor schedules are not effective for my house. However, the simple ability to have the fan run when the temp on the active temp sensor is much different from the main Nest thermostat and/or the other rooms in order to simply circulate the cold & warm air between different rooms by using the fan only vs running the AC compressor would result in substantial energy savings while also eliminating the issue I have where 80% of my house is 70* while the AC is running to cool a single room (my office) with an active temp sensor set to 76* while I work. Due to the fact that Nest already has a separate control for the fan only or fan + AC compressor (or heater), this feature should be simple to add via a software update. Pls pass along to the development team.

[EdwardT]

Hi rsc,

We hear you. Our team is working hard to deliver the best experience for our users — we'll take this as feedback. Keep your eye on the Google Nest Community page for any updates. Please let me know if you have other questions or concerns as I will be locking this in 24 hours if I won't hear back from you again. Feel free to start a new thread and we'll be happy to help.

Check out this link on how to file feedback.

Thanks,

Edward