Transitioning to Owner from Family Member for NEST Thermostat

[SGL_23]

I am a family member on the NEST App and have a NEST Learning Thermostat, 3rd generation.  The owner has passed away.  I have moved all NEST devices to a new home where I am the owner but have been relunctant to attempt the thermostat.  It is set to dual fuel and everything I have read says to get a pro.  But since it is already installed I assume if I copy (write down the) settings, I should be able to remove the device from the owner's app (I still have phone and access), then add the device to my account and use the settings I copied?

Need step by step advice!  TIA!

[EdmondB]

Hello SGL_23,

Thanks for posting here in the Community. To transfer a Nest thermostat to a new account, all you need to do is factory reset the Nest thermostat. But connecting the Nest thermostat on the system with your new home with a different wiring configuration depends on what type of heating and cooling you have installed. If you could send us a photo of your system board or the wiring diagram from the current thermostat you are using, we can guide you with the correct configuration on the Nest thermostat. 

Here is a link on how restart or reset Nest thermostat. 

I look forward to your response.

Best,
Edmond

[SGL_23]

Thank you.  It doesn't look like this community page supports photos.  Is there an email address I can send them to or otherwise upload?

[EdmondB]

Hey there, 

We would want to know the make and model of your heating and cooling system if you could share that information to us it would help us a lot. 

Below are the steps on how to upload a photo or video:

1.  Hit reply or Start a new post.

2.  Click Insert Image. 

3. Choose an image source location. 

4. Follow the on-screen instructions Also, you can tap the "Drag and Drop" option. Maximum attachment is 5 MB.

Best,
Edmond

[SGL_23]

Edmond - thank you.  Unfortunately, I have tried multiple devices, OS's, and browsers.  I get 'You do not have permission to upload an image."  This happens for replies or new conversations.

[EdmondB]

Hi there, 

Thanks for trying. Just tell us the make and model of your current heating and cooling system, describe how many wires you have, and which terminals the wires were inserted into the thermostat that you are using in your new home. 

Let me know if you have additional questions.

Best,
Edmond

[SGL_23]

Okay, thanks.  To be clear - I simply want to put the existing system (NEST Thermostat in the same home with the same equipment) on my NEST app where I have a 'virtual' home where I am 'the owner'.  The wiring shown in the equipment detected screen of the thermostat shows:

Y1 = heat/cool; Y2 = shows a gray wire with no label; G = fan; OB = heat pump; Rc = open

W1 = alt.heat; W2 aux = alt. stage 2; C = 24V common; * = open; RH = power

It is a geothermal heat pump (Q Energy model WAV036111LTC10).  My understanding is there is an auxilliary heater.  There is also a humidifier and an ERV, but I don't think those are part of the thermostat.  The 'Your System' screen shows:

Heat pump heating

Alternate heating

Alt. heat stage 2

Heat pump cooling

Fan

Hope this helps!  Thank you!

[SGL_23]

Not sure it makes a difference, but I currently have access as a family member to the thermostat in a different 'virtual home' on the NEST app.  But want to move it to the virtual home where I am the owner.  I have 2 virtual homes on my NEST app for the same physical home. 

[EdmondB]

Hello there, 

I’m sorry for the confusion, and thanks for clearing that up for me. If it’s the same home and system, all you need to do is factory reset the Nest thermostat, copy the same wiring configuration, and then add it to a different home structure (virtual home) on the Nest App. Here is a link on how to restart or reset the Nest thermostat.

Let me know if you have additional questions.

Best,
Edmond

[SGL_23]

Thank you.  Before I do this, just another couple of questions:

1. When I do a reset from settings, will the thermostat no longer be functional itself?  Will I not be able to control the HVAC unit at all until everything is reconfigured?

2. The instructions show that (depending on what sw version its on) I may have a reset option for the Account connection only.  It seems like this is the option I would want to use and may be able to avoid a full reset?

[EmersonB]

Hello everyone,

@SGL_23, thanks for getting back to us. It will still work however, you need to start fresh and set up again your Nest Thermostat like it's newly installed. Also, all your set schedules and other configurations will be deleted after the reset. Resetting your Account Connection will only disconnect your account from your Nest Thermostat. In your case, it's highly recommended to remove it from the old home, reset it and re-add it to your new home structure. 

To reset: 

On your Nest Thermostat> go to settings> Reset> All settings.

To learn more, you may visit our public article about "Restart or reset a Nest thermostat".

Let us know your update here.

I appreciate the help, Edmond.

Regards,

Emerson

[SGL_23]

Thank you.  I reset and configured it this afternoon and all looks good so far.  Appreciate the assist!

[EmersonB]

Hey SGL_23,

That's awesome! We're glad to know that it's working fine now. Let us know if you have more questions in mind.

Thanks,

Emerson