A look at the Nest thermostat

A former Apple executive has given the lowly programmable thermostat in your home a high-tech makeover.

The Nest Learning Thermostat is the brainchild of Tony Fadell, who had a role in the design of the iPod and iPhone.

What can the Nest thermostat do for you?

The Nest is a device that learns your living patterns and figures out when to bump the temperature up or down a few degrees to save you money while you’re out — without you having to tell it to do anything.

Like all Apple products, the Nest looks like a piece of art and makes technology very easy to use. Its most prominent feature is a dial that’s similar to the one on an iPod. It can also be controlled remotely via smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Programmable thermostats can reduce heating and cooling costs in your home by 25% or 30%. It’s priced at around $250 for the latest version. (The first generation Nest is available for $179-$199.) Visit Nest.com for more details on how it works.

The Nest can be self-installed if you have technical ability or you can hire a local installer who will also sell you the unit. Retailers carrying the Nest include Amazon, Best Buy, and Lowe’s, among others.

I am obsessed with reducing energy consumption and have done whole house solar at my residence. I’m also a huge LED freak. While I have tried traditional programmable thermostats before, I have not necessarily been happy with the results.

I’ve tried the Nest at my home and am very happy with its performance. I’ve found it reduces your energy bill by the 30% that’s advertised.