CES 2012: Nest Makes Home Climate Control Cool.

Who would have thought that a thermostat could be sexy? Then again, companies like Dyson and Apple have shown just how seemingly innocuous or technical products can become something akin to a piece of art.

Who would have thought a thermostat could look sexy?

Nest takes the idea of a thermostat and drags it kicking and screaming into the 21^st century. Based on a design by Tony Fadell, who contributed to the design of many iterations of the iPod and iPhone, the Nest doesn’t just control the temperature of your house – it also learns the behaviour of occupants and helps save money through this information it gathers, as well as giving users the option to select a slightly different room temperature that will result in energy, and therefore money, savings.

The philosophy of simplicity is evident in the design and functionality of the Nest. There is a dial to move clockwise/anti-clockwise, mainly to select temperature, and the centre button to access other functions.

The sensor looks for movement in the house and works out when there is no one home, and adjusts the temperature accordingly. It also suggests temperature selections that light up with a leaf to indicate that these are temperatures that will be more efficient for the house with minimum power wastage.

The Nest is also Wi-Fi enabled, allowing control via an app on mobile devices, or even through the internet, giving control to users no matter where they are.

A bit of a handyman then you can connect this baby yourself fairly easily.

So far, the Nest has been released in the States and although they don’t release sales figures, they have sold out and currently have a two month waiting list.

Just like Dyson, who reinvented floor care, Nest has taken a rather pedestrian domestic function and converted it into a sleek device that not only controls your home’s environment, it also learns your household’s behaviour and is easily controlled through devices you might already own or via the internet on a browser.

This thermostat would look great in anyone's home.

If this product does succeed, and from all indications of demand it looks like a winner, then it’s another shining example of a previously old-fashioned home device that has been revolutionised for today’s always-connected and design-conscious market.

Here is Nest’s own Kate Brinks talking to us about the Nest’s functions and business philosophy.

Have you ever thought about upgrading your home’s environmental control system, and would you consider it now that you’ve seen the Nest?