Smart Home

Getting Started with an Ecobee Smart Thermostat

Ecobee smart thermostats are advanced Wi-Fi-connected thermostats that can be controlled from anywhere using the Ecobee app. They have a sleek, modern design with a touchscreen interface.

Unlike old-fashioned thermostats, Ecobee models are packed with smart features. They use remote sensors to monitor temperatures in different rooms and optimize heating and cooling. The thermostats auto-adjust based on your location, schedule and habits to maximize comfort and efficiency.

Some key features of Ecobee smart thermostats include:

Wi-Fi connectivity and mobile app control
Touchscreen with simple menu navigation
Remote sensors to monitor multiple zones
Auto-scheduling based on your routine
Integration with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant
Smart home and IFTTT compatibility
Energy-saving Eco+ mode
Far-field voice recognition

While traditional thermostats just turn your system on and off based on the temperature at the thermostat, Ecobee models use smart algorithms and sensors to heat and cool your home in the most optimal way. This provides greater comfort while also saving energy and money on bills.

Why Choose an Ecobee Smart Thermostat?

Ecobee smart thermostats offer several key features that make them worth considering for your home.

Energy Savings

Ecobee thermostats can help you reduce your energy costs in a few ways. They have motion sensors to detect when you’re home, allowing them to automatically switch to an energy-saving away mode when you leave. You can also set energy-saving schedules and customize the thermostat’s operation around your routine. Overall, Ecobee estimates their thermostats can save 26% annually on heating and cooling costs.

Remote Access and Control

The Ecobee mobile app allows you to access and control your thermostat remotely using your smartphone or tablet. You can adjust the temperature, switch modes, edit schedules, view energy usage reports, and more. This gives you control from anywhere, so you don’t have to worry about coming home to a hot or cold house.

Integration with Other Smart Home Devices

Ecobee thermostats are compatible with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and IFTTT. That means you can control your Ecobee thermostat using voice commands with a smart speaker. You can also integrate it into scenes and automation with other smart devices in your home. For example, you could set your thermostat to switch to home mode when your smart lock unlocks your front door.

Choosing the Right Model

The Ecobee smart thermostat comes in three main models to choose from:

Ecobee 3 – The original Ecobee smart thermostat. It has a built-in Alexa voice assistant, a touchscreen display, and supports remote sensors. The Ecobee3 requires a C-wire or included power extender kit.

Ecobee 3 Lite – A more affordable version without built-in Alexa or remote sensor support. It has a simpler LED display and needs a C-wire or power extender kit.

Ecobee 4 – The latest model with enhanced Alexa integration. It has a touchscreen, built-in Alexa speaker, and supports remote sensors. The Ecobee 4 runs on battery power so a C-wire is optional.

The main differences between the models are the display type, Alexa support, and wiring requirements. All Ecobee models connect via Wi-Fi and can be controlled by the Ecobee app.

Familiarizing Yourself with Ecobee Icons

We will take you through the basic icons and features available with your Ecobee smart thermostat and the information you need to know to get started.

In the top left corner of your Ecobee smart thermostat’s home screen you will see a small cloud icon. This is the weather icon, your Ecobee smart thermostat receives weather information from the internet and gives you up to date weather reports.

The flame icon in the top center of your home screen tells you what heat source you are using at the time, that could be a heat pump or auxiliary heat from a gas furnace.

In the top right corner of the home screen, you will see three lines, this button takes you to the main menu. The main menu tells you which system order you are in and gives you access to your comfort settings. If you are going to be away from home, here is where you can change your away comfort settings.

The big number in the middle of your Ecobee smart thermostat is the actual temperature of your home. You will notice a smaller number below that. The smaller number is the set temperature, that is where the smart thermostat will go up or down to.

Changing the temperature of your Ecobee smart thermostat is as simple as selecting the number in the middle of the home screen and adjusting the temperature to your desired level. Switching between heating systems is very simple as well, you just press the flame icon at the top of the screen and switch between your heat pump, air conditioner, or auxiliary power.

Creating Schedules with your Ecobee Smart Thermostat

Schedules allow your thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures at certain times of the day or night. For example, you may want cooler temperatures when sleeping and warmer temps when waking up and getting home from work. With the Ecobee app, you can set customized comfort settings for each part of your daily routine. Scheduling helps maximize energy savings.

The Ecobee app provides an intuitive way to program schedules based on your household’s needs. You can even have different schedules for weekdays vs weekends. The app allows remote creation and editing of schedules from anywhere.

Smart Home Integrations

The Ecobee smart thermostat integrates with popular smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. This allows you to control the thermostat using voice commands through a smart speaker or virtual assistant.

To enable voice control, you need to connect your Ecobee thermostat to the respective smart home platform:

Amazon Alexa

Open the Amazon Alexa app and go to Skills & Games. Search for the Ecobee skill and enable it.

Now you can say commands like “Alexa, set the thermostat to 72 degrees” to control the temperature.

Google Assistant

Open the Google Home app and go to Add > Set up device > Have something already set up?

Search for Ecobee and sign in to link your account.

Try saying “Hey Google, make it warmer” to raise the temperature.

Apple HomeKit

Open the Apple Home app and tap Add Accessory. Select the Ecobee thermostat.

Enter your Ecobee username and password to add it.

Use Siri voice commands like “Hey Siri, lower the thermostat 2 degrees.”

The voice integration allows hands-free control and makes it easy to adjust the temperature. You can also ask about the current temperature, upcoming schedule, and more.

Saving Energy and Money with Ecobee

One of the best features of Ecobee smart thermostats is their ability to help you save energy and money. Here are some of the keyways Ecobee can reduce your energy usage and costs:

Temperature Scheduling – With Ecobee, you can program different temperature settings for different times of day. For example, you can set a lower temperature when you’re asleep or away from home to avoid heating or cooling an empty house. Smart scheduling ensures you’re only using energy when needed.

Remote Adjustments – The Ecobee app allows you to adjust your thermostat remotely so you can turn off heating/cooling if you end up staying out longer than expected. This prevents energy waste from conditioning an empty home.

Geofencing – Ecobee can use your phone’s location to detect when you’re away from home and automatically switch to an energy-saving mode. This ensures energy isn’t wasted on an empty house.

Smart Sensors – Ecobee sensors detect occupancy and temperature in different rooms. This allows you to condition only occupied rooms, reducing waste in unused rooms.

HVAC Monitoring – Ecobee provides detailed insights into your HVAC system’s performance. Identifying issues early can improve efficiency and prevent energy waste from a faulty system.

Home/Away Assist – By detecting your presence at home, Ecobee can automatically switch off HVAC when you’re away and turn it back on as you return. This eliminates energy waste from conditioning an empty home.

Users typically see 15-25% savings on their energy bills after installing an Ecobee smart thermostat. With advanced scheduling and automation features, Ecobee thermostats make it easy to maximize energy efficiency and reduce HVAC costs. The energy savings usually provide a quick return on your investment in an Ecobee.

If you have any additional questions about the Ecobee smart thermostat, contact one of our expert energy advisors and they will be happy to help. Additionally, you can download our new customer service app on the Apple Store or Google Play Store for additional resources that can help you learn more about your unit.