Ecobee - 6 Tips and Tricks to getting more out of your device

[@_Moto215]

That last tip about using the sensors to turn off lights is awesome. Sometimes I feel like my only reason for existence is to follow my wife and son around the house turning off lights that they've turned on and left on after leaving the room.

[@SteveDOES]

haha, me too. Glad you liked that one.

[@ruebeneleazar9357]

I lock doors as well

[@RealRyanDeLuca]

I really want to be able to run fan only at scheduled intervals throughout the night (this helps keep the bedroom from getting stuffy). It was easy to do on my old nest but can’t find a way to do it on my new Ecobee Lite

[@bobbyg212]

Go to SYSTEM, FAN, select AUTO, in a drop down menu you can select the total number of minutes per hour that the fan will run. This will include the duration(s) the fan is running when either heating or cooling. You can't set a certain time schedule but you can set, for example, that you want the fan to run 40 minutes each hour.

[@codester_d]

I use geofencing with a HomeKit automation and works well. It turns on away mode when the last person leaves the house or resume schedule when the first person arrives.

[@NM2011CTSV]

I was surprised he didn’t do this. I was hoping this was the case. It something so simple that Nest does naturally where as Ecobee, you have to set it up vs marking a box to do it automatically. Especially when two phones/people are involved..

[@noelsafi1647]

Same here I use it with HomeKit with no problems

[@zhelyoradev5918]

I am from Bulgaria, Europe. The typical HVAC systems in the USA are not so common and popular here. I can say that my company is one of a few, that sell and install American brand heat pumps and gas furnaces. People here even don't know what "gas furnace" is, because we don't use gas as a main source for heating. Few days ago I personally installed one "Glass" (by Johnson Controls) and one Ecobee. They are the first ever to be installed in Bulgaria. Both for 5 Ton Goodman Heat Pump units. "Glass" has awesome futuristic transperant QLED colour touch screen and build in air quality sensor, but also has some issues. There are a few minutes delay for reaction when control it trough smartphone. Second - when you install it you need to choose a country location. I found that it's not made to use in Europe, so I had to set an US address. #3 - there is no more voice control.. And #4 - the display is active only when you are in front of it. Who the heck pays a few hundred dollars for an amazing colourfull QLED display and in the end you can't enjoy it all the time?? About Ecobee - Unfortunately it doesn't have the same look. But everything else is perfect. The settings, the App, the smart sensor, the voice control and Alexa, the reaction time when using smartphone.. just perfect. And the list with the countries is full, not only North America! I love it! No more Glass, no more Honeywell. Ecobee, especially with it's features is the best thermostat ever.

[@vanwahlgren8451]

I did not realize they were exported, are you getting yours from Amazon or where did you buy yours? Personally I think they're pretty cool

[@philwebb6671]

You mention using the echobee smart sensors with SmartThings. Can you link them into a Google Home setup?

[@jleducrrc]

I use IFTTT all the time but didn't realize I could motion detection for the light control.....I can't believe I missed that. Great video

[@SteveDOES]

Thank you. Happy it helped.

[@aasimbaksh6584]

What is ifttt

[@asant90]

The away and home modes are silly is better to leave it auto/hold until i change it. Cause it just starts changing temperatures and gets the house all crazy sometimes hot sometimes cold. The alexa and phone app are great tho

[@melodyjohnson1505]

I had a guest in my home disable my contact sensor settings. Is there a way to prevent that from happening?

[@eriklarson9023]

Awesome review Steve! In the market for new smart thermostat and i think the ecobee is gonna be the one now!

[@shirleymcgee5771]

Do you know how I can get my ecobee back online when I'm away?

[@hafenta]

Does it have a parental or guest control to limit the amount the temperature setting can be changed?

[@jonkc3635]

Yes. It does. You can set a temperature range on the thermostat and then you can set up an access control lock to lock your settings from being changed.

[@Shisimocha3]

We had Ecobee 3 lite pro.installed this summer. The "home for now", "away", and "sleep" modes are not working properly, or maybe I don't know how to configure them properly. For example, right now , I am at home, but my app does not show that I am home, nothing is highlighted. Then sometimes when I am home, it shows that I am "away". And I set the temperature to drop a bit for "sleep" at 11 pm, but "sleep" mode s not on at11 pm. Instead, home for now" is highlighted So what am I doing wrong?

[@victoriazivyon9331]

Im confused as to what occupied means on the sensor vs follow me are they different?

[@TimothyRJames]

I liked the information about the applets, IFTTT and Samrt Things more than the information that was more specific to the thermostat.

[@SunMaximus]

Does it respond to a command "Turn on fan?"

[@juanpayan1113]

I currently have my ecobee set up with IFTTT for geofencing, but I was looking into purchasing a Smartthings hub to set up door contact sensors. Will I be able to have ecobee connected to IFTTT and Smartthings? I really like the geofencing via IFTTT and Life360, but also want to set up the door sensors so that the ac shuts off if door is open.

[@petervantienen3420]

Wouldn't it be easier to just add a few sensors in the home? They detect motion don't they?

[@jermallhopson]

What was the app for iso you spoke of

[@dainalys3515]

I need help pleaseee. I dont understand this comfort settings

[@fredjarvis7937]

Can the Ecobee thermostat control more than 1 heating device? We have our HVAC as well as a gas fireplace.

[@vanwahlgren8451]

Just one. I have two furnaces and to AC, therefore I have 2 ecobee

[@jjva9740]

How can I turn off Alexis?

[@oldteenager6850]

Great video. never knew about IFFF. Thanx. Do you know if alexa can turn on and off ecobee thermostat? I have an echo dot (the ex girlfriend version) and each time I say alexa turn on/off the thermostat, it replies "you are joking right, you know I don't support that". thanx in advance for your thought.

[@PeterSchneemann]

What is the piece of Scotch tape hanging on the right side for?

[@TheChensoccer]

Hey Steve, in order for the geofence feature to work, is it necessary for the location to be kept active on the cellular device? Thanks

[@jonkc3635]

Yes. It's best if you do.

[@randyallen6633]

Good stuff, Steve! Very clear & practical. Thank you. BTW, good for you to mention the plastic skin once more. I missed it on installation & I’m sure a lot of other folks do as well!

[@SteveDOES]

Thanks Randy. :)

[@redfirewolf4186]

Great video! Very helpful.

[@SteveDOES]

Thank you. Happy to hear it was helpful.

[@mikimiki195]

Video starts @1:19 👍🏻

[@ramblinman7153]

If I have multiple sensors in my home what happens when they register the room as unocuppied? I would assume that sensor's temperature would not be taken into consideration.

[@dogger99]

How can you set it to 40°F?

[@jonkc3635]

The lowest heating temperature you can set on the thermostat is 45F.

[@julianpoper]

does anyone know why I can't link the ecobee door sensor to the smartthings app

[@nouraabdullah6077]

Love this for getting it

[@DixieCreekBourbon]

I’ve tried search a TON in the internet for an easy solution to have a sliding glass door sensor turn off the A/C if left open past a certain time. Any way to easily do this? I am not a computer programmer!

[@MrTimdtoolman1]

I use geofencing for turning on and off lights in my house and I want to do that with my ecobee thermostat as well.

[@daverfromthehammer]

Interesting stuff, thanks!

[@AdventureMuse]

Love how genuine you are! Another great review.

[@SteveDOES]

Aww thanks. :)

[@PhotowalksTV]

Another great one!

[@antonywilfi7854]

How to activate door alarms on ecobee?

[@twmcelroy]

Question on SmartThings. Are you able to change the program or just the temperatures? I brought my ecobee automations into SmartThings instead of a custom smart app. But I’m doing it all by temperature instead of comfort settings. Just checking I didn’t miss something.

[@twmcelroy]

Second question, do you find the sensor are good as motion or do they trigger as presence sensors (continued motion before they register as motion) in SmartThings. Otherwise great video! Clear and easy to adapt your recommendations. I just wanted to see some screenshots of automations in SmartThings. I’ve also been able to move from classic to new app with minimal loss in functionality.

[@SteveDOES]

I was changing the mode in SmartThings app. This way it’ll use my pre-programmed comfort settings.

[@SteveDOES]

I noticed that the Smart Sensor was more of a presence sensor than a quick Motion Sensor. As for the SmartThings app. I’m still split between the classic and new version.

[@twmcelroy]

@@SteveDOES Interesting. Mine does not have that option. It just allows for Heating temp, cooling temp, mode (auto, heat, cool, etc), and fan mode. I'd love to see a screenshot even in the classic app of what you are seeing.

[@Multi28000]

Hi Steve. Great video. in addition i am impressed with the power saving photo of Navagio Zakynthos, Greece or in other words the Navagio Beach, or Shipwreck Beach

[@SteveDOES]

Thanks. And not my photo. Just one that I found on Google. Beautiful place though. :)

[@Multi28000]

@@SteveDOES Yes Steve definately, it is beautiful place wishing you to arrange it as travel destination and to fulfill it at least once!! Until then, I am looking forward to watch more interesting hi tech videos.

[@26-CJ]

@@SteveDOEScan the display be set to only wake up when motion is detected. Nests thermostat does not display a bright light in master bedroom when sleeping at night. This ecobee is always on and so bright at night

[@dainalys3515]

I want my temp to be at 68. I dont understand the heat and cool icons 😪

[@NominalHero0]

Hey there - the heat (flame) and cool (snow flake) symbols are showing you what your HVAC unit will be doing to get to the desired temperature. If you see an orange flame icon only then your unit is in heat mode and will heat up to the set temperature and then stop running. If you see the blue snow flake icon then your unit will cool the house down to the set temperature and shut off once it’s reached. If you see both the flame and snow flake then your thermostat is in “auto” mode and will heat up to the orange number and cool down to the blue number and there’s a gap temperature in the middle (usually 4 or 6 degrees, if I remember right). I hope that helps!

[@GrommieWolf]

Thanks for the info! I have an issue with my thermostat being the primary Echo device in my kitchen. I have an Echo Main(5") on the kitchen counter a few feet from the Ecobee, and I want the Echo main to answer or play music rather than the thermostat. I have set up a group-kitchen- and checked the Echo main as primary yet the Ecobee always answers or plays anyway. I end up whispering to my Echo main on the counter top! LOL Any help? Thank you!!

[@MrsGSXR11]

On your Ecobee tap the 🎙 and select off.

[@GrommieWolf]

@@MrsGSXR11 Thank you! That works but the whole time the mic is off, it glows red, which is a bit noticeable.

[@philwebb6671]

6:00 Turn off the lights of it doesn't detect motion in 10 minutes. Yeah, my son set up his system like that. So, while you're sitting, watching TV, every 10 minutes you have to say, "Alexa, turn on the living room lights." Really convenient. I'm guessing someone makes an IR sensor that could detect presence of one or more warm bodies in the room?

[@TechViewOpinions]

Great ideas!

[@james4592225]

Do you know how I would connect this with my "control4" app?

[@maryanndituro7394]

Has anyone had an issue with ecobee4 switching from system cool to system off? This has happened 2 times in the last 10 months.

[@williamgriffith7468]

Yep the plastic was on it.

[@sunalwaysshinesonTVs]

DO NOT PURCHASE AN ECOBEE! Somewhere buried in their code is a bug that drops the wifi connection. First you'll see it go off-line a few times then wont connect to your router at all. To add insult to injury, after sales support does not exist. Ive tried 4 times to get through. Been on hold for at least 6hrs total.

[@harrywoods9784]

# 6👍

[@gideonstibor2519]

Aparently this is a "smart things" video. just because the Ecobee is on table doesn't make it a Ecobee video.

[@rameshbhatia1194]

Very poor audio