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Product Review > Thermostat
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Review
By Rashko Arnaudov/ Last Updated February 25, 2024
Ecobee continues to impress with its latest offering, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium. This updated model brings subtle yet significant enhancements and introduces new features. It boasts an even more appealing design with a sleek zinc body and a 50 percent larger glass touchscreen display. It also includes an air quality sensor and onboard radar, allowing for improved motion detection, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is the latest model of the company. However, the numerous features of the built-in speaker, air quality sensor, circus case plus support for Alexa, Homekit, Google Assistant, and IFTTT platforms make it quite an expensive option. Therefore, I advise you before you buy it to consider whether it fits into your budget and to answer the question, is this smart thermostat the best for you?
Pros
- Features an air quality detector
- Includes a remote sensing device
- Numerous voice command alternatives
Cons
- Costly
What’s in the box?
- A mounting panel containing twelve connection points
- A discretionary white wall mounting plate.
- A separate room sensor and its accompanying stand.
- A power adapter set designed for residences lacking a C (common) wire.
- Mounting screws; cable markers.
- Setup manual.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium: Compatibility
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is designed to work seamlessly with nearly all HVAC systems, although the manufacturer advises prospective purchasers to verify compatibility using its online checker. While a C wire is necessary for power, Ecobee provides a power extender kit in case your current setup lacks one. This thermostat is compatible with single- and dual-stage furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, ventilators, and various other systems.
(Credit: Ecobee)
The misconception most people have is that plugging in an Ecobee Smart air quality sensor would automatically trigger your HVAC system’s fan to circulate the air in your home by pulling in through the filter itself. The thermostat only reports PM levels by displaying an icon with a description of the air quality ( “clean”, “dirty”)
Smart Thermostat Ecobee: Design
The design of the Smart Thermostat Ecobee Premium is almost identical to its predecessors. It still retains its square shape with rounded corners. What sets it apart from the rest is that the model has a zinc rather than plastic body, which naturally makes it a bit heavier, and a significantly enlarged all-glass touchscreen display with a 540-pixel resolution and a size of 4.1 by 4.1 by 1.0 inches (HWD)
With this model, ecobee has made significant changes to the menu layout as well as Alexa integration. The changes are that they have rearranged some of the things in the menus, making it extremely user-friendly. The other change is that Ecobee has ditched the well-known Alexa light bar at the top of the thermostat. Instead, thet built Alexa into the display itself, which personally makes it way easier for users to navigate.
(Credit: Ecobee)
Ecobee Thermostat Installation
Installing the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is extremely easy. For most customers, it takes 30 to 60 minutes. In my case, it was about 35 minutes. Start the installation by downloading the Ecobee App and creating an account in it, adding the new device to your home. Next, scan the QR code located on the back of the thermostat itself to begin the installation process itself.
First turn off the power to your cooling and heating system, which is usually done via a light switch or circuit breaker. This step is extremely important for your safety, so don’t skip it. Next, remove your old thermostat if you have one at all. The Ecobee app will prompt you to take a photo of your old thermostat’s wiring so you review it later if needed. Next, you will need to select the wires that connect to the terminals on your old thermostat. Now that you’ve labeled all the wires with the green tags provided by Ecobee, you can disconnect them from the terminals themselves.
The next step is to remove the mounting plate from your old thermostat (if you have one) strongly recommend that if it is made of plastic you recycle it. Then comes the time of installing the new wall plate from the new thermostat, which is done extremely easily with only screws, remembering to push all the wires through the hole in the plate, Now it’s time for your smart thermostat by gently pressing it onto the attached back plate until you hear it click into the plate. Turn the power back on to your heating and cooling system, and the thermostat with greet you with ”hi”.
(Credit: Ecobee)
Ecobee Application Interface
The Ecobee application enables users to configure and manage their Ecobee devices remotely. Through the app, users can oversee their Ecobee thermostat, cameras, sensors, lights, and Ecobee Smart Security system. This app is accessible on iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones, and tablets. Depending on your device, you can download the Ecobee app via the App Store (iOS) or the Play Store (Android).
After you have already downloaded the application and registered, you need to add a device (in this case it will be your thermostat). To add it to your account, press the plus icon in the upper right part of the screen. Once you register your device, you and the other members of your ecobee Home will be able to control the ecobee app.
After you have already touched the plus sign at the top of the screen, you must select pus and your thermostat model in this case it will be – Smart Thermostat Premium. Then select it is installed if you have already installed the the thermostat itself and enter your reregistration code, which code you received when you registered the thermostat, and select Next by following the prompts strictly.
Good to know:
Registration codes are valid for about one hour before expiration. If your code expires, simply follow the above procedure again to re-generate the code.
(Credit: Ecobee)
Ecobee SmartSensor
One SmartSensor is included with your Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium purchase, and you can add up to 32 to cover larger homes, but personally, 4 is plenty for me, You can place them anywhere around your home to give your thermostat more accurate information about home’s temperature and activity, but you should nore that if your base unit is in the middle of your home, you should place your sensors anywhere with a 90 foot radius.
Ecobee says that for the best temperature readings, you should place your SmartSensors at a height of about 5 feet. It’s also a good idea not to put them right in the kitchen as the temperature there can change drastically as you cook, which can cause your thermostat to work in ways you don’t want it to. It is also a good idea not to place the sensors near an exterior door or window that lets in quite a cold draft. Don’t place them in direct sunlight, as well as in the bathroom.
Motion Sensors use infrared motion sensors. This means they use infrared light to detect movement. So if you wanted to, you could program the thermostat to only run when motion is detected through the sensor, which in turn would save you hundreds of dollars each year. but what is the range of the motion sensors? Remote sensors can detect motion about 120 degrees left and right about 25 to 30 degrees up and down, and up to 15 feet away.
(Credit: Ecobee)
The inclusion of the air quality sensor, engineered to identify volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide, stands out as the most notable enhancement in the latest Ecobee thermostat. When selecting “Clean” (or the respective option) on the primary display, it directs users to a secondary screen presenting a spectrum ranging from poor to pristine air quality. Additionally, it is mentioned that volatile organic compounds-Low; Carbon dioxide- Low.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
|
Smart Home Integration |
Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, SmartThings
|
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Compatibility | |
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Display |
2.9 x 2.9 inches |
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Includes remote Smart Sensor | |
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Resolution |
540 x 540 |
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Built in speaker | |
Conclusion
I find the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium to be an exceptionally impressive choice. While I acknowledge its slightly higher price tag of $250, this is justified in part by the inclusion of the smart sensor. With this sensor placed in a room that typically doesn’t reach the desired temperature, you can instruct the thermostat to maintain heating or cooling until that room reaches your desired comfort level. Crucially, you can also set it to activate only when the sensor detects occupancy in that room, potentially resulting in significant cost savings of hundreds of dollars annually.
I appreciate the inclusion of the air-quality sensor in the Ecobee, but enhancing its integration with smart home automation would significantly increase its utility. While it’s beneficial that the Ecobee supports both Siri and Alexa, its compatibility with all major smart home platforms is even more advantageous.
How does the ecobee premium work?
The Ecobee Premium works by utilizing advanced technology to optimize home heating and cooling systems. Its smart features allow me to control and customize the temperature settings remotely through the Ecobee app.
Additionally, it includes innovative sensors that detect factors like occupancy and air quality, enabling it to adjust settings for maximum comfort and energy efficiency. Overall, the Ecobee Premium enhances my home’s comfort and sustainability by intelligently managing climate control.
Is it worth upgrading to ecobee premium?
In my opinion, upgrading to the Ecobee Premium is worth considering. With its advanced features such as enhanced sensors for detecting air quality and occupancy, as well as its compatibility with major smart home platforms, it offers significant advantages over standard thermostats.
The ability to remotely control and customize temperature settings, along with the potential for energy savings, makes the upgrade worthwhile for those seeking greater comfort and convenience in managing their home climate.
What is the difference between Ecobee Enhanced and Premium?
The difference between the Ecobee Enhanced and Premium models lies in their features and capabilities. While both offer advanced functionality compared to traditional thermostats, the Premium model includes additional enhancements such as upgraded sensors for detecting air quality and occupancy.
Additionally, the Premium model may offer more compatibility with smart home platforms and potentially more advanced features for customization and control. Overall, the Premium model provides a higher level of performance and convenience, making it a worthwhile upgrade for those seeking the latest in smart thermostat technology.
What is the difference between Ecobee Enhanced and Premium?
Yes, the Ecobee Premium can indeed control humidity. Its advanced features include the ability to adjust humidity levels in your home, providing greater comfort and ensuring optimal indoor air quality. This capability allows me to maintain a healthy and comfortable environment year-round, making the Ecobee Premium a versatile and valuable addition to my home automation setup.
Is Ecobee better than Nest?
In my experience, Ecobee and Nest both offer excellent smart thermostat options, each with its own set of strengths. While Ecobee provides advanced features such as remote sensors for enhanced temperature control in multiple rooms and compatibility with a wide range of smart home platforms, Nest excels in its intuitive learning capabilities and sleek design. Ultimately, the choice between Ecobee and Nest comes down to personal preference and specific needs. Both brands offer quality products that can greatly improve comfort and energy efficiency in the home.
