How to Set a Threshold on an ecobee Thermostat

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn:

  • How to configure threshold settings for your ecobee Smart Thermostat.
ecobee.

2. Verify Basic Setup has Been Completed

In order to proceed with this guide successfully, your ecobee Smart Thermostat must be fully installed and functioning properly.

Ecobee Smart Thermostat

3. Configure Thresholds

  1. Press Menu on the main screen.
Menu icon highlighted on ecobee screen.

  1. Go to Settings.
Settings option highlighted in ecobee menu.

  1. Then go to Installation Settings.
Installation Settings highlighted in ecobee settings.
  1. Select Thresholds.
Thresholds option highlighted in ecobee settings.

4. Threshold Settings

Threshold settings allow you to configure your HVAC equipment for greater efficiency and prevent damage to your equipment by controlling how the ecobee engages it.

If you're unfamiliar with the capabilities of your HVAC equipment, please reach out to ecobee support before you make any adjustments to these settings.

Common Settings for All Systems

  • Auto Heat/Cool ‒ Enables Auto mode. Heating or cooling are automatically engaged as necessary. Most useful in regions where the temperature fluctuates regularly.
  • Heat/Cool Minimum Delta ‒ Sets the minimum temperature difference between the desired Heat and Cool set points in Auto mode. Default value is 5⁰F/2.8⁰C and lowest is 2⁰F/1.1⁰C.
  • Heat Dissipation Time ‒ Sets the amount of time the fan will continue to run once the heat is turned off. Running the fan expels any heated air remaining in the ducts and circulate it through the home. Default value is auto.
  • Cool Dissipation Time ‒ Sets the amount of time the fan will continue to run once the cooling is turned off. Running the fan expels any cooled air remaining in the ducts and circulate it through the home. Default value is auto.
  • Heat Minimum On Time ‒ Sets the minimum amount of time for the furnace/boiler to stay on during heating. If the heating is immediately cancelled after starting, the furnace/boiler will only turn off after the set time. Default and recommended value is 300 seconds.
  • Heat Differential Temperature ‒ Sets the minimum temperature differential before turning on the heat. This means the heat is only engaged when the temperature drops below the set point by the value set here. Default value is 0.5⁰F/0.3⁰C.
  • Cool Differential Temperature ‒ Sets minimum temperature differential before turning on the cooling. This means the air conditioning is only engaged when the temperature rises above the set point by the value set here. Default value is 0.5⁰F/0.3⁰C.
  • AC Overcool Max ‒ Set the value by which the air conditioner runs past the Cool set point to decrease humidity. Useful in a humid climate or high humidity levels in the home.
  • Temperature Correction ‒ Allows adjusting the temperature by +/- 10⁰ if the temperature sensor reading is slightly off.
  • Humidity Correction ‒ Allows adjusting the humidity by +/- 10% if the humidity sensor reading is slightly off.
  • Thermal Protect ‒ Sets the minimum temperature reading difference between sensors that trigger the algorithm to ignore the inaccurate sensor reading. If a temperature sensor reading is significantly outside of this range, it is ignored to prevent the heating or cooling from running excessively.

Common Compressor Settings

  • Compressor Minimum Cycle Off Time ‒ Sets the amount of time the compressor remains off between cycles. Default and recommended value is 300 seconds.
  • Compressor Minimum On Time ‒ Sets the minimum amount of time the compressor stays on. Default and recommended value is 300 seconds.
  • Compressor Minimum Outdoor Temperature ‒ Sets the minimum outdoor temperature below which the compressor will not run. Default value is 35⁰F/1.7⁰C. If you have a heat pump with auxiliary heating, when the outdoor temperature drops below this value, the thermostat will engage the auxiliary heat and rely on it to heat your home.
  • Please consult the heat pump/compressor manufacturer for the safest setting to avoid damage to your equipment.

Two Stage Compressor Settings

  • Compressor Stage 2 Temperature Delta ‒ Sets the minimum temperature difference from the desired set point before engaging the second stage of the compressor. Default value is auto.
  • Compressor Stage 1 Max Runtime ‒ Sets the maximum number of minutes running the first stage of the compressor before engaging the second stage.
  • Compressor Reverse Staging ‒ Enables the second stage of the compressor to be run if the current temperature is greater than the value set for the Compressor Stage 2 Temperature Delta setting. Once that value is reached, the thermostat switches back to the first stage from the second stage.
  • If this setting is enabled:
  • Compressor Stage 2 Temperature Delta needs to be enabled as well.
  • It cancels out Compressor Stage 1 Max Runtime.

Two Stage Furnace Settings

  • Heat Stage 2 Temperature Delta ‒ Sets the minimum number of degrees from the desired set point before engaging the second stage of furnace heat. Default value is auto.
  • Heat Stage 1 Max Runtime ‒ Sets the maximum number of minutes running the first stage of the furnace before engaging the second stage.

Aux Heat Settings (Heat Pump Systems with Aux Heat)

  • Aux Heat Max Outdoor Temperature ‒ Sets the minimum outdoor temperature above which the auxiliary heat will not run.
  • Aux Heat Minimum On Time ‒ Sets the minimum amount of time for the auxiliary heat to stay on during heating. If the heating is immediately cancelled after starting, the auxiliary heat will only turn off after the set time. Default and recommended value is 300 seconds.
  • Compressor to Aux Temperature Delta ‒ Sets the minimum number of degrees from the desired set point before engaging the auxiliary heat. Default value is auto.
  • Compressor to Aux Runtime ‒ Sets the minimum number of minutes the compressor runs before it switches to auxiliary heat.

Two Stage Aux Heat Settings

  • Aux Stage 2 Temperature Delta ‒ Sets the minimum number of degrees from the desired set point before engaging the second stage of aux heat.
  • Aux Stage 1 Max Runtime ‒ Sets the maximum number of minutes running the first stage of auxiliary heat before engaging the second stage.
  • Aux Reverse Staging ‒ Enables the second stage of the auxiliary heat to be run if the current temperature is greater than the value set for the Aux Stage 2 Temperature Delta setting. Once that value is reached, the thermostat switches back to the first stage from the second stage.
  • If this setting is enabled:
  • Aux Stage 2 Temperature Delta needs to be enabled as well.
  • It cancels out Aux Stage 1 Max Runtime.

5. How to Set Up Your ecobee Smart Thermostat

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