Installation guide
Welcome! If you have questions, we have answers. Visit ecobee.com/Support/ecobee3 for tutorials, how-to videos and FAQs. Technical support is also available by email or by phone: support@ecobee.com 1.877.932.6233 (North America) 1.647.428.2220 (International) Compatible systems ecobee3 works with most centralized residential heating and cooling systems.
Items included in box A ecobee3 thermostat with back plate and trim plate B Remote Sensor and stand C Power Extender Kit (optional) A D E F G B Large trim plate Screws and drywall plugs Information booklets Double-sided adhesives C wire labels Installation Guide Quick Start Guide D 4 E F G
Items you’ll need A Phillips screwdriver B Drill for mounting anchors with 3⁄₁₆ inch drill bit A B Tip: Review all the instructions before you start to ensure that there are no surprises during installation.
Overview of steps Installing your ecobee3 home climate system is easy. Just follow these steps and you’ll be done before you know it. Step 1 page 8 Power off your HVAC system Before doing anything else, power off your system. Step 2 page 9 Label the wires Label each wire with the provided stickers. Step 3 page 11 Install Power Extender Kit The PEK is not required for all installs. If you have a wire labelled “C” or “common”, skip to step 4.
Terminal descriptions G Fan Rc Cool transformer Rh Heat transformer O/B Heat pump reversing valve Y Y1, Y2: Used for 1 - 2 stages of conventional A/C or 1 - 2 stages of heat pump compressor W W1, W2: Used for 1 - 2 stages of conventional heat or 1 - 2 stages of auxiliary heat with heat pump C 24VAC common ACC Accessory (+/-): Used for dehumidifiers, humidifiers, ventilators, HRVs or ERVs Warning! ecobee3 is designed for 24VAC with a 2A maximum current.
Step 1. Power off your HVAC system Before doing anything else, power off your system. If your HVAC equipment doesn’t have a master switch, go to your circuit breaker box and turn off the breaker. Verify that the equipment is off by attempting to adjust the temperature your existing thermostat. The thermostat will show the temperature change but your cooling or heating should not come on. Power off your system either using the master switch or at the circuit breaker box.
Note: If you don’t have an existing thermostat, skip to step 3. Step 2. Label the wires Remove the cover from your old thermostat. Most snap off easily but some may be attached by screws. C H 110/120V Warning! If your old thermostat has 110/120V wires capped with wire nuts, it is a high voltage system and is not compatible with your ecobee3.
1. Look at the wires coming out of the wall. Take a picture for reference. 2. Using the old thermostat base as a guide, label each wire going into your old thermostat with the provided stickers. Discard any jumper wires between Rh, Rc, or R. Your ecobee3 does not need them. RC RH G Y W C 3. If you have used the wire label C, please skip step 3 and proceed directly to step 4. If you have NOT used the wire label C, proceed to Step 3: Install Power Extender Kit (PEK).
Note: The PEK is not required for all installs. If you have a wire labelled “C” at your thermostat, skip to step 4. Step 3. Install Power Extender Kit (PEK) Warning! This step requires you to work with wiring at your HVAC Control Board. If you are not comfortable working with your HVAC wiring, contact ecobee customer support or hire a professional installer. Some thermostats do not have a C-wire. The C-wire is used to reliably provide power to the thermostat.
The PEK requires your system to have the following wires: • 4 wires: W, Y, G, and R (or Rc or Rh), or • 3 wires: Y, G, and R (or Rc or Rh) 1. Remove the cover panel from your HVAC equipment. 2. Locate the control board and take a picture of it for reference. 3. Using the stickers provided, label the wires on the control board leading to the thermostat.
Power Extender Kit cover Power Extender Kit base Pre-installed wires to HVAC control board Wires connecting to thermostat G W Y C W R W G Y Y G R R 4. Open up the PEK. It has two rows of terminals (one side is for thermostat connections, the other side, pre-wired, is for the control board connections). 5. Disconnect the wires from the control board and reconnect them to the corresponding terminals on the thermostat side of the PEK. 6.
Step 4. Attach back plate to wall 1. Gently remove the old thermostat base by unscrewing it from the wall. Make sure the wires do not fall back into the wall. 2. Position the back plate of your ecobee3 on your wall, using the built-in level to make sure it’s straight. Mark the mounting holes on your wall in pencil. 3. Drill mounting holes for the drywall anchors. 4. The back plate must be used with a trim plate.
Insert the back plate using the tabs on the right as a guide. It will snap into place when correctly inserted. Secure the back plate Use the drywall anchors and screws provided to secure the back plate to the wall. Tip: ensure the back plate is straight by centering the bubble on the built-in level.
Step 5. Connect wires to ecobee3 Tip: If you are replacing an existing thermostat, use the stickers as a guide when inserting the wires into the ecobee3 terminal blocks. The wires from the wall should plug easily into the terminal blocks. To release a wire, press down on the lever. When installed correctly, the release lever of the terminal block will lower to indicate engagement. Tug on the wires to ensure they are engaged in the terminal.
If you need help with the wiring, refer to the reference diagrams at the back of this guide: • For conventional heating and cooling systems, see page 26. • For heat pumps (air or geothermal), see page 27. • For boilers or radiant heat systems, see page 28. • For accessory devices like dehumidifiers, humidifiers, or ventilators, see page 29. • For PEK installations, see page 30. Attach thermostat Push any excess wires back into the wall, and connect your ecobee3 thermostat to the base.
Step 6. Power on ecobee3 Power your HVAC equipment back on. Your ecobee3 will automatically power on. If your ecobee3 does not power on, see page 24 for troubleshooting. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 7. Install remote sensor Ordinary thermostats only read the temperature in one location. ecobee3 uses multiple temperature readings from remote sensors to deliver comfort more reliably. Pair the sensor at the thermostat 1. To activate your remote sensor, ensure your ecobee3 is awake by standing in front of it or touching the screen. 2. Pull the plastic tab on your remote sensor and it will power on and connect to your ecobee3 automatically.
3. Your ecobee3 will detect your remote sensor and ask you to name it. You can verify a successful connection on your thermostat. If your sensor does not connect with the ecobee3, simply remove the battery, wait 2 minutes, and re-insert the battery to restart the detection process. To access the battery, pop the remote sensor back cover off using the ridges provided. To attach the remote sensor stand, remove the smaller back cover and pop the stand into place.
Find a location Place your remote sensor at a height of approx. 5ft / 1.5m in an open, high-traffic area like a living room or upstairs hallway (for Smart Home/Away) or a room of your choice like your baby’s room (for Follow Me). If the sensor is out of range of your ecobee3 (approx. 45 ft / 13.7 m) the thermostat will show N/A, meaning it cannot connect to the remote sensor. When in range, they will automatically reconnect. 5ft (1.5m) Rotate sensor so bee points up to the right.
Install the remote sensor Using the materials provided, install the remote sensor in one of three ways: Option 1. Attach to a wall using the screw provided. Option 2. Attach to a wall using the adhesive provided. Option 3. Place on a flat surface using the stand provided. Tip: Make sure your remote sensor has an unobstructed view of the room. Congratulations, you’re done! Register your ecobee3 at ecobee.
Menu options To access the thermostat menu, touch the screen and press System Selects mode of operation: heat/cool/auto/off, fan on/auto Schedule Configures temperature according to time and day Comfort Settings Configures temperature for different occupancy states (away, home, sleep) Vacation Configures temperature for a specific future time period Settings Configures display preferences (°F/°C, date, brightness), wi-fi, and equipment operating parameters (thresholds, sensors, etc) Reminders Displays any r
Troubleshooting If your ecobee3 does not power on, please check the following: 1. Check that all wires are properly inserted into the terminal blocks at the thermostat. Tug on the wires to ensure they are not loose 2. Some HVAC equipment has a safety switch that cuts off power to the equipment if the equipment cover panel is not closed properly. Please ensure the cover panel of the equipment is closed properly 3.
Wiring diagrams The following pages provide wiring diagrams for common HVAC equipment configurations. Need help with your ecobee3 wiring? Find how-to videos and tutorials on ecobee.
Conventional heating and cooling (up to 2 stages each) RH Rc C G Y2 Y1 W2 (AUX2) W1 (AUX1) ACC+ O/B ACC– Y1 Y2 C Air conditioner Stage 2 heat and cool if applicable 26 Y1 Y2 W1 W2 R C G Furnace Note: Do not jumper Rc or Rh, ecobee3 does this automatically. R can go into either Rc or Rh terminals on your ecobee3.
Heat pump (air or geothermal) with auxiliary heat RH Rc C G Y2 Y1 W2 (AUX2) W1 (AUX1) ACC+ O/B O/B W1 W2 Y1 Y2 R C Heat pump Stage 2 compressor and auxiliary heat if applicable ACC– O/B W1 W2 Y1 Y2 G R C Air handler Note: Do not jumper Rc or Rh, ecobee3 does this automatically. R can go into either Rc or Rh terminals on your ecobee3.
Boiler or radiant system with air handler and conventional cooling or heat pump RH Rc C G Y2 Y1 W2 (AUX2) W1 (AUX1) ACC+ O/B Air handler ACC– Y1 Y2 R C Y1 Y2 C O/B* W1 R W2 Air conditioner or Heat pump Boiler Stage 2 heat and cool if applicable *Reversing valve for heat pumps only 28 G Note: Do not jumper Rc or Rh, ecobee3 does this automatically. R can go into either Rc or Rh terminals on your ecobee3.
Accessory devices The ecobee3 can control an accessory HVAC device like a humidifier, dehumidifier, or ventilation device from its ACC terminals. If you have 2 wires at the thermostat from the accessory, then your accessory is externally powered. If you have only 1 wire then it is internally powered. Accessory device Option 1. Externally powered wiring Option 2.
PEK thermostat wiring The R wire needs to go into the Rc terminal on your ecobee3 Rc G Y1 W1 (AUX1) R Wires coming out the wall and connecting to HVAC equipment 30 G Y W
Approvals This product was designed and built in accordance to RoHS directive 2002/95/EC and contains no hazardous substances as defined by this directive. FCC Compliance Statement This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B digital devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
FCC ID: WR9EBSTATZBE3 IC: 7981A-EBSTATZBE3 Warning: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by ecobee Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. 3-Year Limited Warranty ecobee warrants that for a period of three (3) years from the date of purchase by the consumer (“Customer”), the ecobee3 (the “Product”) shall be free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service.
Service, 477 Richmond St West, Suite 210, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3E7, Canada. If the returned Product is found by ecobee to be defective and Customer is otherwise eligible to receive a replacement product, no amount shall be charged to Customer’s credit card; or (c) ship the defective Product directly to ecobee, in which case Customer shall contact ecobee directly at 1-877-932-6233, so ecobee can make the required shipping arrangements.
allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. ecobee’s responsibility for malfunctions and defects in materials and workmanship is limited to repair and replacement as set forth in this warranty statement.
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