Customer Reviews for ecobee ecobee3 Lite Programmable Smart Thermostat works with Alexa, Google Assistant - Energy Star Certified

I really love this thing so far! It was a bit Challenging to hook up due to my wiring on my end. However, now that it’s set up I love the fact that I can control it from my phone and it’s easy to operate.

Awesome product very good really enjoyed Using regularly

After a quick install this thing is already saving me money!

I narrowed down my smart thermostat choices to this one because of: the 2 year warranty, thinnest sleek design and no intrusive privacy voice service. Install was easy as my house is pre-wired with a 'C' wire. Set up was entertaining and gratifying. The inside temp is fairly accurate, much better than my previous non-smart thermostat. I dinged this by one star solely due to the customer support and website. Much to be desired! I was close to the point of returning this but after much back and forth with customer support all is well. Smaller complaint, the mounting base plate could have two more screw hole provisions as this is mounted to dry wall and not a stud. The filter monitor alert is confounding too. Another minor complaint, the touch screen LCD slide could be wider to change temps. Also not impressed with the (motion activated) back light display and outside weather accuracy. But overall quite pleased especially after the local utility companies incentives.

I love the Ecobee, and definitely recommend it. It's way more accurate than my old Honeywell. The external sensors help keep the temperature even through out the main floor. It wasn't exactly plug and play for me as my boiler/radiant floor heating system didn't have a C-wire to tap into. I Googled myself and used their tech support for installation advice. After figuring out the wiring challenges with a work around done (took me 2hrs) to have my Ecobee up and running. So it could be an easy to advanced difficulty DIY project depending on your heating/cooling system.

Works well with Alexa, looks great and is very stable.

You might think it complicated to install, however with the ecobee video provided step-by-step installation make it easy. So once you try it and you will love the feature and never wanted to go back.

I'm really happy with this thermostat. It replaced a dying programmable battery powered thermostat. My house only has 4 wires going to the thermostat. This means no C wire. Ecobee has the best solution for this because it comes with a power extender kit that you install at the furnace. The instructions on how to install everything are excellent.

Love my Ecobee, Ease of use. Great technology, love my sensors.

This product exceeded my expectations, but what I realized is the best is the support service, it's really amazing.

I've had this thermostat for just about two months now and have been trying to learn most of its features since then. The first thing you must know is that this device requires a C-wire for power since it does not have a backup battery. This may be a challenge or a problem for a person who has little-to-none knowledge of how HVAC systems work as it will require the user to run an included adapter (Power Extender Kit) from your HVAC system which will eventually provide power to the Ecobee3 Lite thermostat. The instructions are very straight forward but again, if you do not feel comfortable opening your HVAC system and connecting the wires to the PEK, I would recommend to hire a licensed technician to do the work or buy a different smart thermostat that does not require a C-wire. Otherwise, the installation takes roughly half an hour (which is what it took me to complete with no prior experience of replacing/installing a thermostat). Out of the box, you get the thermostat, wire labels, a white backplate (in case you need to cover any holes from your previous thermostat), the Power Extender Kit (PEK, in case your thermostat does not have a C-wire), a backplate (to connect the wires), a couple of screws & wall anchors, and the installation manual. You will need a precision screw driver to remove wires from the old thermostat, a 3/16" drill bit, a phillips screw driver and a drill to facilitate the installation. If you do not have a cordless/corded drill, you can still get around with the installation but will take some additional time & effort. Remember to always follow safety procedures before working with electricity around your house to avoid serious injuries. Now onto the features I've tried so far. The Ecobee3 Lite supports a wide variety of third-party integrations such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Home Kit, Google Assistant to name a few. This gives a wide range of users to be able to control their smart thermostat with their voice, smart phone or automation. When you are initializing setting up the device, you are greeted with an Ecobee welcome message. You then have to give it a name, configure your Wireless network for communication, and most importantly, register your device. The device has three different comfort settings; Home, Away, and Sleep. These settings can be modified to your needs which can then be added to your weekly schedule with a specific time to run them. If there is one annoying thing I do not like so far is the fact that you cannot remove all comfort settings for a specific day from your weekly schedule. It must have at least one comfort setting to run unless you turn off the HVAC system from the thermostat. The thermostat by default comes with the "Smart Recovery" feature enabled, which Ecobee support said this feature allows your thermostat to understand your AC/heating pattern in how long it takes for your home to get to the desired temperature from your schedule. The thermostat takes into account the performance of the HVAC equipment relative to the effects of the inside temperature & predicts how long it will take to bring your home to a given temperature. This basically means that if you have your schedule set to "Away" mode from 8AM - 5PM (to be within a certain temperature range before it turns on your AC/heater), and then starting at 5PM you have it set to "Home" (again to be at a certain temperature range), it can still turn on your AC/heater during the "Away" mode in order to get to the desired temperature by the time you get home at 5PM, for instance. I do not like this "Smart Recovery" feature as the purpose of the "Away" schedule I set up is so that the A/C is never on while I'm not home. If you are like me, you can turn off this feature directly from the thermostat by going to Main Menu > Settings > Preferences > Heating/Cooling Smart Recovery. I also like the fact that their software is very similar across all platforms (mobile apps, website & thermostat screen), this makes it a lot easier to navigate around without having to learn it all over again when using a different device. You can also restrict access control to the thermostat by setting up a code in order to access the system. This is great if you have kids in the house or if using in a shared environment such as an office where only certain individuals may have access to change its settings without having to install a lock box on. The Ecobee3 Lite supports the proprietary room sensors, which can be added to different rooms and balance the temperature around your house. This is probably more suitable for two-story homes or bigger homes where temperature ranges drastically at certain times of the day. If you have a newer home with an open-floor plan, these sensors may not be very useful. Below is a summary of the Pros and Cons I have found out so far: Pros: - Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple's Home Kit & Google Assistant. - Uses geofencing to detect when you enter/exit a certain zone (configured by user) which will either trigger the thermostat to turn on or off. - Wireless connectivity compatible to 802.11 b/g/n @ 2.4GHz - 3-year warranty (that's two more years than the Nest) - Compatible with most HVAC systems (see Ecobee's website for additional info) - Schedule "Vacation" mode to overwrite your weekly schedule and keep HVAC system off if necessary. - Intuitive & seamless integration of their software across all platforms (smartphone app, online page, & thermostat's home screen) - Fast-response & bright touchscreen. - Access controls allows only those individuals with the configured code to change its settings. - Supports room sensors to add around the house and balance the temperature. - Useful data reports about your home's temperature & system information. - Can set reminders to change furnace filters & HVAC maintenance. - Great design. Cons: - Does not come with a backup battery, hence requiring a C-wire (this may be a problem for older homes). - Cannot create additional custom settings. - Cannot remove custom settings from weekly schedule. - Does not support dehumidifiers (this is more of a personal preference)

I have my ecobee3 lite for 10 months now and it has taught me how to save on my heating costs. I also love the geotracking feature .

I had Ecobee for the last 3 years and from the moment I got it and installed it, the comfort increased in the house considerably because of the remote sensors and the algorithm that controls the temperature. Plus it looks great!

I bought a farmhouse in a rural town late last year but I still wanted some modern conveniences like a connected thermostat. A friend suggested either this one or the Honeywell T5. I preferred the look of this one. He guided me through what was a pretty easy install. My system has a C wire but Ecobee includes a module you can connect to your system that in essence creates a C wire for you. I didn't need it but it's nice they include it. The entire install took about thirty minutes. This thermostat guides you through everything and there are a ton of settings/options. It can work based on your location or you can set a schedule. There's a vacation setting and many others. I have an iPhone 8 Plus so I am using this with Apple's HomeKit. It's nice to just tell Siri to change the temperature without having to even get out of bed.

Many more settings can be set, I like much better than Nest. I also like the Ecobee app(s) much more than Nest app. The best thing about it to me is it's not learning, it does exactly what YOU want it to do when YOU want it to do it. Performs better than I expected it to.

Replaced my Nest with Ecobee 3 Lite. Install was about 15 minutes. Nest t-stat would have the A/C on for more than 30-45 minutes after it reached set point. Ecobee turns off about 2-3 minutes after it reaches set point. Can't wait to see the difference on the electric bill. :-)

I have been using this for several months now and I must say that I am impressed with this thermostat and the functionality that goes with it. The programming options with this unit is pretty endless. If you want to set a single temperature similar to old thermostats you can do that easily. If you want to have the AC/Heater of while your at work and kick on just before you get home, you can program that as well. You also have the ability to update programming from the web portal, or in app. as well as control the device. very cool. The online portal (hive) also gives you great analytics to see how efficiently you are using the system as it monitors the outdoor temperature via online to show you how it's performing. The room sensors also help to monitor the temperature around the house, though they need to be somewhat close to the thermostat or you will get emails constantly telling you that the sensor is out of range or disconnected. Set up was a breeze for this system. If you only have a 4 wire system the Ecobee comes with an adapter that will help convert to a 5 wire and provide the thermostat with the needed C wire to power the thermostat. The thermostat has a nice touch screen and all the network access is done via the thermostat and then registered online once the thermostat gives you a registration code. Far less painless than previous wi-fi enabled thermostats I have used in the past. overall a great Unit.

Super pleased with this smart thermostat. I really appreciate how the included room sensors help the main A/C unit adjust to a variety of room options. There are settings from within the app to allow the room sensors to take an average of the various temperatures or "follow" a user room to room and adjust the temperature based on where the person is. Really smart. The sensors are also very small and easy to hide. But this item gets 5 stars for the ease of installation. I mean, whoever wrote the installation manual should win a medal. It was extremely thorough and helped me install the included power extender kit since my thermostat didn't have a C wire. I had no issues with opening up the A/C unit and playing with the wires since the guide made very clear what I needed to do. It worked without a hitch and my 8 year old was extremely impressed when he saw me doing HVAC wiring. The unit itself works well and the app is pretty smooth. We've noticed the house is much more comfortable since the room sensors ensure that the temperature reaches the set level for whatever room we are in. I have the unit connected to our Wink system so I can access the controls both through the Ecobee app & the Wink app. Overall, super impressed with this unit and would easily recommend it to anyone needing a smart thermostat.

This is the best install package I have seen for a thermostat. It is step by step (almost like choose your own adventure style page turning, based on answers.) I did not expect the adaptor for lack of a common wire. This is useful when wiring a 4 wire setup with an older system, that doesn't have the common power wire out. I temporarily hooked this up ignoring my common wire, as this was new to me. Worked fine. The only issue is if you don't have the space behind to install it. (See picture for size.) Setup to WiFi was easy and you create an Ecobee account if you don't have one. The Smartphone App is a mirror of the interface on the unit. Alexa integration doesn't give you a large array of options. I can set temperature (as a set and hold) and turn it up and down certain degrees. There is no mode changes. I'm not too bummed about that, as a hands free control would generally just be to say you want it cooler or hotter. But it seems like there could be a little more there. It is nice to have the thermostat shoot for best fit of the important rooms, with the remote sensors, not just the temperature at the thermostat. It also allow you to change vent openings for trying to balance a two level home. Much easier install than expected. I didn't need all the instructions, as I've lost count of thermostat installs. But for the homeowner that is now to this, it is nice to see that level of support. No real complains on the unit.

I have never owned a "smart home" type thermostat. Up until the time I received this thermostat, I had only had old style programmable thermostats where you can set it for different times. This thermostat is much more versatile than anything I've ever had. My HVAC system is fairly old so the installation was complicated by that a little bit. However, the Ecobee technical support is amazing and they walked me through the installation process. Once the installation was complete, I was up and running. This thermostat can be used with a free app you can install on your smart phone which I did. This particular unit came with two additional sensors that can be placed in different areas of your home. My HVAC system is only one zone so the sensors are only used so you can see what the temperature is in various places in the home. When you first begin using the thermostat, there is a setup process so you can hook it up to your wi-fi (which allows you to control it with your smart phone). It also allows you to get weather reports on the thermostat. The setup process was easy and only took about 15 minutes. Once you have everything set up, you can turn your HVAC system on manually or you can program it to turn on at certain times. You can also turn it on by using your Amazon Echo or Apple Siri. I'm fairly sure I haven't figured out all the features yet but I am very impressed with how versatile this thermostat is. I love the fact that I can turn the heat on from my phone while lying in bed. I definitely recommend this thermostat.

Installation: The manual and website have instructions on installing the Ecobee3 Lite on most modern combines heat/cool systems. I have an older, basic 2 wire battery operated heat only boiler and thermostat, so I had to install a 24 volt transformer to power the Ecobee3 Lite. If you have a similar setup, look for videos on how to connect it to a transformer on Youtube, as the Ecobee website and manuals don't cover it. If you have other wire setups but no C wires, they show you how to connect it using the included Power Extender Kit (PEK). That may require pulling wires from your thermostat all the way to your boiler which may mean hiring a HVAC professional. I found powering the Ecobee 3 Lite from an outlet and 24 volt transformer I installed near it was much easier for my setup. The unit rests flush on the wall if your wires come out of a hole in the wall and into your present thermostat. If your present thermostat wires are outside your wall, as mine were, the face plates and thermostat won't fit flush against the wall as there are no grooves on the back in which to run them. This is just a cosmetic issue and won't affect the functioning of the unit. Wi-Fi Setup: Connecting your Ecobee3 to your network is pretty easy. However, note that you will need to register it and go through the Ecobee website if you want to manage your thermostat using a PC or mobile device. This came as somewhat of a surprise to me, as I'm not a fan of that model. Due to privacy and security concerns I would have preferred to use Wi-Fi to connect to the unit locally without going over the Internet and through the Ecobee servers. Of course, you can always just stand in front of your thermostat and set what you want directly on it. But, that is not as convenient as sitting with your tablet or laptop and doing it. Website Interface: The system comes with 3 daily time settings instead of the traditional 4 (Morning, Day, Evening, Night). You can add others, but the online interface for adding them is not very intuitive. So, if you are used to a traditional programmable thermostat, you will need to get used to this one. First, you have to create what Ecobee refers to as a Comfort Setting, and then add what they refer to as an Activity. Traditional thermostats I have used combine those into one step. Aside from these issues, the Ecobee3 Lite is a nice thermostat. I have only had it a couple of weeks, so I can't speak to its longevity. However, it is very convenient and I am very pleased with it.

We have had a "digital thermostat" for as long as I can remember. We even swapped it out for the ole circular old time thermostat when we moved into our 'new home' four years ago. Our home was built in 2000, and frankly I was surprised that it didn't have a digital thermostat to begin with. They were once considered to be a major advancement to the technology of thermostats. I always liked having a "hold button' and got to digitally choose exactly what temp I wanted the house. Well it seems that now we can throw away what we USED to know about 'thermostat technology! Because this really is the newest and best way to control the temp of your home. As I like to say, "We have entered the 'digital speak ...it and it shall be" age!!!" And yes, it is GLORIOUS! The EcoBee 3 Lite is nothing short of amazing for us. But, if I had to get down to ONE thing and one thing only that I stands out as far as 'life changing' or altering the old, it would be: That I can see what the room temp is without reaching for my glasses!!! (And I can change the app without them too!!!) Hey in a world of cruel jokes, 'aging eyes' is probably one of the hardest for me to get used to. It really stinks - and I'm reminded hourly how my eyes don't work the way they used to. And because of this, with the old thermostat, I honestly could not see the room temp while sitting next to it in my chair (yes, I was literally next to it and could not read the temp display). And yet even worse for me was that, if I wanted to change ANYTHING about the room temp, I had to "go get my glasses". That is ALL OVER now! Not only can I clearly SEE the temp, but I can tell Alexa to change it as well! If I don't want to 'wake up Alexa', I can grab my iPad, and glance at the app, and see everything about the weather, temps of the house, the humidity of both inside and out, or even if my husband is in the other room! Because the EcoBee 3 Lite now works with room sensors, they can tell you what rooms are occupied or not. At the end of the year, it will give us a breakdown of exactly how warm or cold it was in our home, and what we can do to make things better! It helps you to know what your costs are for heating and cooling too! To make things even BETTER, now we can tell it to stop heating or cooling from a phone if we just may have happened to leave for vacation, or any lengthy time without turning off the A/C! Heck, if it you want to make sure that it's ice cold when you get home from vacation, it can do that too! All from an app! To be 100% honest, there are SO many neat things about the EcoBee 3 Lite (and the app), that I myself haven't even figured out ALL of the tricks as of yet! What I do know was how easy it was to install! *** Of course we turned off the breaker to the HVAC unit before we started. A useful tip anytime you are working with electronics, is a good idea. A quick and easy to understand guide, to get you through attaching the electronics to the HVAC unit, was accompanied with the EcoBee3 in the enclosed paperwork. But you can also go online to their website if you need any additional support. The Customer Service is STELLAR! Installation was a simple unplug - and replug with the new, to start getting it to communicate with the EcoBee 3 Lite wall unit. The wall unit itself was also extremely simple to install. Once it was in and "communicating" with the HVAC, the app literally takes you step by step through the optimal setup mode for you maximum comfort levels. It asks you what your optimal temp is for winter and summer, and you simply let it go. The only time we have had to stop the automation, was when we want to have our windows open, we just put everything on 'hold' or just turn it off if they are going to be open for a longer amount of time. Perhaps one day they will have a "windows open" setting, so we can just tell it to doing anything until we close them up, but hey, some things still need a nudge for advancement. Maybe it might become a part of a new setting: "Windows Open" ! It really is the ONLY thing the app seems to be missing! And that I can handle! Simple, sleek and easy to learn. I like that! I for one don't see why only one name comes to mind when it comes to electronic thermostats. We all know that "other name" that starts with "N" and rhymes with west, but why? This unit costs less, and in MY opinion is much easier to read too! I love that it works with room sensors as well! Why pay more for no reason other than name? Besides, I like being a part of the "Hive"!! If you install an EcoBee 3Lite, you too could be added as a member of the Hive! Now I just need to paint the wall where the old HUGE thermostat used to hang - I never knew how much wall space that thing was taking up until I hung up a reasonably sized thermostat!

We've had our fair share of smart thermostats in our home, but we have found all of them lacking--up until this point. We were excited to try out the ecobee because it is compatible with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT. We're on a constant quest for improved home automation and the ecobee fits perfectly with the other products we already have installed. The instructions were very clear and comprehensive. The thermostat required additional wiring at the site of the furnace since we do not have a C wire running to our thermostat. Although this might sound intimidating, the process was quick and simple. Bonus: we are now able to use our whole house fan, which was not possible with our two previous smart thermostats. Installation was simple and the app is very intuitive to use. We love the addition of room sensors at no extra cost. These sensors provide more accurate temperature information, especially helpful in a two floor house with an addition. We can now get accurate readings, not only at the thermostat unit, but in other areas of our home, as well. This is great for monitoring the temperatures in our upstairs bedrooms and family room addition. The sensors can be automated to function as motion sensors and provide customized temperature settings when the room is in use or vacant. All of this is easy to change from the app or from the unit itself. We are supremely happy with this thermostat and I think we'll stick with this unit for a long time! If you're interested in home automation and customization (especially IFTTT), or controlling hot and cold spots in your home, the ecobee is the perfect solution for your home.

The ECOBEE 3 was returned for an ECOBEE 5 or that controls my multi speed air handler blower moter. Better in house humidity control.

Just what I was expecting with this second unit. It’s used on my main floor for just heat, no HVAC. Judged needed a 24volt plug in transformer. Ran the power up to the thermostat and it works fine. Ecobee’s phone and guidance was a bit more involved than it needed to be.

Replaced an existing thermostat of same kind, plug and go, easy!

I was very excited about this product Installation was a breeze. On start everything was okay then after running a bit it went south quickly my furnace started making a clicking sound. Of course I shut it down quickly and called Ecobee Support, nice guys but did not have a answer on the problem so item got returned. So I tested to 2 other units also simple Installation ended up using Google nest thermostat that is running fine and I hope the Ecobee did not damage my furnace.