Threshold Settings For Ecobee Thermostats

If you really want to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system then it is recommended that you configure them accordingly. Doing this will not only increase the efficiency but will also prevent your equipment to a greater extend.

For this task you need to access the threshold settings so that the changes can be made accordingly. In this article, we will guide you through all the important information that is necessary for your knowledge like the time we did when you wanted a helping hand in resolving the calibrating issue of your thermostat and also the rebooting issue of Ecobee.

HOW TO ACCESS THRESHOLD MENU?

You will have to configure the threshold settings using your thermostat only, neither the web portal nor the mobile app. So to access the threshold menu, follow the following steps.

Main Menu
Settings
Installation Settings

Thresholds

THRESHOLD STAGING OPTION:

If we talk about the configure staging options then we will get to know that there are only 2; automatic and manual. By default, Ecobee thermostats have this setting set to “Automatic”.

AUTOMATIC STAGING OPTION:

When the staging option is set to automatic then the thermostat uses simple algorithms for temperature controlling. These algorithms determine the need to swing the temperature. Here “swing” refers to the need when to call for cooling or heating and when to stage to a higher stage as well.

MANUAL STAGING OPTION:

In manual staging option the user is given additional threshold options. In these additional options the user is able to set the staging parameters according to his/her own preferences.

AUTOMATIC STAGING WITH A HEAT PUMP SYSTEM:

Ecobee heat pump settings come in handy when you have it equipped with an auxiliary heat option. Moreover, if you have this heat pump system and automatic staging is selected then you will be presented Aux Savings Optimization menu. This menu will have lots of options which are mentioned below.

Minimum Category ➜ Comfort over savings ➜ 0.5F / 0.3C

Basic Category ➜ Comfort over savings ➜ 1F / 0.5C

Balanced Category ➜ Balanced savings and comfort ➜ 1.5F / 0.8C

Super Category ➜ Savings over comfort ➜ 2F / 1.1C

Maximum Category ➜ Savings over comfort ➜ 2.5F / 1.4C

However the best Ecobee settings for heat pump is the one which belongs to “Super Category” class.

ECOBEE THRESHOLD SETTINGS:

In this section of the article we will try to inform you about the best Ecobee threshold settings which you can adopt or configure them in order to get the maximum benefit from your thermostat.

AUTO MODE:

If you have this mode enabled then your thermostat will make sure to engage both the units of your system i.e. heating and cooling units both. It will bring the heating unit into working when the temperature feels a bit cold and it will bring the cooling unit into working when the temperature feels a bit hot. This mode is the default mode in your system. Auto mode is super beneficial especially if you live in a region where the temperature keeps on changing.

DEAD BAND:

Dead band is another threshold option also known as Heat/Cool Minimum Delta. This is the temperature difference (minimum) between the set points of heat and cool in auto mode. In auto mode you are not able to set the temperature range because it is pre-set. Mostly the range lies about 5F / 2.8C. You cannot go below this range, however the lowest possible range which auto mode offers is 2F / 1.1C. This range is useful from preventing your Ecobee from short-cycling.

HEAT DISSIPATION DURATION:

The first thing which you need to know about this setting is that it is only configurable if your thermostat is set to manual configure setting.

This setting involves the working of your system’s fan. The time duration of the running of fan after the heat has been turned off is basically heat dissipation duration. Heat dissipation setting is set to auto by default. If you notice that the fan has been running longer than expected then you can adjust the value as well.

COOL DISSIPATION DURATION:

This setting is very much similar to heat dissipation duration setting. However, the difference is only of the call that has been made. In this setting, the duration of fan after the cooling has been turned off is recorded. You can also adjust the values accordingly in this setting as well.

HEAT DIFFERENTIAL TEMPERATURE:

If we talk about Ecobee temperature differential then we will come up with 2 options; heat differential temperature and cool differential temperature. Here we will talk about heat differential temperature. The default value of this setting is set to 0.5F / 0.3C. What this setting will do is that it will wait for your room temperature to drop below this point before engaging your heat. This setting is beneficial because it prevents your equipment from short-cycling and also conserves energy.

COOL DIFFERENTIAL TEMPERATURE:

This setting is similar to the previous one. Only instead of heating now we will be dealing with cooling. The default temperature value is set to 0.5F / 0.3C. When your room temperature crosses this value then your system will start its cooling process.

AC OVERCOOL MAX:

As the name suggests, this setting allows the AC to cross the set cool point temperature. Once crossed, the AC does the overcooling resulting in lesser humidity. This setting comes in handy when you live in an area with lots of humidity. This setting controls that humidity with the help of overcooling.

HEAT MINIMUM ON TIME:

The next setting to discuss is heat minimum on time. This is the minimum duration for which the boiler/furnace will remain ON. This is set to 5 minutes by default. If the furnace/boiler is going through this time duration and the call for heat is made then that call will be cancelled. After the set value i.e. 5 minutes have been completed only then the furnace will respond to the call.

TEMPERATURE CORRECTION SETTING:

If you see your Ecobee’s temperature sensors being slightly off then you can adjust this by adding or subtracting 10 degrees for accurate reading.

HUMIDITY CORRECTION SETTING:

If you see your Ecobee’s humidity sensors being slightly off then you can adjust this by adding or subtracting 10% for accurate reading.

THERMAL PROTECT:

Thermal protect setting allows the sensors of your Ecobee thermostat to ignore the inaccurate reading. If the sensors of your thermostat measures the temperature outside the set temperature range then it means the reading is inaccurate. This inaccurate reading will be ignored so that your heating and cooling units don’t work excessively.

COMPRESSOR MINIMUM OFF CYCLE TIME:

This setting calculates the minimum time duration for which your compressor remains off after one cycle. The default time for one cycle is 5 minutes, which means that after completing one cycle, the compressor will remain off for 5 minutes straight. After this time, any call which has been made will be responded.

COMPRESSOR MINIMUM ON TIME:

This setting is exact opposite of the previous setting. In this setting, the minimum time duration for which the compressor remains ON is calculated. It means the compressor will complete this time before turning OFF. The set value for this is 5 minutes.

COMPRESSOR STAGE 2 TEMPERATURE DELTA:

Compressor stage 2 temperature delta setting is set to auto by default. The second stage of the compressor is engaged by measuring the minimum number of degrees from the set temperature values.

COMPRESSOR STAGE 1 MAX RUNTIME:

The minimum time for running the stage 1 before engaging the second stage of compressor is known to be compressor stage 1 max runtime.

HEAT STAGE 1 MAX RUNTIME:

The minimum time for running the stage 1 before engaging the second stage of furnace is known to be heat stage 1 max runtime.

HEAT STAGE 2 TEMPERATURE DELTA:

The minimum temperature from the set temperature value before engaging the second stage of furnace is known to be heat stage 2 temperature delta.

AUX HEAT MAX OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE:

If the outdoor temperature is above the set temperature value then the auxiliary heat will not run and you will start receiving certain alerts. If you come across a similar situation then it is better to lower this setting.

AUX HEAT MINIMUM ON TIME:

This is the minimum time for your auxiliary heat that will remain turned ON during a aux heat call. The time value set for this setting is 5 minutes. If any call is being made during this period then it is immediately cancelled. After completing the required time period, it will be responded.

COMPRESSOR TO AUX TEMPERATURE DELTA:

In this option the auxiliary heat is turned ON by measuring the current temperature and the set or desired temperature. The default setting of this is set to auto so if you are receiving warnings or alerts then make the changes accordingly.

COMPRESSOR TO AUX RUNTIME:

The time duration (minimum) for which the compressor will run before switching to auxiliary heat is said to be compressor to aux runtime. By default, it is set to auto.

AUX STAGE 2 TEMPERATURE DELTA:

The minimum temperature from the desired one before actually engaging the second stage of aux heat is said to be aux stage 2 temperature delta.

AUX STAGE 1 RUNTIME:

The maximum time required before engaging into the second stage of aux heat is known to be aux stage 1 runtime.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Threshold settings play a very important role if you observe carefully. Using these settings in the right way will not only increase the efficiency of your system but will also keep your equipment safe for a longer period of time.

FAQS:

Q – What Is AUX Reverse Staging?
A – In aux reverse staging, the auxiliary heat is enabled before the heat pump heating is staged. There are certain changes that need to be made for this setting to work.

Set compressor to aux temperature delta to any value other than the auto
Set the aux stage 2 temperature delta value greater than the compressor to aux temperature delta value

Q – What Is Compressor Minimum Outdoor Temperature?
A – This is the minimum outdoor temperature below which the compressor will stop working. If the compressor runs below this temperature then the equipment will be damaged real bad.

Q – Can We Adjust Ecobee Heat Pump Settings?
A – Yes, you can always configure/adjust Ecobee heat pump settings according to your preferences.