How to install your ecobee3 lite
be happy You have joined a growing community of people who want to conserve energy, save money and do something good for our planet. Download the ecobee app for customized installation instructions.
First things first. Here’s what you’ll find in the box.
The steps in this section will help you decide which install guide you’ll use to complete the installation. These icons indicate useful tips and important reminders. Start Your Install Guide 1 or Guide 2? Start here to find out.
ST E P 1 ST E P 2 Power off your Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system by using the master switch or circuit breaker box. This is important for your safety. Confirm your system is off by turning on your heat (during winter) or your AC (during summer). Wait a few minutes - you should not feel air coming from your vents. ON OFF OR ON OFF TIP: Look for your master switch or circuit breaker box in the basement, attic, utility closet, or behind a wall panel near the thermostat.
ST E P 3 CH E CK PO INT: CO MPATI BI LI TY Remove your old thermostat cover from the wall. Does your old thermostat’s backplate have any of these indicators? OR 110 VAC OR WARNING 120 VAC OR HIGH VOLTAGE 240 VAC L1 L2 YES NO Sadly, you might not be compatible TIP: Many thermostats simply pop off or unclip from the base, while others may have screws that you will need to remove. You can double check here: ecobee.
ST E P 4 CH E CK PO INT: C W IRE Take a picture of the wires connected to the terminals of your old thermostat. You may need to reference this photo later on. Do you have a C wire connected to your old thermostat? NO YES OR RC RH YES WARNING: ecobee3 lite is designed for 24VAC with a 2A maximum current. Do not connect it to line (high) voltage or millivolt systems.
G U IDE 1 Install your ecobee with a C wire Guide 1 If you have a C wire, it will power your ecobee. You won’t need the Power Extender Kit included in the box.
C HEC KP O I N T: DO N ’ T S K I P AH E AD Have you completed steps 1 - 4 in the ‘Start Your Install’ section? ST E P 5 Carefully disconnect and label the wires from your old thermostat one at a time, using the labels provided. Rc 1 W/W Y/Y1 RC RH YES Continue to the next page NO Return to step 1 in ‘Start Your Install’ TIP: If you have a jumper between Rc, Rh or R, leave it alone. Only label the wires that run from your wall into a terminal block.
ST E P 6 ST E P 7 Unscrew the mounting plate of your old thermostat to remove it from the wall. Decide if you want to use the trim plate with your ecobee. The trim plate is useful if you want to hide marks or holes left on the wall by your old thermostat. 1 W/W RC Y/Y1 RC RH Rc G W1 Y2 W2 O/B WARNING: Be careful, as some thermostats may contain mercury. Recycle your old thermostat safely with your local hazardous waste facility.
ST E P 9 If using the trim plate, align the mounting holes on the trim plate and backplate and press them into place together. Pull the wires through the hole in the middle of the backplate and then attach the backplate to the wall using the drywall anchors and screws provided. Y Y/ 1 ST E P 8 : OPT I ON A L W/W1 G Rc C TIP: Use a 3/16” drill bit to drill a hole for the drywall plugs.
ST E P 1 0 C HE C KP O I N T: I NS E RT YO U R R W IR E (S ) Do you have more than one R wire? (That includes R, Rc, and Rh) NO Y1 Y2 O/B W /W W1 1 Y/Y 1 C RH Rc C G G RH RH RH G OR C Rc Y1 Y2 W2 PEK O/B W /W W1 G 1 Y/Y 1 C W2 PEK Y1 Y2 Rc Rc R G Rc G RH C C G YES Insert your remaining wires into the side (not the front) of their corresponding terminal blocks.
ST E P 1 1 ST E P 1 2 Tug on the wires gently to ensure they are securely connected. Carefully push any excess wire back into the hole and ensure there are no drafts coming from the hole(s) in the wall. RH C W 1 W 2 PE K TIP: When a wire has been connected correctly, the lever on that block will lower. TIP: Large holes behind your thermostat will affect temperature readings. Prevent drafts by covering the hole(s).
ST E P 1 4 Gently press your ecobee thermostat into the backplate until it ‘clicks’ into place. Turn the power to your HVAC system back on using the master switch or at the circuit breaker box. W/W1 Y1 G Rc ST E P 1 3 C ON OR OFF ON TIP: If the thermostat ‘rocks’ or is not flush with the wall, be sure the excess wires are pushed all the way into the wall.
ST E P 1 5 ALL DO NE ! Say hi to your new ecobee! The screen will power on and guide you through the set-up and registration. Congratulations, you did it! To complete your set-up, follow the instructions on your ecobee screen. hi TIP: If your thermostat does not power on, please see the troubleshooting tips in the ‘Extras’ section.
G U IDE 2 Install your ecobee without a C wire If you don’t have a C wire, you’ll need to use the Power Extender Kit (PEK) included to reliably power your ecobee.
C HEC KP O I N T: DO N ’ T S K I P AH E AD Have you completed steps 1 - 4 in the ‘Start Your Install’ section? CH E CK PO INT: 3 O R 4 WI R ES The Power Extender Kit requires your system to have the following wires: 4 wires: W/W1, Y/Y1, G and R (or RC or RH) OR 3 wires: Y/Y1, G and R (or RC or RH) Do you have these wires? NO YES OR RC RH YES YES Continue to the next page NO Return to step 1 in ‘Start Your Install’ RC RH NO Continue to the next page The Power Extender kit will work with your sy
ST E P 5 ST E P 6 Take your Power Extender Kit, wire labels, tools, your smart phone, and go to your HVAC system. Open your HVAC system’s cover to reveal the control board. ecobee wire labels Power Extender Kit wire labels (not required for all installs) Y W G C R Control board TIP: Your HVAC system can most often be found in your basement or your attic. WARNING: HVAC systems contain high voltage wires. Use caution when working with the control board.
ST E P 7 ST E P 8 Take a picture of the wires connected to your control board. You may need to reference this photo later on. Label only the R, Y or Y1, G and W or W1 wires with the matching labels provided. If you have more than one wire going into these terminals, only label those coming from your thermostat.
ST E P 9 ST E P 1 0 Disconnect the labeled R, Y, G and W wires from the control board. Connect the wires you disconnected from the control board into their matching gray terminal blocks on the Power Extender Kit. Y W G R C G W Y R Y G W C W Y G R W G R Y R TIP: Press the buttons to insert the wires more easily.
ST E P 1 1 ST E P 1 2 Tug on the wires gently to ensure they are securely connected. Connect the 5 white wires coming out of the Power Extender Kit to the corresponding terminals on your control board. R W Y W Y Y G G W R C W G Y C R W G R Y G R TIP: When a wire has been connected correctly, the button on that block will lower. TIP: Once again, tug on the wires gently to ensure they are securely connected.
C HEC KP O I N T: P OWE R E X T E N DE R K I T Check that you have installed the Power Extender Kit correctly. It should be installed between your thermostat wiring and your control board. BEFORE ST E P 1 3 Mount the Power Extender Kit inside your HVAC system, taking care not to strain the wires. Close the HVAC cover panel securely and return to your thermostat. AFTER TIP: Make sure your HVAC panel is fully closed. Some systems will not turn on if the cover panel has not been closed properly.
ST E P 1 4 ST E P 1 5 Back at your thermostat: Carefully disconnect and label the wires from your old thermostat one at a time, using the labels provided. Unscrew the mounting plate of your old thermostat to remove it from the wall. RC 1 W/W Y/Y1 RC RH 1 W/W Rc Y/Y1 RC R H TIP: If you have a jumper between Rc, Rh or R, leave it alone. Only label the wires that run from your wall into a terminal block. WARNING: Be careful, as some thermostats may contain mercury.
ST E P 1 6 STEP 17 : OPTIONAL Decide if you want to use the trim plate with your ecobee. The trim plate is useful if you want to hide marks or holes on the wall left by your old thermostat. If using the trim plate, align the mounting holes on the trim plate and backplate and press them into place together.
ST E P 1 8 ST E P 1 9 Pull the wires through the hole in the middle of the backplate and then attach it to the wall using the drywall anchors and screws provided. First, connect these 3 wires as shown: R/RC/RH RC G C Y PEK Then, connect any remaining wires to their corresponding terminal. Rc G Rc Y2 O/B 1 G Y1 W/W1 Y2 RH Y/ Y W/W1 Rc G Y Y/ 1 Y1 Rc G C W1 W2 PEK Rc G Y1 TIP: Use a 3/16” drill bit to drill a hole for the drywall plugs.
ST E P 2 0 ST E P 2 1 Tug on the wires gently to ensure they are securely connected. Carefully push any excess wire back into the hole and ensure there are no drafts coming from the hole(s) in the wall. RH C W 1 W 2 PE K TIP: When a wire has been connected correctly, the lever on that block will lower. TIP: Large holes behind your thermostat will affect temperature readings. Prevent drafts by covering the hole(s).
ST E P 2 3 Gently press your ecobee thermostat into the backplate until it ‘clicks’ into place. Turn the power to your HVAC system back on using the master switch or at the circuit breaker box. W/W1 Y1 G Rc ST E P 2 2 C ON OR OFF ON TIP: If the thermostat ‘rocks’ or is not flush with the wall, be sure the excess wires are pushed all the way into the wall.
ST E P 24 ALL DO NE ! Say hi to your new ecobee! The screen will power on and guide you through the set-up and registration. Congratulations, you did it! To complete your set-up, follow the instructions on your ecobee screen. hi TIP: If your thermostat does not power on, please see the troubleshooting tips in the ‘Extras’ section.
E X T RAS In here you’ll find: Troubleshooting Meet your ecobee Wiring diagrams Warranty and Legal Extras
TRO UBL E SHO OT I NG T RO U B LE S H O OT ING If your ecobee doesn’t turn on, please try these steps: Check that all wires are properly 2. Make sure your HVAC cover panel If you have only one R wire (either 4. If you installed the Power Extender R, RC, or RH), make sure it’s inserted Kit, make sure you inserted the wires into the Rc terminal. into the correct terminals: R (or RC or RH) RC R (or RC or RH) inserted into the terminal blocks at is closed.
M EE T YO UR ECO B E E ME E T YO U R E CO B E E Here’s what you’ll see on the home screen: And here’s what that means: Slider to adjust Temperature System Mode Menu Shows your current ecobee Allows you to control your setting [heat/cool/auto/off] system, schedule a vacation, and more System Mode Humidity Weather Humidity Shows the indoor humidity Shows the local weather Indoor Temperature in your home and forecast for the week Temperature Quick Changes Shows the temperature in Touch th
M EE T YO UR ECO B E E ME E T YO U R E CO B E E These system mode icons are shown on the Home screen and in Quick Changes. More common icons you’ll find: Home Screen 2 Menu Heat Cool Your system is in heat mode. A white icon means your system is off. An orange icon means your system is running. Your system is in cool mode. A white icon means your system is off. A blue icon means your system is running. Fan Auto Your fan is currently running.
WIRI N G D I AG RA M W IRING DIAG RAM Conventional heating and cooling (up to 2 stages each) Heat pump (air or geothermal) with auxiliary heat RH C Rc G W1 Y1 W2 Y2 PEK RH Rc C G W1 Y1 W2 Y2 PEK O/B O/B Y1 Y2 C Y1 Y2 W1 W2 R C G O/B W2 Y1 Y2 R C Air Conditioner Furnace Heat Pump NOTE: Do not jumper Rc or Rh. ecobee does this automatically. The R wire needs to go into the Rc terminal on your ecobee.
WIR I N G D I AG RAM W IRING DIAG RAM Boiler or radiant system with air handler and conventional cooling or heating Power Extender Kit thermostat wiring RH Rc C G Y1 Y2 RH Rc C G W1 Y1 W1 W2 Y2 W2 PEK O/B PEK O/B Air Handler Y1 Y2 R C Air Conditioner or Heat Pump* G Boiler Y1 Y2 C O/B* NOTE: Do not jumper Rc or Rh. ecobee does this automatically. The R wire needs to go into the Rc terminal on your ecobee.
L EGA L 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 Compliance Notice: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
charge. Any replacement and/or repaired device are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty or ninety (90) days, whichever is longer. A proof-of-purchase will be required from the Customer in order for ecobee to provide a replacement and/or repaired device. This Warranty is valid only for Product installed in the country in which it is purchased. If the product is defective, call Customer Service at 1-877-932-6233.
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