The Ecobee thermostat is a popular choice for smart home climate control, offering advanced features and energy savings. However, like any electronic device, it can sometimes encounter issues. One common problem is the thermostat not turning on. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to diagnose and fix this issue.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
1. Check the Power Source
Verify the Circuit Breaker
Locate the Circuit Breaker Panel
Find your home's circuit breaker panel, usually located in the basement, garage, or utility room.
Check the Breaker:
Ensure the breaker for your HVAC system is in the "ON" position. If it has tripped, reset it by switching it off and then back on.
Verify the HVAC System Power Switch
Locate the Power Switch:
There should be a power switch near your HVAC system, often looking like a light switch.
Ensure it is On:
Confirm that this switch is in the "ON" position.
2. Check the Wiring
Inspect the Thermostat Wiring
Turn Off Power to the HVAC System:
Before inspecting the wires, turn off the power at the circuit breaker to avoid electrical shock.
Remove the Thermostat Faceplate:
Gently remove the Ecobee thermostat from its wall mount.
Check the Wiring Connections:
Ensure all wires are securely connected to the correct terminals. Refer to the Ecobee wiring diagram for your specific model.
Look for Damage:
Inspect the wires for any signs of damage or fraying.
Reconnect the Thermostat:
Once the wiring is confirmed secure, reattach the thermostat to its mount and restore power.
3. Check the Common Wire (C-Wire)
Verify the Presence and Connection of the C-Wire
Identify the C-Wire:
The C-wire provides continuous power to the thermostat. Make sure it is connected to the C terminal on the thermostat and the HVAC system control board.
Use a Power Extender Kit:
If your HVAC system does not have a C-wire, you can use a power extender kit (PEK) provided by Ecobee. Follow the installation instructions carefully.
4. Check the Furnace or HVAC System
Verify the Furnace Door
Inspect the Furnace Door:
Ensure the furnace door is properly closed. Many HVAC systems have a safety switch that prevents operation if the door is not securely shut.
Check for Furnace Issues
Look for Error Codes:
Some furnaces display error codes. Refer to your furnace's manual to decode and address any errors.
Check the Pilot Light:
For gas furnaces, ensure the pilot light is lit.
5. Restart the Ecobee Thermostat
Perform a Power Cycle:
Turn off the thermostat by removing it from the wall mount, wait for a few seconds, and then reattach it.
Reset the Thermostat:
If a power cycle doesn’t work, you may need to perform a factory reset. Go to the thermostat menu: Settings > Reset > Reset All Settings. Note that this will erase all settings and preferences.
6. Check for Firmware Updates
Access the Thermostat Menu:
Go to Main Menu > Settings > About > Firmware Version.
Check for Updates:
Ensure your thermostat is connected to Wi-Fi. If an update is available, follow the prompts to update the firmware.
When to Contact Professional Help
If you have tried all the above steps and your Ecobee thermostat still won't turn on, it may be time to contact a professional HVAC technician. There might be a more complex issue with your HVAC system that requires expert diagnosis and repair.
An Ecobee thermostat not turning on can be frustrating, but with systematic troubleshooting, you can often identify and fix the issue yourself. Start by checking the power source, wiring, and HVAC system. If necessary, restart the thermostat or check for firmware updates. If these steps don’t resolve the problem, consider seeking professional help.
Contact Support.Com
If you are still having trouble, refer to the Step-By-Step Guide below, or Contact Support.Com for Personalized Assistance.
1. Introduction
The ecobee Smart Thermostat is a simple, stylish way to control your heating and cooling throughout your home. This guide will help you troubleshoot the wiring and other electricity problems that can cause your thermostat not to turn on, click without turning on, or reboot constantly.
Thermostat Setup If you are looking to setup your Thermostat for the first time, we offer a more complete guide to assist with that process.
Professional Installer Option In most cases, if your thermostat is having power problems, it points to issues with wiring or the furnace itself.
This guide will help you diagnose these problems, but if you do not feel comfortable making changes, you can call a professional installer to diagnose and repair the issue for a fee. Ecobee offers a service on their website to refer you to a qualified technician in your area.
Danger High VoltageThe wires in your thermostat can carry between 12 and 240 volts. Always be certain you've turned off the source power as well as the breaker before checking or touching any wires!
Wiring Diagram
If you are confident in your installation, and simply want to quickly double-check the wiring on your ecobee thermostat, use the two common examples below that cover most installs.
HVAC System With C-Wire
HVAC System Without C-Wire Using PEK
2. Check Breaker and Heater Power Switch
If too much power is drawn, or a lightning strike happens nearby during a thunder storm, your home's breaker can flip. It's often fine to flip it back and continue.
If a breaker flips repeatedly or often, it is a sign of serious electrical problems in your home. To avoid damage, loss, injury, or death, contact a professional electrician if this is a common occurrence with no other source (such as an electrical storm).
Check if the breaker in your home's breaker box is flipped for the heater, air conditioner, or other device you're having problems with.
Flip the breaker back on.
Wait at your breaker box for 30 seconds, to make sure it does not flip back quickly.
Allow your thermostat an additional minute to finish starting back up.
Try adjusting the temperature to ensure it's functioning properly.If the breaker flips shortly after the heater or air conditioner turns on, there is a serious problem with your HVAC system. You will need to contact an HVAC technician or electrician in your area to diagnose and resolve the problem.
3. Heater Overheating
Your home heater has a sensor that can tell if the heater is getting too hot. This is a safety feature; if it trips, it means there is some aspect of operation that has a problem and needs attention.
While many aspects of this will require a professional, there are a number of items you can check yourself.
Clogged or Dirty Air Filter
There is a filter on your furnace that must be changed or cleaned regularly. If it's clogged with dirt, your furnace will have to work a lot harder to pull air, and become hotter.
A quick check, change, or cleaning of your filter may be all you need to do.
Furnace running for long periods of time
If your furnace is running constantly because the temperature has been increased or set very high during a cold snap, it could end up too hot. Wait for it to cool down, and set the temperature lower.
If this is a consistent problem, it indicates there is a deeper problem with your furnace, and will need to be serviced by an HVAC technician.
4. Check Furnace Fuse
There is a small fuse on your furnace to protect the electronics from surges. This fuse can blow during an electrical storm or power surge. While the location will vary, it is usually somewhere you can get to easily.
Power Off For SafetyBe certain the power to your furnace is off, preferably at the circuit breakers in your home, before touching any fuse or wire.
There are two types of fuse that are most common, a purple 3-amp, or orange/tan 5-amp. Both are very inexpensive (less than $2.00) and usually quick to check and replace if needed.
3 Amp Fuse
5 Amp Fuse
Fuses with different amperage are not interchangeableDifferent fuses are for different tasks, the amperage rating is not an indication of how 'good' the fuse is, but rather it's chosen for the internal circuitry and other power considerations. Do not replace a fuse with one of a different amperage in this application.
You should be able to clearly see the small wire in the window between the two legs of the fuse. If it's black or you can see the wire has broken, that means the fuse has blown and needs to be replaced.
Blade-type ATO fuses are commonly used in automobiles, and may be in the auto section of a big-box store.
5. Check Condensate Drain
Air conditioners, by design, end up condensing water out of the atmosphere. This water is collected in a drip pan or sent down a tube to a drain. If the drip pan fills or the tube clogs because of mold, algae, or dirt in the line, a small switch will trip and turn off your air conditioner to prevent damage from it overflowing.
This drain may be entirely outside, or may be integrated with your heater system.
If you're able to locate the drain system, check the following:
Make sure the drain pan isn't full, and there's no water damage around it.
If possible, check to be sure the drain line is clean and free of debris.
If you see the water sensor, make sure it isn't damaged.
6. Continued Problems
After these checks, if your ecobee thermostat is still turning off or rebooting, it indicates a deeper problem with the wiring, heating, or HVAC system.
Professional Installer Option Ecobee offers a service on their website to refer you to a qualified technician in your area that can review and fix your system for a fee.
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