The Ecobee thermostat is a device that detects and controls the temperature of a building by maintaining the desired temperature in the room. However, sometimes this device can shut off before reaching temperature.
Your Ecobee shutting off before reaching temperature could be due to several reasons, such as a faulty thermostat, an overheating forced air furnace, or an overheating blower fan motor. Other causes could be faulty wiring, insufficient airflow, a clogged condensate line, or short cycling.
An Ecobee thermostat typically regulates the flow of cold and hot air to and from your house. Read on to find out some of the most common causes of Ecobee shutting off before reaching temperature and how to fix them.
1. Faulty Thermostat
The Ecobee Thermostat is a smart thermostat that is supposed to learn and adjust the temperature in your house. It has sensors throughout your home to know what the temperature is like, but sometimes it shuts off before reaching the desired temperature.
While this may be due to faulty wiring in your house or an issue with your HVAC system, it can also result from a faulty thermostat. Some of the common signs that your thermostat is malfunctioning include:
- The thermostat shuts on and off intermittently.
- Your heater or air conditioner will not turn on.
- The heater or air conditioner will not turn off.
- The thermostat displays an inaccurate temperature.
- It causes HVAC to short cycle.
- The thermostat “forgets” your settings.
Read: Ecobee Lite 3 Vs. Ecobee Smart Thermostat: Differences, Worth Of Upgrade?
How To Fix?
If you have a faulty Ecobee thermostat, the best solution is to replace it. However, one must first identify the problem before replacing a faulty thermostat. In most cases, the air conditioning system could be a problem, causing the thermostat to fail.
Check to ensure that you have set the Ecobee thermostat correctly before replacing it. A qualified technician can help you inspect the device and recommend the most appropriate fix.
Read: Why Ecobee Thermostat Runs For 5 Mins And Then Shuts Off?
2. Overheating Forced Air Furnace
If your Ecobee thermostat is shutting off during heating, it could be due to an overheating forced air furnace. The furnace is an integral part of the HVAC system. It heats the air before being distributed through ducts and into the rooms.
Overheating can sometimes result from a clogged filter, improper airflow, an air leak, or poor insulation. If a filter is not changed, it will become dirty and clogged with dust and debris, restricting airflow through the system.
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It could also be because the thermostat is set too high, or the HVAC system might be working too hard to heat your home. All these issues, if left unchecked, can cause the Ecobee to shut off before reaching temperature.
Other causes of an overheating forced air furnace include:
- Dirty coils.
- A malfunctioning thermostat.
- A lack of air vents in the home.
Read: Can I Use An Ecobee Thermostat In An RV?
How To Fix?
A dirty air filter is one of the most common causes of an overheating furnace. Dirty filters restrict airflow and cause your furnace to work harder, increasing energy consumption and higher utility bills.
To fix an overheating furnace, you should first clean or replace the air filter. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to call a professional to find out what’s wrong with the furnace.
3. Insufficient Air Flow
The Ecobee thermostat is a smart device that helps homeowners save energy through their HVAC system. If your air conditioning unit has insufficient airflow, the Ecobee thermostat will shut off as it can detect low airflow, which can happen if there is a clog in the filter or if the filter is dirty.
For your thermostat to maintain the desired temperature, air must be able to circulate freely in and out of your home. If your air vents are clogged, it will cause a decrease in airflow, which can lead to an increase in the temperature inside your home.
Low airflow can be a common problem in homes with forced air heating and cooling systems due to a blockage that restricts airflow. Defective ducts, a dirty blower wheel, or blocked air supply vents can prevent enough air from reaching your HVAC system, causing the thermostat to shut off.
Read: Can You Use Multiple Ecobee Thermostats In The Same House?
How To Fix It?
If your Ecobee thermostat shuts off, you need to check your filter to see if it needs to be cleaned or replaced. Restrictions can be due to many things, including clogs, dirt, or debris built over time.
Dirty or clogged air filters are another common cause of low airflow problems. Be sure to change your filters regularly so that they are not restricted. If you notice that your system is not producing enough airflow, it may be time to call an HVAC specialist to inspect the ducts.
4. Clogged Condensate Line
The Ecobee thermostat is a smart home device that can detect when the HVAC condensate line is clogged and shut off the device. The condensate line transports condensate from the evaporator coil to the outside of your home. If it gets clogged, it will stop working and cause the Ecobee thermostat to shut off.
The condensate line is usually located near the evaporator coil and vents directly outside or into a drain pan. The water absorbed out of the air is drained away from the coil by gravity through this line. If it becomes clogged, it will prevent water from draining and cause your Ecobee thermostat to shut off.
How To Fix?
A clogged AC drain line can cause a lot of problems. It makes your unit work harder and uses more energy, but it can also lead to mold, mildew, and other unwanted issues.
The first step is to find the clog. You can do this by opening the AC condensate drain valve and inspecting the line for debris. If you don’t see anything blocking the condensate line, you will need to remove the drain pan from under your unit and inspect that for debris as well.
If you can’t still find a clog, it is time to call in a professional. The professionals can use special equipment to find the clog. If you are experiencing issues with your AC and have tried to unclog your drain line, but nothing has worked, then it might be time to call a qualified technician.
Here is a detailed video showing how to unclog your AC condensate drain line:
5. Short Cycling
The HVAC system’s short cycling issue is the most common cause of Ecobee thermostat shutdowns. It occurs when the air conditioner shuts off after an hour or so of operation because the thermostat is set to a high temperature, causing it to turn off after that period.
A shorter cycle means your system will have to work harder, harming your equipment. When your system turns on and off intermittently, it strains the electrical and lubrication systems, causing your equipment to wear out faster. Short cycling also causes higher energy bills and uneven room temperatures. Some of the most common causes of short cycling issues are:
- A dirty coil.
- Wrong thermostat settings.
- A dirty air filter.
- Incorrect furnace or air conditioner size
- An incorrectly placed thermostat.
- Poor HVAC maintenance.
How To Fix?
Short cycling is a problem that occurs when the thermostat turns on the air conditioner before it has had time to cool down from the previous cycle. The result is that the air conditioner cycles on and off more often than it should.
To fix short cycling, first, you need to find out what’s causing it and then take action to fix that problem. You can ask a professional to check the filters or clean your air ducts if they are clogged and ensure they are not leaking any air.
Other Causes of Ecobee Shutting Off
Some other issues that can cause your Ecobee to shut off before reaching temperature include:
- Your Ecobee thermostat is getting insufficient voltage.
- An overheating blower fan motor.
- A blocked furnace exhaust vent.
- Faulty wiring issues.
- Faulty HVAC wet switch or float switch.
Read: How To Fix Ecobee Thermostat Connection Problems?
Final Thoughts
The Ecobee thermostat is a smart home device that you can use to control the temperature in your house. It works with Wi-Fi and a smartphone app and has several sensors that detect motion, temperature, humidity, and air quality.
The Ecobee thermostat is also compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. If your Ecobee thermostat keeps shutting off and you can’t figure out the problem, call a professional technician for assistance.