If you rely on your ecobee sensor and thermostat to control your room temperature, they have to work in tandem. So, when the app and thermostat readings don’t match, you might end up with a house that’s either far too hot or cold. Thankfully, the problem is relatively simple to fix.
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If your Ecobee sensor is not matching the temperature displayed in the Ecobee app or on your thermostat, an easy fix is to turn the sensor off and back on or recalibrate it through the thermostat. You can also try placing the sensor in a different location or replacing the batteries in the sensor.
Read on because I’ll explain each problem in detail. I’ll elaborate on why each issue may cause the sensor to malfunction and explain how you can fix this problem.
1. Calibrate the Ecobee Sensor
If running a quick power cycle (turning the sensor off and back on) did not fix the temperature discrepancy, then you can try a few more aggressive methods to solve this issue.
There is a setting on your ecobee thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature calibration of the unit. You can adjust this setting to accommodate a much larger margin of error concerning the temperature display within your system.
Finding and adjusting the temperature adjustment setting is very simple. It’s actually just a five-step process. Here’s how to view or change the temperature calibration settings:
- Go to your thermostat and open the main menu.
- From there, navigate to Settings.
- Scroll down to Installation settings.
- Find the tab that says Thresholds.
- From here, you can adjust the temperature correction setting for the thermostat.
Remember that when you change these settings, you change the settings on the thermostat itself. Playing with these settings is most beneficial if your sensor reads a temperature only slightly different than the one displayed in the app and on the thermostat.
Read: Nest Or Ecobee Thermostat. What To Choose?
2. Adjust the Temperature Correction
Ecobee support recommends setting the Temperature Correction feature at +/- 10°F (5.5°C) to account for inaccurate readings from sensors. The support team at ecobee says this is a permanent fix to this issue. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Settings on your thermostat.
- Select Installation settings.
- Go to Thresholds.
- Select Temperature Correction and adjust it until the sensor and thermostat readings match.
This may require some trial and error, so once you get the sensor in tune with the thermostat, write down the settings in case you end up resetting the thermostat or sensor.
Read: Ecobee Humidity Sensor Problem
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3. Replace the Ecobee Sensor’s Battery
Since ecobee sensors don’t plug into a wall outlet, they rely on batteries. Although ecobee sensors are power-efficient, they’re always on, drawing power from the battery at all times.
This is especially true in rooms that people frequently inhabit. Ecobee sensors contain motion detectors that draw power from the batteries. An Ecobee sensor in a living room will use more battery power than a sensor used in a personal office.
The battery of your ecobee sensor needs to be replaced periodically. Otherwise, the sensors will start to malfunction. Dying batteries can cause the sensor to not match the temperature displayed on the thermostat or app.
Luckily, replacing the battery in an ecobee Smart Sensor is quick and easy. The only thing you need is the correct type of replacement battery.
Ecobee Room Sensors use CR-2032 batteries. These are the flat round batteries that kind of look like nickels. They can be purchased at any convenience store and are easy to find.
Note that ecobee Smart Sensors don’t use the same batteries as the Ecobee Room Sensors. Ecobee Smart Sensors use CR-2477 batteries. These batteries are just as readily available, and both are relatively inexpensive.
Read: How To Fix Ecobee Thermostat AC Blowing Cold Air Through Intake Vent?
How To Replace the Battery in an Ecobee Smart Sensor?
- Turn the sensor around so that its back faces you.
- If you have a sensor that comes with a stand, pull upwards on the sensor to remove it from the stand.
- Remove the battery cover. It has two recessed corners that you can use for leverage to help pry it off.
- Once you have the battery cover removed, use the same method to remove the battery.
- Install the new battery and replace the cover. Make sure the battery is inserted positive side up and securely into place.
After replacing the batteries, the sensor should turn itself back on, calibrate itself to your system, and match the temperature shown by the app and the thermostat.
If the sensor is still out of sync, keep reading.
Read: Why Ecobee Thermostat Runs For 5 Mins And Then Shuts Off?
4. Relocate Your Ecobee Sensor
An improperly placed sensor can cause a lot of issues. As mentioned above, sensors placed in areas with a lot of foot traffic experience poor battery life because they constantly detect motion.
A sensor is best placed in an area that maintains a moderate level of foot traffic and a consistent temperature throughout the day. The most important aspect of obtaining a proper reading is that the sensor maintains an accurate temperature reading at all times.
You should also check the communication range of your ecobee thermostat and sensors. Some models have a greater reach than others. If your sensor is placed even slightly out of range, it can cause discrepancies in the temperature data.
Sensors that are outside the thermostat can experience poor signal from the thermostat and, thus, incorrect temperature readings. Sensors that are placed too far from the thermostat can also experience time delays in temperature updates. This is why your sensor doesn’t match the app or thermostat.
Ecobee advertises a communication range of 45 feet (13.7 m). Any sensor that is placed outside this range is susceptible to communications issues. This is one of the most simple yet most common issues with ecobee temperature sensors.
It is not recommended to use ecobee sensors in areas like the kitchen. This is not only because the kitchen is a high-traffic area but also because the kitchen’s temperature will fluctuate wildly when the oven is on. This can trick the sensor into thinking it is hotter in the home than it really is.
If you insist on having a sensor near the kitchen, you can place a sensor at the edge of the kitchen near an entrance or exit. This will allow the sensor to read the room’s temperature without reading things inaccurately due to excess heat.
The same rule applies when placing sensors near air-conditioning vents, an open window, or a drafty area of the house. You should avoid placing the sensor in an area that receives direct sunlight.
The manufacturer suggests placing all sensors at around 5 feet off the ground for the best temperature detection. They also recommend pointing the sensor at any doorways or seating areas for optimal motion detection.
If you find that one of your sensors is in a location causing it to malfunction, you can relocate it. Here’s how:
- Unpair it from your thermostat by tapping on the menu icon on your thermostat.
- Select Sensors.
- Select the malfunctioning sensor.
- Tap on the trash icon. This will be in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
- Tap on Unpair. Once the sensor is unpaired, pair it with the thermostat again.
- Place the sensor in a more appropriate location where the sensor can provide accurate feedback.
Read: 4 Reasons Why Ecobee Thermostat Fan Keeps Running
Conclusion
Using sensors with your ecobee thermostat can accentuate the experience of having a smart thermostat in your home. But only if the sensors are functioning as they should. If the sensors read a temperature different from the thermostat, hopefully, this guide has helped you identify and fix the problem.
Luckily there are a few low-maintenance ways to troubleshoot this issue. You don’t need to be a technical genius to perform these fixes. You can just follow the instructions outlined above, and you should be able to identify your problem and fix it.