Ecobee Smart Thermostat Review: 6 Years of Real-World Use

For a long time I debated whether it was worth it to upgrade from a 7 day programmable thermostat to an Ecobee smart thermostat. As my schedule became less predictable the ability of the Ecobee to dynamically adjust/detect occupancy and the ability to place sensors through the house for temperature balance became a stronger selling point and made me decide to give the Ecobee 3 a try.

After owning the Ecobee 3 for over six years I thought it would be helpful to share what I've learned along the way so others can get a complete view of long-term ownership before purchasing.

In the video below I go over my initial Ecobee installation experience.

Ecobee 3 Features: 6-Year Review

• Occupancy sensor
• Remote room temperature sensors
• Ecobee app
• Alexa integration
• Humidity control (AC overcool max)
• Energy tracking

Occupancy Sensor

The occupancy sensor has provided tangible cost savings over a 7-day programmable thermostat. For people on more predictable schedules the benefits may be less, and that held true for me after switching to remote work — with someone almost always home, the away mode savings largely disappeared. That said, I still get real value from the finer-grained scheduling and humidity controls that a simpler thermostat wouldn't provide. The occupancy detection has been consistently accurate and hasn't incorrectly triggered away mode while I've been home.

Remote room temperature sensors

The Ecobee 3 I purchased included 3 remote temperature sensors that run on coin batteries, lasting roughly 10-12 months each. One sensor developed a tendency to drop connection after about the first year of ownership. It eventually resolved itself and hasn't had an issue in recent years. Outside of that early hiccup, the sensors do a good job keeping rooms with extra heat sources — like a home office with computers running — balanced with the rest of the house.

Ecobee app and Alexa integration

The Ecobee app has stayed reliable and well-organized over six years. It's easy to get to the settings you need quickly, and it's a convenient way to check or adjust the temperature when you're away from home. In recent years Ecobee added some cross-promotion banner ads at the top of the app which have made it feel busier and more promotional than before, but the core functionality is unchanged.

In practice, Alexa integration is how I make most temperature adjustments at home — calling out a temperature change from another room or from bed is more convenient than reaching for the phone or walking to the thermostat.

Ecobee AC Overcool Max: Humidity Control

I discovered an Ecobee feature called AC Overcool Max which allows you to let Ecobee cool beyond your set point to lower the indoor humidity to your desired comfort level. This has been a great feature in Florida where high humidity is a consistent issue. You can see how to configure it in the video below.

Energy Savings and Dashboard

Ecobee tracks your AC runtime and predicted savings on their portal. The dashboard has been useful for validating that home improvements like blown-in insulation actually translated to real savings — having the usage history made before-and-after comparisons straightforward. Since switching to remote work the away mode savings have dropped significantly, but the energy dashboard is still useful for monitoring overall runtime trends over time.

Long-term Reliability

One of the best aspects of the Ecobee 3 over six years of ownership is how reliable and unobtrusive it has been. No hardware failures, no significant connectivity issues, and the unit operates exactly the same today as it did on day one. Ecobee has released several newer models since the Ecobee 3 with differentiated feature sets, but I haven't had a reason to upgrade — which is a strong testament to the hardware's longevity.

Is the Ecobee Worth It?

Yes, but it depends on what you're optimizing for.

It's a great fit if you:

• Want a reliable smart thermostat with a proven track record compatible with multiple types of air conditioning systems — I've been running mine with a Trane variable speed central air unit for six years without any issues
• Have a schedule that varies or a home that's frequently unoccupied and will benefit from occupancy-based savings
• Live in a humid climate where the AC Overcool Max humidity control is a meaningful quality-of-life improvement
• Are comfortable with a gradual payback period — given how long the unit lasts, a slower return on the upfront cost is fine since you won't be replacing it before it pays for itself

It may not be the right fit if you:

• Need the upfront cost to pay back within a year — the savings are real but gradual
• Have an older thermostat without a C-wire and don't want a technician to update the wiring
• Have a home that's consistently occupied and cost savings from away mode is the primary reason you're considering it

If you'd like to purchase an Ecobee please consider supporting my site by using my affiliate link to buy the Ecobee smart thermostat.