Ecobee 3 lite Installation Guide

How to install
your ecobee3 lite

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community of people who want to
conserve energy, save money and
do something good for our planet.

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Let’s get started!

Download the ecobee
app for customized
installation instructions.

Or continue reading!

Table of contents

What’s in the box

Guide 1 or Guide 2?

Guide 1: Install with a C-wire

Guide 2: Install without a C-wire

Extras

5

7

14

29

54

First things first. Here’s what
you’ll find in the box.

H

R

Rc

C

G

Y1

W1

W2

Y2

PEK

O/B

ecobee thermostat ecobee backplate Power Extender Kit

(PEK)

Screws

Drywall plugs

Trim plate

Install guide (this booklet)

and wire labels

You’ll also need these tools:

Drill for mounting anchors

(3/16” drill bit)

OPTIONAL

Small flathead

screwdriver

Phillips

screwdriver

Hammer

Pencil

Wire stripper

Guide 1 or Guide 2?
Start here to find out.

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.

STEP 1

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.

ON

OFF

OR

OFF

ON

TIP:

Look for your master switch or circuit breaker box in the basement,
attic, utility closet, or behind a wall panel near the thermostat.

STEP 2

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.

TIP:

If you have a boiler, check to see that the main flame is extinguished.

STEP 3

Remove your old thermostat cover from
the wall.

OR

TIP:

Many thermostats simply pop off or unclip from the base,
while others may have screws that you will need to remove.

CHECKPOINT: COMPATIBILITY

L1 L2

Does your old thermostat’s backplate have
any of these indicators?

110 VAC

OR

WARNING

HIGH VOLTAGE

YES NO

Sadly, you might

not be compatible

You can double check here:

ecobee.com/compatibility

Great, please

continue to

the next page

120 VAC

OR

240 VAC

STEP 4

Take a picture of the wires connected to the
terminals of your old thermostat. You may
need to reference this photo later on.

WARNING:

ecobee3 lite is designed for 24VAC with a 2A maximum current.
Do not connect it to line (high) voltage or millivolt systems.

CHECKPOINT: C WIRE

Do you have a C wire connected to your
old thermostat?

YES

OR

RC RH RC RH

YES NO

Continue to

Guide 1

NO

Continue to

Guide 2

GUIDE 1

Install your ecobee

with a C wire

If you have a C wire, it will power your
ecobee. You won’t need the Power
Extender Kit included in the box.

CHECKPOINT: DON’T SKIP AHEAD

Have you completed steps 1 - 4 in the ‘Start
Your Install’ section?

YES NO

Continue to

the next page

Return to step 1

in ‘Start Your Install’

STEP 5

Carefully disconnect and label the wires from
your old thermostat one at a time, using the
labels provided.

Rc

Y/Y1

W/W1

RC RH

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.

STEP 6

Unscrew the mounting plate of your old
thermostat to remove it from the wall.

W/W1

C

R

Y/Y1

RC RH

WAR NIN G :

Be careful, as some thermostats may contain mercury. Recycle your
old thermostat safely with your local hazardous waste facility.

STEP 7

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.

R

R

H

Rc

Rc

G

G

Y1

Y1

Y2

Y2

O/B

O/B

H

C

C

W1

W1

W2

W2

PEK

PEK

OR

STEP 8: OPTIONAL

If using the trim plate, align the mounting

holes on the trim plate and backplate and
press them into place together.

STEP 9

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.

G

Y/Y1

Rc

W/W1

C

TIP:

Use a 3/16” drill bit to drill a hole for the drywall plugs.

CHECKPOINT: INSERT YOUR R WIRE(S)

Do you have more than one R wire?
(That includes R, Rc, and Rh)

NOYES

H

R

R

H

W/W1

C

W1

W2

PEK

OR

O/B

Rc

G

Y1

Y2

Y/Y1

H

R

G

W/W1

C

O/B

Rc

G

Y1

Y2

Y/Y1

R

G

C

NOYES

Insert your wires: Insert your single

R oR Rc Rc

Rh Rh

Rc or Rh wire into

R,

Rc terminal.

the

R

C

W1

W2

PEK

H

STEP 10

Rc

G

Y1

Rc

G

Y1

Insert your remaining wires into the side
(not the front) of their corresponding
terminal blocks.

Y/Y1

Rc

C

G

W/W1

Rc

G

Y1

Y2

O/B

TIP:

Press the terminal block levers to insert the wires more easily.

R

C

W1

W2

PEK

H

STEP 11

Tug on the wires gently to ensure they are
securely connected.

R

H

C

W1

W2

PEK

TIP:

When a wire has been connected correctly, the lever on that
block will lower.

STEP 12

Carefully push any excess wire back into the
hole and ensure there are no drafts coming
from the hole(s) in the wall.

TIP:

Large holes behind your thermostat will affect temperature readings.
Prevent drafts by covering the hole(s).

STEP 13

Gently press your ecobee thermostat into
the backplate until it ‘clicks’ into place.

Rc

G

W/W1

Y1

C

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.

STEP 14

Turn the power to your HVAC system back
on using the master switch or at the circuit
breaker box.

OFF

ON

OR

OFF

ON

STEP 15

Say hi to your new ecobee! The screen will
power on and guide you through the set-up
and registration.

hi

TIP:

If your thermostat does not power on, please see the
troubleshooting tips in the ‘Extras’ section.

ALL DONE!

Congratulations,
you did it!

To complete your set-up,
follow the instructions on
your ecobee screen.

GUIDE 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.

CHECKPOINT: DON’T SKIP AHEAD

Have you completed steps 1 - 4 in the ‘Start
Your Install’ section?

YES NO

Continue to

the next page

Return to step 1

in ‘Start Your Install’

CHECKPOINT: 3 OR 4 WIRES

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?

YES

OR

RC RH RC RH

Continue to

the next page

The Power Extender kit

will work with your system!

NO

NOYES

Give us a call

Looks like you have one or more

wires missing. Please contact ecobee

support for more information.

1.877.932.6233 or

[e-mail]

STEP 5

Take your Power Extender Kit, wire labels,
tools, your smart phone, and go to your
HVAC system.

ecobee wire labels

Power Extender Kit wire labels

(not required for all installs)

TIP:

Your HVAC system can most often be found in your basement or
your attic.

STEP 6

Y

W

G

C

R

Open your HVAC system’s cover to reveal the
control board.

Control board

WARNING:

HVAC systems contain high voltage wires. Use caution
when working with the control board.

Y

W

G

C

R

STEP 7

Take a picture of the wires connected to your
control board. You may need to reference
this photo later on.

STEP 8

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.

Wires going to

Y

W

G

C

R

TIP:

If you have wires connected to both
control board you may have a two transformer system. Please
contact support to help you with installation: 1.877.932.6233 or

[e-mail].

R

Y

W

G

Rc and Rh terminals at the

your A/C
(ignore these)

Wires going to
your thermostat

STEP 9

Y

W

G

C

R

Disconnect the labeled R, Y, G and W wires
from the control board.

Y

W

G

C

R

G

W

Y

R

STEP 10

Connect the wires you disconnected from
the control board into their matching gray
terminal blocks on the Power Extender Kit.

W

Y

G

R

Y

W

G

R

TIP:

Press the buttons to insert the wires more easily.

STEP 11

Tug on the wires gently to ensure they are
securely connected.

W

Y

G

R

W

Y

G

R

TIP:

When a wire has been connected correctly, the button on that block
will lower.

STEP 12

Y

W

G

C

R

Connect the 5 white wires coming out of the
Power Extender Kit to the corresponding
terminals on your control board.

Y

W

G

C

R

R G Y W

TIP:

Once again, tug on the wires gently to ensure they are
securely connected.

CHECKPOINT: POWER EXTENDER KIT

Check that you have installed the Power
Extender Kit correctly. It should be installed
between your thermostat wiring and your
control board.

BEFORE

AFTER

STEP 13

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.

TIP:

Make sure your HVAC panel is fully closed. Some systems will not
turn on if the cover panel has not been closed properly.

STEP 14

Back at your thermostat: Carefully disconnect
and label the wires from your old thermostat
one at a time, using the labels provided.

W/W1

Rc

RC RH

Y/Y1

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.

STEP 15

Unscrew the mounting plate of your old
thermostat to remove it from the wall.

W/W1

C

R

Y/Y1

RC RH

WAR NIN G :

Be careful, as some thermostats may contain mercury. Recycle your
old thermostat safely with your local hazardous waste facility.

STEP 16

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.

R

R

H

Rc

Rc

G

G

Y1

Y1

Y2

Y2

O/B

O/B

H

C

C

W1

W1

W2

W2

PEK

PEK

OR

STEP 17: OPTIONAL

If using the trim plate, align the mounting

holes on the trim plate and backplate and
press them into place together.

STEP 18

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.

G

Y/Y1

Rc

W/W1

TIP:

Use a 3/16” drill bit to drill a hole for the drywall plugs.

STEP 19

Rc

G

Y1

Rc

G

Y1

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

Y1

Y2

O/B

TIP:

Press the terminal block levers to insert the wires more easily.

Rc

G

W/W1

Y/Y1

R

C

W1

W2

PEK

H

STEP 20

Tug on the wires gently to ensure they are
securely connected.

R

H

C

W1

W2

PEK

TIP:

When a wire has been connected correctly, the lever on that
block will lower.

STEP 21

Carefully push any excess wires back into the
hole and ensure there are no drafts coming
from the hole(s) in the wall.

TIP:

Large holes behind your thermostat will affect temperature readings.
Prevent drafts by covering the hole(s).

STEP 22

Gently press your ecobee thermostat into the
backplate until it ‘clicks’ into place.

Rc

G

W/W1

Y1

C

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.

STEP 23

Turn the power to your HVAC system back
on using the master switch or at the circuit
breaker box.

OFF

ON

OR

OFF

ON

STEP 24

Say hi to your new ecobee! The screen will
power on and guide you through the set-up
and registration.

hi

TIP:

If your thermostat does not power on, please see the
troubleshooting tips in the ‘Extras’ section.

ALL DONE!

Congratulations,
you did it!

To complete your set-up,
follow the instructions on
your ecobee screen.

EXTRAS

In here you’ll find:

Troubleshooting
Meet your ecobee
Wiring diagrams
Warranty and Legal

TROUBLESHOOTING

If your ecobee doesn’t turn on, please try
these steps:

1. Check that all wires are properly

inserted into the terminal blocks at

the thermostat. Tug on the wires to

ensure they are not loose.

R

H

C

W1

W2

PEK

2. Make sure your HVAC cover panel

is closed. Some systems will not turn

on if the cover panel has not been

closed properly.

TROUBLESHOOTING

3. If you have only one R wire (either

C , or RH), make sure it’s inserted

R, R

into the Rc terminal.

R (or R

C or RH) RC R (or RC or RH ) Rc

4. If you installed the Power Extender

Kit, make sure you inserted the wires

into the correct terminals:

G C

Y PEK

Rc

Y1

Y2

G

Your R, RC ,
or R

H wire

O/B

Rc

G

Y1

Y2

0/B

ecobee support is here to help:

Call:

1 877 932 6233 (North America)
1 647 428 2220 (international)

Email:

[e-mail]

Rc

H

R

G

C

W/W1

W1

W2

PEK

Y/Y1

MEET YOUR ECOBEE

Here’s what you’ll see on the home screen:

Slider to adjust

Temperature

System Mode

Humidity

Indoor
Temperature

Menu Live

Weather

Quick

Changes

MEET YOUR ECOBEE

And here’s what that means:

System Mode

Shows your current ecobee
setting [heat/cool/auto/off]

Humidity

Shows the indoor humidity
in your home

Temperature

Shows the temperature in
your home

Menu

Allows you to control your
system, schedule a vacation,
and more

Weather

Shows the local weather
and forecast for the week

Quick Changes

Touch this button to easily
switch from Home and Away

Slider to adjust
Temperature

Slide the bubble up or down to
adjust your preferred temperature

MEET YOUR ECOBEE

These system mode icons are shown on the
Home screen and in Quick Changes.

Heat

Your system is in heat mode.
A white icon means your
system is off. An orange icon
means your system is running.

Fan

Your fan is currently running.

Cool

Your system is in cool mode.
A white icon means your
system is off. A blue icon
means your system is running.

Auto

Your system is in Auto mode,
meaning your system will
heat or cool as required.

MEET YOUR ECOBEE

More common icons you’ll find:

Home Screen

2

Menu Menu

Menu

Registration

Vacation

Comfort Settings

Home

(with notification)

System

Settings

Away

Reminders

and Alerts

Comfort Settings

Sleep

Quick ChangesWeather

Schedule

About

Custom 1

(of 5)

WIRING DIAGRAM

Y1 Y2 C Y1 Y2 W1 W2 R C G

Conventional heating and cooling
(up to 2 stages each)

H

R

Rc

G

Y1

Y2

O/B

Air Conditioner Furnace

NOTE:

Do not jumper Rc or Rh. ecobee does this
automatically. The R wire needs to go into
the Rc terminal on your ecobee.

C

W1

W2

PEK

Stage 2 heat and cool,
if applicable

WIRING DIAGRAM

Heat pump (air or geothermal)
with auxiliary heat

Rc

G

Y1

Y2

O/B

W2O/B Y1 Y2 R C W1O/B W2 Y1 GY2 R C

Heat Pump Air Handler

NOTE:

Do not jumper Rc or Rh. ecobee does this
automatically. The R wire needs to go into
the Rc terminal on your ecobee.

Stage 2 compressor and
auxiliary heat, if applicable

H

R

C

W1

W2

PEK

WIRING DIAGRAM

Boiler or radiant system with air handler
and conventional cooling or heating

R

Rc

G

Y1

Y2

O/B

Air Handler

Y1 Y2 R C G

C

W1

W2

PEK

H

Air Conditioner
or 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.

Y2Y1 C O/B* W1 W2R

Boiler

*Reversing valve for

heat pumps only

Stage 2 heat and cool,
if applicable

WIRING DIAGRAM

Power Extender Kit thermostat wiring

Rc

G

Y1

Y2

O/B

W Y G R

Power Extender Kit

R G Y W

(at your HVAC system)

NOTE:

Do not jumper Rc or Rh. ecobee does this
automatically. The R wire needs to go into
the Rc terminal on your ecobee.

H

R

C

W1

W2

PEK

LEGAL

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. This equipment generates, uses
and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined
by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the
following measures:

– Reorient or relocate the receiving

antenna.

– Increase the separation between the

equipment and receiver.

– Connect the equipment into an outlet on

a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

– Consult the dealer or an experienced

radio/TV technician for help.

This device complies with part 15 of FCC
rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful
interference.

2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.

Change or modifications that are not
expressly approved by the manufacturer
could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.

RF Exposure Information:

This equipment complies with FCC
radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment. In order to avoid
the possibility of exceeding the FCC radio
frequency exposure limits, human proximity
to the antenna shall not be less than 20cm
during normal operation.

Industry Canada (IC)

Compliance Notice:

This device complies with Industry Canada
license-exempt RSS standard(s).

Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:

1. This device may not cause interference.

2. This device must accept any interference,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.

This Class B digital apparatus complies with
Canadian ICES-003.

RF Exposure Statement:

This equipment complies with IC RSS-102
radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment. This transmitter
must be installed to provide a separation
distance of at least 20 cm from all persons
and must not be collocated or operating
in conjunction with any other antenna or
transmitter

.

Industrie Canada (IC)

Avis de conformité :

Le présent appareil est conforme aux
CNR d’Industrie Canada applicables aux
appareils radio exempts de licence.

L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux
conditions suivantes :

1. l’appareil ne doit pas produire

de brouillage.

2. l’utilisateur de l’appareil doit accepter

tout brouillage radioélectrique subi,
même si le brouillage est susceptible d’en
compromettre le fonctionnement.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est
conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

Énoncé sur l’exposition aux fréquences
radio :

Cet équipement est conforme aux limites
d’exposition aux fréquences radio d’IC
RSS-102 définies pour un environnement
non contrôlé. Cet émetteur doit être installé
à au moins 20 cm de toute personne et
ne doit pas être colocalisé ou fonctionner
en association avec une autre antenne ou
émetteur.

FCC ID: WR9EBSTAT3LT01
IC ID: 7981A-EBSTAT3LT01
CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)

Warning: Changes or modifications not
expressly approved by ecobee Inc. could
void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.

3-Year Limited Warranty

ecobee warrants that for a period of three
(3) years from the date of purchase by the
consumer (“Customer”), the ecobee3 lite
(the “Product”) shall be free of defects in
materials and workmanship under normal
use and service. During the warranty
period, ecobee shall, at its option, repair
or replace any defective Products, at no

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. ecobee will
make the determination whether a
replacement product can be sent to you or
whether the product should be returned
to the following address: ecobee Customer
Service, 250 University Ave, Suite 400,
Toronto, Ontario, M5H 3E5, Canada. In the
event of a failure of a Product, Customer
may:

a. if Customer did not purchase the

Product directly from ecobee, contact
the third party contractor from whom
the Product was purchased to obtain
an equivalent replacement product,
provided the contractor determines that
the returned Product is defective and
Customer is otherwise eligible to receive
a replacement product;

b. contact ecobee directly for service

assistance at 1-877-932-6233 and ecobee
will make the determination whether
an advance equivalent replacement
Product can be sent to Customer with
return shipping supplies (in which case

a hold shall be put on Customer’s credit
card for the value of the replacement
Product until ecobee has received the
defective Product). Product should
be returned to the following address:
ecobee Customer Service, 250 University
Ave, Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario, M5H
3E5, Canada. If the returned Product is
found by ecobee to be defective and
Customer is otherwise eligible to receive
a replacement product, no amount shall
be charged to Customer’s credit card; or

c. ship the defective Product directly to

ecobee, in which case Customer shall
contact ecobee directly at 1-877-932­6233, so ecobee can make the required
shipping arrangements. Upon receipt of
the defective Product, ecobee will ship
an equivalent replacement product to
Customer, provided the returned Product
is found by ecobee to be defective and
Customer is otherwise eligible to receive
a replacement product.

This warranty does not cover removal or
reinstallation costs and shall not apply if
the damages were found to be caused by
something other than defects in materials
or workmanship, including without
limitation, if the Product:

– was operated/stored in abnormal use

or maintenance conditions;

– is repaired, modified or altered, unless

ecobee expressly authorizes such repair,
modification or alteration in writing;

– was subject to abuse, neglect, electrical

fault, improper handling, accident or acts
of nature;

– was not installed by a licensed Heating

Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
contractor; or

– was installed improperly.

ecobee’s sole responsibility shall be to
repair or replace the Product within the
terms stated above. ECOBEE SHALL NOT
BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE
OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING ANY SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES RESULTING, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, FROM ANY BREACH OF ANY
WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OR
ANY OTHER FAILURE OF THIS PRODUCT.
Some US states and Canadian provinces
do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, so
the above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you.

ecobee’s responsibility for malfunctions
and defects in materials and workmanship
is limited to repair and replacement as
set forth in this warranty statement. All
express and implied warranties for the
product, including but not limited to any
implied warranties and conditions of
merchantability and fitness for a particular
purpose, are limited to the three-year
duration of this limited warranty. No
warranties, whether expressed or implied,
will apply after the limited warranty period

has expired. Some US states and Canadian
provinces do not allow limitations on how
long an implied warranty lasts, so this
limitation may not apply.

ecobee neither assumes responsibility for
nor authorizes any other person purporting
to act on its behalf to modify or to change
this warranty, nor to assume for it any
other warranty or liability concerning this
product.

This warranty gives you specific rights,
and you may also have other rights which
vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. If you
have any questions regarding this warranty,
please write to ecobee Customer Service,
250 University Ave, Suite 400, Toronto,
Ontario, M5H 3E5, Canada.

Legal Notice

Use of the HomeKit™ logo means that an
electronic accessory has been designed
to connect specifically to iPod

®

, respectively, and has been

or iPad
certified by the developer to meet Apple
performance standards. Apple is not
responsible for the operation of this device
or its compliance with safety and regulatory
standards. Please note that the use of this
accessory with iPod, iPhone, or iPad may
affect wireless performance. Apple, iPhone,
iPad, and iPod touch are trademarks of
Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other
countries. HomeKit is a trademark of
Apple Inc

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