Ecobee Thermostat - Configure Threshold Settings

Purpose

Use this procedure when a customer wants to view, adjust, or understand Threshold Settings on an Ecobee thermostat.

Customer Symptoms

Customer wants to:

• Adjust heating thresholds
• Adjust cooling thresholds
• Enable Auto Heat/Cool
• Improve HVAC efficiency
• Control staging settings
• Configure heat pump behavior
• Adjust compressor settings
• Modify temperature differentials
• Fine-tune thermostat operation

Important Warning

Threshold Settings directly affect HVAC operation.

If the customer is unfamiliar with their heating and cooling equipment, recommend consulting an HVAC professional or Ecobee Support before making changes.

Access Threshold Settings

Ecobee Smart Thermostats

1. Open Main Menu.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select Installation Settings.
4. Select Thresholds.

Smart Thermostat Lite and Essential

1. Open Main Menu.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select Installation Settings.
4. Select Thresholds.

Automatic vs Manual Staging

Automatic Staging (Recommended)

By default, Ecobee uses Automatic Staging.

Benefits include:

• Automatic heating control
• Automatic cooling control
• Smart equipment staging
• Optimized fan operation
• Energy efficiency management

Manual Staging

Manual Staging allows advanced control over:

• Temperature differentials
• Runtime settings
• Heat stages
• Cooling stages
• Auxiliary heat operation

Heat Pump Systems

If the thermostat controls a heat pump with auxiliary heat:

Aux Savings Optimization

Customers can prioritize:

• Maximum Savings
• Balanced Operation
• Maximum Comfort

For more detailed control, switch staging to Manual.

Common Threshold Settings

Auto Heat/Cool

Allows the thermostat to automatically switch between heating and cooling as needed.

Heat/Cool Minimum Delta

Controls the minimum temperature separation between:

• Heating setpoint
• Cooling setpoint

Heat Dissipation Time

Keeps the fan running briefly after heating stops to circulate remaining warm air.

Cool Dissipation Time

Keeps the fan running briefly after cooling stops to circulate remaining cool air.

Heat Differential Temperature

Determines how far the temperature must drop before heating starts.

Cool Differential Temperature

Determines how far the temperature must rise before cooling starts.

Heat Minimum On Time

Controls the minimum furnace runtime during a heating cycle.

AC Overcool Max

Allows cooling to continue beyond the setpoint to help reduce humidity.

Temperature Correction

Adjusts the thermostat temperature reading.

Range:

• Up to +10°F
• Up to -10°F

Only use if the thermostat is consistently reading too high or too low.

Humidity Correction

Adjusts the thermostat humidity reading.

Only use if humidity readings are consistently inaccurate.

Thermal Protect

Ignores sensors that appear to be reporting inaccurate temperatures.

Compressor Settings

Compressor Minimum Cycle Off Time

Prevents short cycling by requiring a minimum off period.

Compressor Minimum On Time

Sets the minimum compressor runtime.

Compressor Minimum Outdoor Temperature

Determines the lowest outdoor temperature at which the compressor can operate.

Compressor Stage 2 Temperature Delta

Determines when second-stage cooling activates.

Compressor Reverse Staging

Returns the system to first-stage cooling as the setpoint is approached.

Compressor Stage 1 Maximum Runtime

Limits how long first-stage cooling runs before advancing stages.

Heating Stage Settings

Heat Reverse Staging

Returns heating equipment to first-stage operation near the target temperature.

Heat Stage 2 Temperature Delta

Determines when second-stage heating activates.

Heat Stage 1 Maximum Runtime

Limits first-stage heating runtime before advancing.

Auxiliary Heat Settings

Auxiliary Heat Maximum Outdoor Temperature

Prevents auxiliary heat from operating above a specified outdoor temperature.

Auxiliary Heat Minimum On Time

Sets the minimum runtime for auxiliary heat.

Compressor to Auxiliary Temperature Delta

Determines how far the temperature can drift before auxiliary heat engages.

Compressor to Auxiliary Runtime

Determines how long the heat pump runs before switching to auxiliary heat.

Auxiliary Stage 2 Temperature Delta

Determines when second-stage auxiliary heat activates.

Auxiliary Reverse Staging

Disengages auxiliary heat near the end of a heating cycle and returns operation to the heat pump.

Auxiliary Stage 1 Maximum Runtime

Limits first-stage auxiliary heat runtime before second-stage operation begins.

Energy Saving Behavior

During:

• Away Comfort Settings
• Custom Comfort Settings marked "Someone is usually Away"

Ecobee automatically adds:

• 1°F differential
• 0.6°C differential

before starting heating or cooling to improve energy efficiency.

Troubleshooting

System Cycles Too Frequently

Review:

• Heat Differential Temperature
• Cool Differential Temperature
• Minimum On Time settings

Home Feels Too Warm or Too Cool

Review:

• Temperature Correction
• Heat/Cool Delta
• Comfort Settings

Heat Pump Uses Auxiliary Heat Too Often

Review:

• Aux Savings Optimization
• Compressor to Aux Delta
• Compressor to Aux Runtime

Expected Outcome

Threshold Settings are properly configured to balance comfort, HVAC performance, equipment protection, and energy efficiency based on the customer's HVAC system and preferences.