Ecobee – Room Sensors: FAQs, Setup Guide, and Troubleshooting

Category: Sensors

Answer:

What are Room Sensors?

ecobee Room Sensor and SmartSensor detect both temperature and occupancy.

They are designed to supplement the sensors built into compatible ecobee thermostats and can help improve comfort in bedrooms, nurseries, living rooms, and other frequently used spaces.

Compatible Thermostats

• Smart Thermostat Premium
• Smart Thermostat Enhanced
• SmartThermostat with voice control
• ecobee4
• ecobee3 lite
• ecobee3

Not Compatible With

• Smart Thermostat Essential
• Smart Thermostat Lite
• Smart Si

How can I use them in my home?

• Monitor occupancy in frequently used rooms.
• Support Smart Home/Away and Follow Me features.
• Help balance temperatures throughout the home.
• Participate in selected Comfort Settings such as Home, Away, and Sleep.

Recommended Placement

• Approximately 5 feet above the floor.
• Facing the room.
• Away from vents, fans, windows, and direct sunlight.

Room Sensor Specifications

Occupancy and Temperature Detection

• Detects temperature and occupancy.
• Uses infrared technology to detect body heat signatures.

Communication

• Uses 915MHz radio communication.
• Does not use Wi-Fi.

Range and Viewing Angle

• Range up to 45 feet from the thermostat.
• Viewing angle approximately 120° horizontal and 25–30° vertical.

Battery

• Uses one CR-2032 coin battery.
• Typical battery life is approximately one year.

Sensor Capacity

• Supports up to 32 Room Sensors per thermostat.

Viewing Sensor Status

On the thermostat:

1. Go to Main Menu.
2. Select General.
3. Select Sensors.

Sensor Status Indicators

• Active and participating.
• Inactive and not participating.
• Disconnected and not participating.

Pairing a New Sensor

1. Wake the thermostat and return to the Home Screen.
2. Pull the plastic tab from the back of the sensor.
3. Verify the 4-digit sensor ID matches the ID shown on the thermostat.
4. Select Pair Now.
5. Select or create a sensor name.
6. Select the Comfort Settings the sensor should participate in.
7. Select Next.
8. Select Finish.

Unpairing a Room Sensor

1. Go to Main Menu.
2. Select General.
3. Select Sensors.
4. Select the sensor.
5. Select the trash icon.
6. Select Unpair.

Room Sensor Won't Pair

1. Verify the battery is not low.
2. Remove the sensor battery.
3. Remove the thermostat from the wall for approximately two minutes.
4. Reinstall the thermostat.
5. Reinsert the sensor battery.
6. Hold the sensor close to the thermostat.
7. Follow the pairing prompt.

Room Sensor Reading N/A

Possible Causes

• Low battery.
• More than 45 feet from the thermostat.
• Interference from walls or other devices using 915MHz frequencies.

Unpairing and Re-pairing

1. Unpair the sensor.
2. Remove the sensor battery.
3. Power cycle the thermostat for approximately two minutes.
4. Reinstall the thermostat.
5. Reinsert the sensor battery.
6. Follow the pairing prompt.

Changing the Battery

1. Remove the battery cover or sensor stand.
2. Remove the CR-2032 battery.
3. Insert a new CR-2032 battery with the positive (+) side facing up.
4. Reinstall the cover or stand.

Re-pairing a Room Sensor

1. Remove the battery.
2. Gently lift the battery slot prongs.
3. Insert the battery with the positive (+) side facing down for two minutes.
4. Remove the battery.
5. Reinsert with the positive (+) side facing up.
6. Reinstall the cover.
7. Follow the pairing prompt on the thermostat.

Persistent Pairing Message

If a pairing prompt continues to appear:

1. Verify the displayed 4-digit ID does not belong to one of your sensors.
2. If the sensor belongs to another nearby ecobee user, select No, Don't Ask Again.
3. Select Yes, Ignore.

Ignored sensors can be managed under:

Main Menu > General > Sensors > Ignored Sensors

Good to Know

• ecobee3 lite does not include a built-in occupancy sensor.
• Room Sensors can be moved between compatible ecobee thermostats.
• Sensor placement, distance, and interference can affect performance.
• Low battery levels can cause pairing and connectivity issues.