Ecobee – Indoor Air Quality Sensor FAQs

Category: Thermostats > Doing More With Your Thermostat

Answer:

Smart Thermostat Premium includes a built-in air quality sensor that monitors indoor air quality and provides air quality scores and pollutant estimates.

How It Works

What indoor air quality indicators does Smart Thermostat Premium monitor?

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• Estimated Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

The thermostat directly measures VOC levels and estimates CO2 levels based on the relationship between VOCs and human breath.

What is a relative sensor?

The indoor air quality sensor is a relative sensor.

Unlike an absolute sensor that uses a fixed reference point, a relative sensor estimates indoor air quality based on the air quality conditions it has experienced in your home over time.

As the sensor is exposed to more air quality variations, it becomes more accurate at estimating indoor air quality.

Viewing Air Quality Scores

Air quality scores can be viewed on the thermostat and in the ecobee app.

Air Quality Ratings

• Clean
• Fair
• Poor

The Indoor Air Quality Details screen also displays:

• VOC Levels
• Estimated CO2 Levels

Pollutant levels are displayed as:

• Low
• Moderate
• High

Seasonal Changes and Air Quality Readings

Opening and closing windows during seasonal transitions can expose the sensor to wider air quality variations and may result in more poor air quality readings.

After windows remain closed for several days, the sensor will recalibrate and air quality notifications may decrease.

Air Quality Ratings Explained

Clean

• Indoor air quality is excellent.
• No action is required.

Fair

• Indoor air quality is acceptable.
• Opening a window may help reduce VOC and CO2 levels.

Poor

• Ventilation is recommended.
• Opening a window may help improve indoor air quality.

Ventilation Alternatives

When opening windows is not practical:

• Replace the furnace filter.
• Add indoor plants.
• Install a ventilator such as an ERV.

Why Is My Air Quality Poor?

Common causes include:

• High occupancy near the thermostat.
• Cooking.
• Cleaning products.
• Painting projects.
• Stagnant air.
• Seasonal changes.

Sensor Calibration

Why does the sensor need time to calibrate?

Calibration is automatic.

Typical calibration time:

• Less than one hour

Maximum calibration time:

• Up to eight hours

Opening a window may help speed up calibration.

To expose the sensor to additional air quality variation:

• Open a door or window.
• Blow on the sensor.
• Open a wine bottle near the sensor.
• Open a strong-smelling cleaning product near the sensor.

The air quality sensor is located on the back of the thermostat near the bottom.

Disabling Air Quality Monitoring

On the thermostat:

1. Go to Main Menu.
2. Select General Settings.
3. Select Settings.
4. Select Air Quality Monitoring.
5. Select Disable.

What Are VOCs?

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are gases released from natural and manufactured products.

Common sources include:

• Cleaners and disinfectants
• Personal care products
• Paints and paint thinners
• Wood preservatives
• Hobby supplies and glue
• Flooring and carpet
• Furniture
• Air fresheners
• Cosmetics
• Cigarettes
• Cooking oils and gases
• Pesticides
• Fuel-burning appliances
• Human breath and skin
• Outdoor pollution sources

Why Does CO2 Matter?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced primarily through breathing and can also come from:

• Heaters
• Dryers
• Stoves
• HVAC equipment
• Cigarette smoke
• Outdoor pollution

Higher CO2 levels may be associated with:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Congestion
• Skin irritation
• Eye irritation
• Sore throat

Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Invest in a Whole-Home Ventilator

• Install an ERV or HRV system.
• Bring fresh air into the home.
• Remove stale indoor air.

Good to Know

Smart Thermostat Premium can control compatible whole-home ventilation equipment and can automatically run a ventilator for 20 minutes when poor air quality is detected (Beta feature).

Use a Portable Air Purifier

• Activated carbon filters may help reduce VOCs and CO2.

Open Windows and Doors

• Introduce fresh outdoor air.
• Use fans to improve circulation.

Add Indoor Plants

Examples include:

• Red-edged dracaena
• Weeping fig
• Bamboo palm

Control Sources of CO2

• Inspect fireplaces regularly.
• Use range hoods while cooking.
• Avoid smoking indoors or near the home.

Choose Low-VOC Products

• Use low-VOC paints and finishes.
• Reduce use of scented products.

Replace Furnace Filters

• Consider MERV 13 filters to help reduce airborne pollutants.