Ecobee – Reduce Your Auxiliary Heat Usage in a Heat Pump Configuration

Category: Thermostats > Doing More With Your Thermostat

Answer:

If your home uses a heat pump, you likely have an Auxiliary Heat source such as electric heat strips or a gas furnace. Auxiliary Heat is typically more expensive to operate than a heat pump.

You can reduce Auxiliary Heat usage by adjusting Threshold settings on your ecobee thermostat.

Good to Know

• Threshold settings can only be adjusted on the thermostat.
• Threshold settings cannot be changed through the ecobee app.

Accessing Threshold Settings

On the Thermostat

1. Go to Main Menu > General Settings > Settings.
2. Select Installation Settings.
3. Select Thresholds.

For Smart Thermostat Lite and Essential Owners

1. Go to Main Menu > Settings.
2. Select Installation Settings.
3. Select Thresholds.

Threshold Settings

Configure Staging

By default, Configure Staging is set to Automatically.

Options:

• Automatically
• Manually

When set to Manually, additional threshold settings become available.

Compressor Minimum Outdoor Temperature

Determines the lowest outdoor temperature at which the heat pump compressor is allowed to operate.

Default Setting:

• 35°F (1.7°C)

Good to Know

• Consult your heat pump manufacturer before lowering this value.
• Operating a compressor below its recommended temperature range may damage equipment.

Aux Heat Maximum Outdoor Temperature

Determines the highest outdoor temperature at which Auxiliary Heat can operate.

If outdoor temperatures exceed this setting, Auxiliary Heat will not run.

Using Automatic Staging

When Configure Staging is set to Automatically, use Aux Savings Optimization to control Auxiliary Heat usage.

Aux Savings Optimization Settings

• 2.0°F (1.1°C) – Sacrifice savings for comfort
• 2.3°F (1.3°C) – Slightly favor comfort
• 2.6°F (1.4°C) – Balance comfort and savings
• 2.9°F (1.6°C) – Slightly favor savings (default setting)
• 3.2°F (1.8°C) – Maximize savings

Good to Know

• Higher values delay Auxiliary Heat operation.
• Lower values engage Auxiliary Heat sooner for comfort.

Using Manual Staging

When Configure Staging is set to Manually, you can adjust one of the following settings.

Compressor to Aux Temperature Delta

Determines how many degrees the indoor temperature must fall below the thermostat setpoint before Auxiliary Heat is activated.

Higher values:

• Reduce Auxiliary Heat usage.
• Allow the heat pump more time to recover.

Lower values:

• Increase comfort.
• Engage Auxiliary Heat sooner.

Compressor to Aux Runtime

Determines how long the heat pump can run without reaching the desired temperature before Auxiliary Heat activates.

Higher values:

• Reduce Auxiliary Heat usage.
• Give the heat pump more time to reach the setpoint.

Lower values:

• Activate Auxiliary Heat sooner.
• Improve recovery speed during colder weather.

Tips for Reducing Auxiliary Heat Usage

• Increase Aux Savings Optimization when using Automatic Staging.
• Increase Compressor to Aux Temperature Delta when using Manual Staging.
• Increase Compressor to Aux Runtime when using Manual Staging.
• Verify your heat pump's recommended operating temperatures before adjusting thresholds.
• Monitor comfort levels after making changes to ensure the home remains comfortable while reducing operating costs.