Full Answer
What is an ecobee power extender kit?
The Power Extender Kit gives your smart thermostat the constant power it needs to operate. Your Ecobee smart thermostat includes a free Power Extender Kit. Brigid Levi is a wife, mother, and freelance writer who enjoys a good DIY project and creating beautiful spaces within her home.
What wires do I need for a power extender kit?
In order to use a Power Extender Kit, your HVAC control board must include the G, R, W, and Y wires. The chart below gives a quick color guide for the wire functions. Note that wire colors may vary. These are simply the common colors. Power Extender Kits do not support thermostats with only two wires.
How do powerline extenders work?
The best powerline extenders can seemingly do magic by filling a home’s pesky Wi-Fi dead zones with data. Instead of pumping out a fresh Wi-Fi signal with an extender and hoping for the best, powerline technology uses the house’s power cables inside its walls to put data just about anywhere there’s an AC outlet.
What is the best power extender for a house without C-wire?
The Ecobee3 power extender kit is the ultimate solution to houses without a C-Wire. While the perfect solution to the problem is pulling a C-Wire, most homeowners skip this lengthy and sometimes professional process in favor of the simpler DIY solutions.
What does the power extender kit do?
The Ecobee Power Extender Kit works by connecting to your home's existing thermostat wires to create a complete circuit; this provides continuous 24-volt AC power to your thermostat for homes that don't have a C wire.
How do you install a power extender kit?
0:235:07How to install your ecobee smart thermostat and Power Extender Kit.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBoard use a screwdriver to carefully loosen the screws on your control board and disconnect theMoreBoard use a screwdriver to carefully loosen the screws on your control board and disconnect the wires. Take a photo of the wires to help you remember which terminals they were plugged.
Can I use ecobee without C wire?
The most common need for additional wiring when installing an ecobee comes from the lack of a C wire. Depending on your system, the Power Extender Kit (PEK) included in the box with every ecobee may be able to provide a C wire connection.
What does a Pek do?
The ecobee PEK provides the constant electrical power needed to run the display and connect to WiFi in systems without a C-Wire. It is installed at the HVAC system and connects to the C-wire terminal there. But, since the wires running to your thermostat don't have a C-wire, it instead uses the R-Wire.
What can I use if I don't have a C wire for my thermostat?
1:212:52What if I Don't Have a C-Wire? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you don't have an extra unused wire you can also substitute your Jew wire for your C wire verifyMoreIf you don't have an extra unused wire you can also substitute your Jew wire for your C wire verify that the thermostat is wired to the furnace.
Can you install Nest thermostat without C wire?
You can install a Nest Thermostat without a C-wire by using a C-wire adapter, that mimics a traditional C-Wire without you having to wire it.
Why does ecobee use a common C wire?
Also known as the common wire, the C wire enables the continuous flow of 24VAC power that ecobee thermostats need to operate.
How do you know if you have C wire?
0:354:38How to Tell if Your Thermostat Has a C Wire - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLikely there is gonna be a fifth wire tucked into the wall I'm thinking that's going to be our CMoreLikely there is gonna be a fifth wire tucked into the wall I'm thinking that's going to be our C wire most likely because as you can see we have a green a yellow a white in a red.
Is C wire the same as RC wire?
The C and Rc wires are not the same. To install this thermostat you should follow the exact same wiring of the previous thermostat.
How do you extend a thermostat wire?
1:5517:08How to Splice Thermostat / Control Wire with the "NASA Splice"YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first step just cut this out. When you're stripping back thermostat wire. This is just typicalMoreThe first step just cut this out. When you're stripping back thermostat wire. This is just typical 18:8 South wires number set wire and when you're stripping it back I want you to snip into the end.
What is a Pek wire?
If you're lacking a C wire and have at least four wires at your thermostat to work with (refer to this article if you only have two wires), you'll want to install the Power Extender Kit (PEK). The PEK gets installed at your furnace control board and is wired in with your existing thermostat wires to create a C.
What color is C wire?
Blue wiresBlue wires are also called “C” wires because they are the Common wire. C wires are necessary for any “smart” thermostat that needs to be connected to a power source 24/7, regardless of your heat pump type.
Does ecobee work with 2 wires?
My heat-only system only has two or three wires connected to the thermostat. Am I compatible with ecobee? ecobee thermostats require a C (common) wire to power on. If your current thermostat uses only two wires (R and W, or T and T) or three wires (R, W, and G), a few installation options are available.
How do I install ecobee smart thermostat with only 2 wires?
0:3823:57Install a 2 wire thermostat to ECOBEE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd there where you got that wy r GC. Again I don't have like any air conditioning. So it's only twoMoreAnd there where you got that wy r GC. Again I don't have like any air conditioning. So it's only two wires. And you can see the common is right here. Right here so you're gonna plug the extra wire.
Can I use the G wire for the C wire?
Using the g-wire as a c-wire If you can't find an unused wire or common wire, you can also use the fan wire or g-wire as a common wire.
What is C wire required?
Known as the common wire, (C-Wire) provides Wi-Fi thermostats continuous power from heating (e.g. furnaces) and cooling systems (e.g. Air Conditioning systems). C-Wires are required on all Resideo Wi-Fi thermostats.
How many wires are in a power extender?
There are five wires coming out of the Power Extender Kit—G, R, W, Y, and C. Connect these wires to the corresponding terminal in the HVAC control board.
What is an Ecobee extender?
In order to complete the circuit on your thermostat, the Ecobee Power Extender Kit connects to your existing thermostat wires. The Power Extender Kit functions as a C wire, providing constant 24-volt AC electricity to your thermostat. It should be installed on your HVAC’s control board.
How to install a 24V transformer?
To install a 24-volt transformer, attach one of the two wires to the C terminal on the thermostat. Attach the other wire to the R terminal. 24-volt transformers are compatible with any smart thermostat or video doorbell.
How many customers have switched to Ecobee thermostat?
Do you want to join the 11 million customers who’ve made the switch to an Ecobee smart thermostat? Maybe you’re worried it won’t be compatible with your HVAC system’s wiring.
What to do before disconnecting wires?
Before disconnecting anything, take a picture of how the wires are connected. It serves as a reminder if you need a reference at any point in the installation process.
Does Ecobee have a power extender?
Your Ecobee smart thermostat includes a free Power Extender Kit. If something happens to it, they are not sold separately through Ecobee. Amazon sells separate Power Extender Kits. If upon installing your Power Extender Kit you notice a malfunction, contact Ecobee support. They can help you through the warranty process.
Do Ecobee extenders work with thermostats?
Power Extender Kits do not support thermostats with only two wires. The Ecobee support page details other options for homes that don’t support the Power Extender Kit.
What is Ecobee3 power extender?
The Ecobee3 power extender kit is the ultimate solution to houses without a C-Wire. While the perfect solution to the problem is pulling a C-Wire, most homeowners skip this lengthy and sometimes professional process in favor of the simpler DIY solutions.
How Does the Ecobee PEK Work?
The Ecobee power extender kit uses the power stealing technology meaning that it will try to steal as much energy as it can from the HVAC control lines to recharge its batteries. The thermostat gets more energy when the system is off and gets less when it’s running meaning that the chances of failure are higher if your AC is almost ever running.
What is power stealer?
Power Stealing, a technology that lets the smart thermostat draw enough power from the control wires without triggering the HVAC system. This is one of the many ways to wire a thermostat without a conventional C-wire. Using the power extender kit is mandatory if you use 2 wire only heating systems.
Do you need a power extender for Ecobee?
Using the power extender kit is mandatory if you use 2 wire only heating systems. The ecobee 2 wire installation procedure will either rely on this PEK installation guide or an alternative approach that uses the Fast-Stat common maker.
Can Ecobee3 extender be used all year?
The only sure way to keeping your new smart thermostat running all day all year is by having a professional pull a dedicated C Wire from your HVAC equipment.
How many wires does the Ecobee use?
I don't think there's a compromise. It just uses the combined current from 4 wires to power the Ecobee without batteries. It's more inconvenient than having a C wire, but that's about it.
What is the PEK on a thermostat?
The PEK connects the G-wire from the PEK to the C-terminal on the thermostat, and the Y-wire from the PEK to a special PEK terminal on the thermostat. This means we've "lost" our fan signal. But the thermostat knows it's connected to a PEK thanks to the Y-wire.
How to evaluate powerline extender?
To evaluate each powerline extender set, we test each in a variety of ways. In addition to price and physical design, we test to find the throughput, range, and bandwidth over distance as well as temperature and power consumption.
Which is the best powerline adapter?
It’s a close call, but the Netgear PLP2000’s superior throughput trumped the TP-Link’s TL-PA9020P’s extended range, making it our choice as the best Powerline adapter. With the ability to move more data, the PLP2000 outperformed the crowd and filled a previously unconnected garage with more than enough data to watch videos, play games and live online.
How much does a Trendnet TPL-423E2K cost?
At $70 for the set, the TPL-423E2K is a must-have for those who choose low costs and reliability over all-out performance in powerline devices. The Trendnet TPL-423E2K offers affordability and the assurance that it will work for years, even if that function doesn't have the range and bandwidth of more expensive competitors.
What is TP link TL-PA9020P?
TP-Link’s TL-PA9020P can help fill a big home with powerline data thanks to its class-leading range. It may be off the blistering pace set by the PLP2000, but the TL-PA9020 has the power to push data through more than 1,000-feet of electrical wiring and delivered top-speed to a previously unconnected garage. Its pair of Ethernet ports and AC passthrough outlet mean that it not only won’t hog your home’s outlets but can supply data to two devices, like a smart TV and a computer.
What is Trendnet TPL-423E2K?
The Trendnet TPL-423E2K is for those who care more about value and a three-year warranty than getting the top performance, extra range or the ability to service two networked devices. Overall, the TPL-423E2K offers the enviable combination of low upfront price and low operating costs, making it the one for penny-pinchers to get.
Can a powerline extender be used to cover a deadspot?
The best powerline extenders can fill a home's pesky Wi-Fi deadspots seemingly by magic. Using a house's own power cabling, it sends signals in the walls to any connected AC outlet to spread the reach of your network to the farthest rooms, without blindly pumping fresh Wi- Fi signal.
Do you need a powerline extender?
Powerline extenders replace lengthy runs of Ethernet cable with the wiring that's already in your walls, making it a great option for anyone that wants to stretch their network connectivity to new rooms. But is a powerline extender right for you?
installing the ecobee smartthermostat with voice control
The ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control uses the same PEK as the ecobee4 and the ecobee3 lite. The ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control also has the same wire terminal placement as the ecobee4.
installing the ecobee4
The ecobee4 uses the same PEK as the ecobee3 lite. While the PEK installation process for the ecobee3 lite and ecobee4 is virtually identical, some of the terminals on the ecobee itself have been moved around. To avoid confusion, please follow the instructions below when installing your ecobee4.
installing the ecobee3 lite
The ecobee3 lite has different terminals from the ecobee3 and also uses a different PEK, so please follow the instructions below if you're installing the PEK with your ecobee3 lite.
installing the ecobee3
The ecobee3 has different terminals from the ecobee3 lite and ecobee4. It also uses a different model of PEK, so if you're installing the ecobee3, please follow the instructions in the video below.
How many V does an Ecobee fan use?
When I turned on the fan only, the Ecobee would apply 12V to the Y wire. When I turned on the Air Conditioning, the Ecobee applied 24V to the Y wire. Also, when I turned the heat on, the Ecobee would apply 24V to the W wire (as a normal thermostat would) and 12V to the Y wire (for the fan).
What is the R wire on an Ecobee?
G (used to be Fan) gets re-purposed as the C (common ground) wire. So the Ecobee itself is powered by the R & C (used to be G) wires.
