Full Answer
Does the ecobee power extender kit work with other thermostats?
Unfortunately, the Power Extender Kit only works with an Ecobee smart thermostat. It’s incompatible with other smart thermostats. For a universal power option, get a 24-volt transformer. This plugs into a standard wall outlet and functions like the C wire.
How does the ecobee Pek work?
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.
What wires do I need to run an ecobee?
One wire that is important for the ecobee is the Common wire, also called the C-Wire. The C-Wire gives a constant power supply of 24 volts to the thermostat and is usually present on some digital and all smart thermostats. It is required to run any thermostat that uses WiFi like your ecobee.
How does the ecobee work without a battery?
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. Thank you for taking the time to respond but this is incorrect.
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What does ecobee power extender 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 I wire my ecobee power extender?
1:495:07How to install your ecobee smart thermostat and Power Extender Kit.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing the magnetized. Back mount your power extender kit to a metal surface. Inside your hvac.MoreUsing the magnetized. Back mount your power extender kit to a metal surface. Inside your hvac. System taking care not to strain the wires.
Does ecobee3 Lite come with power extender kit?
Yes it comes complete with everything you Might require.
Where does ecobee get power from?
the furnaceIf your ecobee was previously powered on and working fine, a sudden black screen usually indicates insufficient voltage going to the thermostat. The ecobee draws power from the furnace, so any disruption to this power source will result in a loss of power at the thermostat.
Does ecobee work without C wire?
Your ecobee3 does not need them. Some thermostats do not have a C-wire. The C-wire is used to reliably provide power to the thermostat. In this case, the PEK can use the existing wires to power your thermostat.
Does ecobee work without electricity?
But don't worry—your Ecobee will automatically come back on and resume normal function as soon as the power is restored. Smart thermostats keep functioning even if the power or internet is lost and will continue to operate according to the initial schedule.
What is included in the box with the ecobee3 Lite?
ecobee lite box contents: instruction manuals, optional wall plate (to hide paint differences or wall damage left by your previous thermostat), the ecobee lite unit, the Power Extender Kit for optional use inside your furnace, the thermostat backplate, and some mounting screws.
Does ecobee come with C wire adapter?
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.
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.
Why does my ecobee keep turning off?
There are three reasons why an Ecobee thermostat may be rebooting often: The wiring to the thermostat is damaged, loose, or installed incorrectly. The furnace is overheating. The HVAC unit needs to be cleaned or serviced.
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.
Does the ecobee have a battery?
They use button/cell batteries (CR2032). Easily replaced when they need to be. Ecobee says they'll last for up to 4 years before needing replacing.
How do you wire ecobee?
2:243:51How to install ecobee SmartThermostat Pro with voice ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe can install the wires going to the ecobee. Itself. There will be some minor wiring changesMoreWe can install the wires going to the ecobee. Itself. There will be some minor wiring changes carefully insert your R RH or RC wire into the RC terminal your g wire into the c terminal.
Where does e wire go on ecobee?
The E wire normally connects to the ecobee's W1 terminal.
What is the O B wire on a thermostat?
O, B, O/B: These wires are responsible for switching the changeover valve in a heat pump system. The O wire reverses the valve from heating to cooling, and the B wire switches the valve from cooling to heating. Sometimes it might be a single O/B wire instead of two separate wires.
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 the Ecobee have a 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.
Is the Ecobee4 the same as the Ecobee3?
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Do I Need a Power Extender Kit?
If you already have a C wire, then you don’t need a Power Extender Kit for your Ecobee thermostat. Follow these steps to determine what existing wires you have.
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.
How to discharge Ecobee PEK?
The manufacturer advises you to discharge your body of any static electricity by touching a grounded metal object and never to touch the internal component but to grab the devices by the edges as they are susceptible to electrostatic discharge.
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.
About the Ecobee Power Extender Kit
Ecobee thermostats are easy to install by yourself if your home has a C wire, or “common wire.” Smart thermostats require a C wire to provide constant electricity to the thermostat. Even when the thermostat is off, it needs power to run the display screen and other essential functions.
Do I Need to Use the Power Extender Kit?
If there is already a C wire attached to your HVAC system’s control board, then don’t worry about installing the PEK. You won’t need it.
Power Extender Kit Requirements
To use an Ecobee Power Extender Kit, your HVAC control board must have four wires: the G, R, W, and Y wires.
Installing the Ecobee PEK
You will install the Power Extender Kit before installing the Ecobee thermostat. Make sure power to your HVAC system is switched off at the breaker box before starting any installation.
Ecobee Power Extender Kit Compatibility
Unfortunately, the Ecobee PEK isn’t compatible with other brands of thermostats.
Final Thoughts
If you aren’t a trained electrician, it may be difficult to understand how the Ecobee thermostat’s Power Extender Kit works. After reading this post, we hope you feel confident knowing how to determine whether you need to use the PEK and install it safely.
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.
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.
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).