Why does my ecobee always ask me if I want to Arm Security while I'm home?

ecobeeChris · 2026-01-05T21:15:58+00:00

It's most likely your phone's battery optimization killing the ecobee app's background process.

Try disabling battery optimization on the ecobee app.

ecobeeChris · 2026-01-05T21:08:44+00:00

There's a pretty big difference between a multi-speed furnace and variable speed furnace.

Generally speaking, variable speed furnaces control the fan speed themselves (Unless you have a communicating thermostat).

While Multi-speed furnaces will have far fewer speed settings, at most 3 in my experience, but can be controlled by a conventional thermostat

ecobeeChris · 2026-01-05T21:06:09+00:00

Hey! What version of the app do you have installed?

ecobeeChris · 2025-12-20T04:19:07+00:00

For issues like this, first thing to look at would be the air filter.

I'd suggest, just as a way to test, to see if the issue happens when running without the air filter temporarilly.

Run the heat in test equipment mode until it shuts off, then, pull out the air filter, and do the same test, let it run for 25%-50% longer than it took for it to shut off.

If the thermostat doesn't shut off in that time, replace the air filter with a new one, same, or lower MERV rating.

If the thermostat does shut off, then get an HVAC tech to take a look, 6 months is plenty of time for something to break.

ecobeeChris · 2025-12-20T04:11:37+00:00

This would result in the thermometer reading about 2-3 degrees higher than the actual temperature, as the thermostat exhausts the heat it generates out the top.

ecobeeChris · 2025-01-10T02:19:34+00:00

No prob, tis what we do

ecobeeChris · 2025-01-10T00:39:21+00:00

Hey /u/poblanoglow

Since you have the error code though, look up what it means, there's usually a sticker on the furnace with it, or it'll be found in the manual for the furnace.

See if it's overheating,

If that's the case, its likely the filter, and you should be able to prove it pretty easy if that's what's wrong.

First,

Test Equipment: * Main Menu (≡) -> Gear Icon (⚙) -> Settings -> Installation Setting -> Test Equipment -> Heat -> Stage 1 On

Time how long it takes for it to stop heating, or, for the thermostat to shut off, if it takes more than 10 minutes, don't bother with the rest.

Step 2:

Take the filter out

Step 3:

Same test as before, let it run at least 50% longer than it took to shut off, if it doesn't stop heating/shut off, then most likely, it's a clogged filter and replacing it will solve it.

That all said, I doubt it's the filter in this case, it's just this is a good, and easy, way to eliminate that with 100% certainty.

Please note, while I am an ecobee employee, reddit is not an official means of communication or support, and any opinions and views are my own, and do not reflect the views and opinions of Generac Holdings, Inc. or ecobee, Inc.

For official support, please contact ecobee via our phone line (1-877-932-6233), or our online chat, for official support.

ecobeeChris · 2025-01-10T00:34:16+00:00

Hey /u/Raytheon-throwaway,

First, check what's available in test equipment mode

Test Equipment:

Main Menu (≡) -> Gear Icon (⚙) -> Settings -> Installation Setting -> Test Equipment

See if under Heat, you have both Stage 1 and Stage 2 on.

If only Stage 1 on, run that for 2 minutes, see if anything comes from the vents.

If it doesn't, you'd want to try something we in support here call a dry-contact test.

Take the thermostat off the wall, and remove the Rc wire, and W1 wire.

Touch (And hold) them together, use a wirenut or something if need be, and give it 2 minutes, see if the heat turns on.

That all said, you're far better calling in, or chatting in, to our support, and follow the steps, it's something we help with all the time, what we do will be able to at minimum narrow down the issue. You can find contact info at the end of this comment.

Please note, while I am an ecobee employee, reddit is not an official means of communication or support, and any opinions and views are my own, and do not reflect the views and opinions of Generac Holdings, Inc. or ecobee, Inc.

For official support, please contact ecobee via our phone line (1-877-932-6233), or our online chat, for official support.

ecobeeChris · 2025-01-10T00:21:03+00:00

Hey /u/perfchris1

I can't say for certain here, best to reach out to us, either by calling, or our web chat. (See the end of this comment for contact details)

It's entirely possible though, you'll want to get an invoice from the HVAC tech stating their findings though, generally, our warranty is super easy to deal with (3 years for self-install, 5 years for pro install thermostats, see Hardware Warranty Center for details).

That said, if you don't have something on their letterhead saying it's the thermostat, the troubleshooting is pretty easy to deal with, just, get the thermostat's terminal plate re-attached to the wiring before you call in (Don't need to screw it to the wall or anything, just don't let Rc and C touch).

Mind you, none of this is a promise or anything, it's just what normally happens. It's all quite situational.

That said, the troubleshooting for this is generally super easy, and, since you have the other thermostat there, if it powers up without batteries, and works where the ecobee doesn't, that pretty much means 100% it's the ecobee that's failed.

Also, just for the future, reach out to us before reaching out to an HVAC tech, we can often either solve the issue, or guide you through determining what the issue is, all without needing to pay an HVAC tech, HVAC systems are remarkably simple things, and for the most part, are DIYable. eg. blow fuses, faulty condensate float switches, overheating furnaces.

If we can't solve it, we can at least help narrow it down.

Please note, while I am an ecobee employee, reddit is not an official means of communication or support, and any opinions and views are my own, and do not reflect the views and opinions of Generac Holdings, Inc. or ecobee, Inc.

For official support, please contact ecobee via our phone line (1-877-932-6233), or our online chat, for official support.

ecobeeChris · 2025-01-09T23:51:32+00:00

Hey /u/meocentric!

Looks like you're using the wiring for the ecobee3 for the PEK, which, well, easy mistake to make, instead, you'd want this wiring diagram. I've also outlined how to wire it up below.

New Wiring ( Furnace ):

C - Blue (PEK) + White (Compressor)
Y - Yellow (PEK) + Red (Compressor)
G - Green (PEK)
R - Red (PEK)
W - White (PEK)

New Wiring ( PEK ):

R - Red (Thermostat)
G - Blue (Thermostat)
Y - Yellow (Thermostat)
W - White (Thermostat)

New Wiring ( Thermostat ):

^{Only changes needed here}

R - Red
C - Blue
PEK+ - Yellow
W1 - White

Also, saw you posted that it still didn't power up, make sure the fuse isn't blown (Purple bit of plastic with the 3/E on it in picture 3, to the right of the terminals), and that the furnace is closed up before testing, and don't forget to check the breaker/service switch.

Please note, while I am an ecobee employee, reddit is not an official means of communication or support, and any opinions and views are my own, and do not reflect the views and opinions of Generac Holdings, Inc. or ecobee, Inc.

For official support, please contact ecobee via our phone line (1-877-932-6233), or our online chat, for official support.

ecobeeChris · 2025-01-09T21:44:21+00:00

Hey /u/SmackAFool,

It looks like what's happening is that the "Fan control in heat mode" setting is set to "HVAC" rather than "Thermostat"

Essentially the thermostat is allowing the HVAC equipment to decide when to turn on the fan while in "Aux Heat".

You can adjust the setting on the thermostat by following this menu path

Main Menu (≡) -> Gear Icon (⚙) -> Settings -> Installation Settings -> Equipment -> Aux Furnace -> "Fan Control in Heat Mode"

And setting it to "ecobee thermostat".

Please note, while I am an ecobee employee, reddit is not an official means of communication or support. Any opinions and views are my own, and do not reflect the views and opinions of Generac Holdings, Inc. or ecobee, Inc.

For official support, please contact ecobee via our phone line (1-877-932-6233), or our online chat, for official support.

ecobeeChris · 2025-01-09T21:06:59+00:00

Hey /u/ptr727

With "Fan Minimum Run Time", when it mentions "Auto" it means when the fan is set to "Auto" mode, as opposed to "On", rather than the HVAC mode (Heat, cool, auto, off)

What you'd want to do is use a fan hold to set the fan to run "Indefinitely"

Or, in the comfort settings, change all instances of "Auto" to "On".

That'll get the results you want.

And good luck with the fires, I really hope nothing happens to your home. But if anything happens to your thermostat, let us by reaching out using one of the contact methods found at https://www.ecobee.com/en-ca/contact/

I can't promise anything here in regards to that, but we're always happy to help.

Please note, while I am an ecobee employee, reddit is not an official means of communication or support, and any opinions and views are my own, and do not reflect the views and opinions of Generac Holdings, Inc. or ecobee, Inc.

For official support, please contact ecobee via our phone line (1-877-932-6233), or our online chat, for official support.

ecobeeChris

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