Ecobee is one of the most popular home automation brands you will find around you. Different households use various Ecobee products, from Ecobee thermostats to Ecobee sensors and even Ecobee cameras. These devices make your stay at home more comfortable and secure.
One problem with a lot of home automation devices is the problem of connecting or adding them to the home kit. People often face different challenges or hurdles when connecting their devices to the home kit. We will discuss how to connect your Ecobee to the home kit and a host of other things below.
Why Isn’t My Ecobee Connecting to the Home Kit?
Several reasons your Ecobee thermostats and other devices might need to be connected to the home kit. Here are some of the reasons below.
- Firmware or Software Issues
This is one reason your Ecobee might not connect to the home kit. If the firmware of your Ecobee isn’t up to date, there is a big probability that your Ecobee will not connect to the home kit. You need to take your time to ensure you update the firmware of your Ecobee.
You can confirm if your thermostat is running on the latest software by going to the MAIN MENU section of your thermostat. Click on the ABOUT section and check the number listed. Look up the number to confirm if they are up to date.
- Thermostat Batteries
If the thermostat batteries are weak or dead, your thermostat will not be able to connect to the home kit. You have to take your time to check if your thermostat batteries are in good condition. If you have been using the thermostat for a while, the batteries may go flat, leading to the thermostat not connecting to the home kit.
- Network or Frequency Interference
Frequency interference is another reason your Ecobee sensor might not pair with your home kit. If another device is working or running on the same frequency as your Ecobee sensor, there is a good chance your Ecobee sensor will not pair with your home kit.
How To Add Ecobee to Homekit (Solution)
Once you have made the necessary connection on the backplate, you can turn the power back on. Now, gently push or connect your Ecobee thermostat to the backplate. Once you do this, your Ecobee should start up right away.
Launch the Ecobee app on your phone and click on the three icons at the top left of your screen. Click on manage home kit and click on the + button at the top right corner of your screen and click on add thermostat.
Click on the thermostat. A code should appear on the thermostat. Scan the code using the app and select the room you would like to pair with the homekit. Your thermostat should pair successfully with Homekit.
If you want to learn how to install your Ecobee thermostat, read the section below. It contains detailed steps to install a new thermostat.
How to Fix my Ecobee Sensor not Connecting to Homekit
You can use different methods to fix the problem of your Ecobee sensor not connecting to the home kit. Here are some tips to guide you on fixing your Ecobee sensor.
- Update Firmware or Software
You should update the firmware or software when your Ecobee sensor isn’t connecting to the home kit. Updating the firmware is easy. All you need to do is contact support and request an update.
Ensure you have your Ecobee serial number or your Ecobee registered email written out, as it will be needed for the update.
- Replace the Battery
You can do this once your Ecobee isn’t turning on or connecting to the home kit. You should check if the batteries are in good condition. If the batteries need to be in better shape, you should change the battery and connect the thermostat to the backplate. Your smart home device should turn n and pair immediately.
- Turn Off other Devices that Might Cause Interference
Another thing that can make it difficult for your Ecobee sensor to connect to the home kit is network interference. You must take your time to check if any devices can cause interference. Devices such as baby monitors or cordless phones should be turned off to stop interference.
How to Install an Ecobee Thermostat?
Installing your Ecobee thermostat is relatively easy. All you need to do is follow the proper steps, and you will be done within 2 minutes. Here is a guide on connecting your Ecobee thermostat to your home kit.
Step 1: Turn Off the Heating or Ventilation System
This is the first thing you must do if you are looking to replace or install your Ecobee thermostat. You must know that your thermostat should likely be connected to the wiring in your house, so you have to turn off the heating or the ventilation system in your home for safety reasons.
Safety should always come first. If you are unsure about the heating or ventilation system switch, you should turn off the power switch in your house. That way, you can do the necessary installation without worrying about an electrical accident.
2. Remove the Old Thermostat and Disconnect the Wires
Once you have turned off the ventilation system, the next thing you should do is remove the old thermostat and its backplate. You should see the wired connection on the backplate of the thermostat. Take your time to disconnect the wire.
Take a picture of the connection before you begin disconnection. This will allow you to know how the connection or wiring should go when installing the new Ecobee thermostat. If you notice no C-wire, you need a power extender kit. Once you successfully disconnect the wires, you can remove the old thermostat backplate from the wall.
3. Install the New Thermostat Backplates
You can install the new thermostat backplate after removing the old one from the wall. If the backplate doesn’t cover the old holes and markings, you can always use another backplate, as there are usually two backplates in your Ecobee thermostat.
Begin to connect the wiring to the backplates. Make sure the wires are connected appropriately. You can check the picture of the previous connection and ensure you connect the wires to the same terminals as they were on the old thermostat.
Ensure the R-wire is inserted in the RC terminal only. Even if the R-wire is in the RH terminal in the picture of the old connection, ensure the wire is connected to the RC terminal in this new connection. Tuck the wires a little to know if they are securely attached to the terminals.
4. Install the PEK or the Power Extender Kit to Serve as the C wire
Once you are done doing another wiring, you can go ahead and install the power extender kit to see the C-wire. Doing this is easy. Link your PEK to the control board of the house. Remove the wires in the furnace going to the thermostat. They are the R, G, Y, and W wires.
You will see five wires on the PEK. These wires are labeled according to the terminals they should be connected on the control board of the furnace. Once you have connected the wires to the control board of the house, you can connect the four wires of the thermostat to the PEK. once you have done this, you can begin to reconnect the wires on the backplate again. However, there will be some minor changes.
Install your R, RH, or RC wires into the RH terminal. Connect your C-wire to the G-terminal and your Y-wire to the PEK terminal. Connect other wires to the necessary terminals on the backplate. This connection only applies if you are using the PEK. You should see the other connection if you are not using the PEK extender
Conclusion
There are several reasons your Ecobee might not connect to the home kit. Some of these reasons have been discussed in this article. We also discussed installing your Ecobee device and much more. Read through to get details.
Source
https://support.ecobee.com/s/articles/Setting-up-Apple-HomeKit-with-your-ecobee-Thermostat
https://support.ecobee.com/s/articles/Using-HomeKit-with-your-ecobee-Thermostat