Ecobee 3 Thermostat for Geo Heat Pumps
Last Post 27 Feb 2015 03:29 PM by a0128958. 5 Replies.
Printer Friendly
Sort:
PrevPrev NextNext
You are not authorized to post a reply.
Author Messages
teshj314User is Offline
New Member
New Member
Send Private Message
Posts:39

--
26 Feb 2015 11:18 AM
Been installing the Ecobee 3 Thermostat on a few of my recent projects. I like this thermostat such that it has Nest like features, but also enables me to set the balance point of the system to bring on auxiliary heat when needed. I also like the fact that I can mount all of my thermostats in the mechanical rooms and rely on the remote sensors to sense temperature and bring on the conditioning. Are there any installers who have used this thermostat before? What are the pros and cons of this thermostat in your opinion?
Bill NeukranzUser is Offline
Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Send Private Message
Posts:1103

--
26 Feb 2015 01:53 PM
We occasionally use the commercial version of Ecobee, especially the non-touchscreen version (very straight forward, doesn't have a sometimes finicky touch screen). We think these are very solid.

I was a beta tester for the E3. Did not leave them installed because determined that they're not compatible with WaterFurnace's zoning controller.

The biggest complaint I have with Ecobee is that they push firmware updates without notice. Not something we can deal with in commercial buildings, especially churches and restaurants.

Keep in mind that the Ecobees are Wi-Fi only. You don't have the option of a wired Ethernet connection. This too is probably fine in a residential setting, but it's problematic in a commercial structure sometimes.

We're moving over the Network Thermostat, where we can get the commercial features we need (no surprise firmware updates, Ethernet as well as Wi-Fi, etc.)

Best regards,
Bill
Energy reduction & monitoring</br>
American Energy Efficiencies, Inc - Dallas, TX <A
href="http://www.americaneei.com">
(www.americaneei.com)</A></br>
Example monitoring system: <A href="http://www.welserver.com/WEL0043"> www.welserver.com/WEL0043</A>
joe.amiUser is Offline
Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Send Private Message
Posts:4377
Avatar

--
27 Feb 2015 08:53 AM
I preferred the EBstat 2. The short comings of the EB3 are that if you want to hang the thermostat in the same place as the old one you must run 7 wire where with the 2 you could use existing 4 wire. I also don't like that once auxiliary comes on it will not shut off until set point is reached (vs reverse stage).
Other than that it is better than most any other system I've found though we are working with Tony at EZE controls and considering making our own.
j
Joe Hardin
www.amicontracting.com
We Dig Comfort!
www.doityourselfgeothermal.com
Dig Your Own Comfort!
teshj314User is Offline
New Member
New Member
Send Private Message
Posts:39

--
27 Feb 2015 11:04 AM
So far I have had nothing but a great experience with the EB3's. It is interesting to note what Joe is saying about about reverse stage.
The main thing that I am having to overcome the Crestrons and Lutrons systems that people want to install.
I simply want a way to monitor my systems and ensure that the geo is working the way that it was designed and installed to work.
I also want the ability to see a history as well.

I cant get that with the Crestrons and Lutrons.
joe.amiUser is Offline
Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Send Private Message
Posts:4377
Avatar

--
27 Feb 2015 11:40 AM

Agreed I use the ecobees for a subscription fee free monitoring system. I had greater versatility with the last series but a represenative told me they discontinued them due to some of the components not being available any longer.
I will say that while I'm looking for something more to my liking they are still better than my other choices. The EZE systems will be expandable to what ever data points I want to monitor and upgradable to handle more complicated hydronic systems.
Just trying to see where we are going to be on cost.

IMHO before long many products will have to use their own thermostats so we may not get to choose.
j
Joe Hardin
www.amicontracting.com
We Dig Comfort!
www.doityourselfgeothermal.com
Dig Your Own Comfort!
Bill NeukranzUser is Offline
Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Send Private Message
Posts:1103

--
27 Feb 2015 03:29 PM
I had forgotten that the touch screen version (commercial and residential) indeed is a 4 wire system - 2 wires for communication and 2 for power.  Fabulous such that you know you can install it anywhere!

Plus, with the touch screen version you're connecting auxiliary stuff (humidifiers, etc.) at the air handler unit, not all the way to the tstat location.

Joe's got it right in his description of the touch screen version (EBStat2?).

And in fact we still use this version, in spite of not liking the finicky touch screen, when we only have 4 wires to work with.

And I agree with Joe on the life cycle of tstats.  WaterFurnace is an excellent example of proprietary tstats now.

Best regards,

Bill
Energy reduction & monitoring</br>
American Energy Efficiencies, Inc - Dallas, TX <A
href="http://www.americaneei.com">
(www.americaneei.com)</A></br>
Example monitoring system: <A href="http://www.welserver.com/WEL0043"> www.welserver.com/WEL0043</A>
You are not authorized to post a reply.

Active Forums 4.1
Membership Membership: Latest New User Latest: janvin New Today New Today: 0 New Yesterday New Yesterday: 0 User Count Overall: 34705
People Online People Online: Visitors Visitors: 107 Members Members: 1 Total Total: 108
Copyright 2011 by BuildCentral, Inc.   Terms Of Use  Privacy Statement