Description
ecobee room sensors (SmartSensor) detect occupancy and temperature in rooms away from the thermostat and report back to help balance comfort and reduce energy waste. They are designed to work with ecobee smart thermostats and can improve hot/cold spots across the home.
Overview
Features
- Detects room occupancy and temperature to influence thermostat decisions
- Works with ecobee smart thermostats
- Helps manage hot/cold spots for better comfort
- Contributes to energy savings by reducing conditioning in empty rooms
- Wireless placement flexibility (listed range up to ~60 ft through walls)
Specifications
| Price | //www.ecobee.com/en-us/sensors/)) |
|---|---|
| Protocol | //www.ecobee.com/en-us/sensors/)) |
| Hub Required | work with ecobee smart thermostats |
| Power | //www.ecobee.com/en-us/sensors/)) |
| Cloud Dependency | The ecobee Room Sensor relies on cloud services for functionality, as it integrates with ecobee’s cloud-based platfor… |
| HA Integration | The Home Assistant integration for ecobee thermostats does not natively support ecobee Room Sensors. Users have repor… |
| Voice Control | The ecobee Room Sensor does not have built-in voice control capabilities. Voice control is typically managed through… |
| Dimensions | //www.pacesupply.com/Product/ecoebrs)) |
| Warranty | //www.ecobee.com/en-us/sensors/)) |
Home Assistant Integration
Integration Method: ecobee
- Requirements: ecobee developer API key (new keys unavailable as of 2024‑03‑28)
- Entities: Sensor entities become available after ecobee integration is set up
- Setup: Settings → Devices & services → Add → ecobee, then authorize via ecobee portal PIN
- Notes: HomeKit Device integration is a working alternative while ecobee developer keys are unavailable
Practical Considerations
- Placement: Put sensors in rooms that run hotter/colder than the thermostat location
- Range: Listings indicate ~60 ft range through walls/floors
- Compatibility: Designed for ecobee smart thermostats (check specific model support)
Scores
| Category | Score | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Features | ★★★★☆ | Occupancy + temperature sensing with simple placement |
| Interoperability | ★★★☆☆ | Works well inside ecobee ecosystem; HA depends on API key |
| Setup Ease | ★★★★☆ | Battery‑powered and easy to place |
| Cloud Dependency | ★★★☆☆ | Thermostat ecosystem uses cloud services |
| Vendor Trust | ★★★★☆ | Established smart‑thermostat vendor |
| Overall | ★★★★☆ | Great add‑on for multi‑room comfort |
References
| Official | ecobee room sensor compatibility press release |
|---|---|
| Retail | Home Depot product listing · Target product listing |
| Home Assistant | ecobee integration docs |
My Implementation
Inferred: We place sensors in rooms that drift from the main thermostat to keep comfort where people actually spend time.
Device Score Summary
| Category | Score | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Features | ★★★★☆ | Occupancy + temperature sensing with simple placement |
| Interoperability | ★★★☆☆ | Works well inside ecobee ecosystem; HA depends on API key |
| Setup Ease | ★★★★☆ | Battery‑powered and easy to place |
| Cloud Dependency | ★★★☆☆ | Thermostat ecosystem uses cloud services |
| Vendor Trust | ★★★★☆ | Established smart‑thermostat vendor |
| Overall | ★★★★☆ | Great add‑on for multi‑room comfort |
★★★★★ Exceptional | ★★★★☆ Very Good | ★★★☆☆ Good Enough | ★★☆☆☆ Frustrating | ★☆☆☆☆ Avoid