Ecobee is a smart thermostat that reduces energy costs and increases home comfort. It has a built-in sensor measures temperature and occupancy to deliver personalized comfort and savings. With remote sensors, you can even control the temperature of different rooms in your house with just one device.
It is an amazing invention, however sometimes your Ecobee might keep running when you don’t want it too. You may ask yourself, “Why does my Ecobee keep running?” We will reveal the 8 main reasons why it does!
If your Ecobee is running more than usual, check to see if any of the following reasons may be causing it.
Check to see if the temperature in the room is set above the default of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). The default temperature for your Ecobee is based on studies to determine how comfortable most people are and how efficiently HVAC systems run at that temperature.
You can change this setting by going to Settings > Temperature.
We will reveal the 8 main reasons why your Ecobee keeps running on you!
Table of Contents
8 Main Reasons Why Your Ecobee Keeps Running
The following are the 8 main reasons why your Ecobee keeps running:
1. Dirty Air Filter
The air filter is the first defense against your home’s dirt, dust, and allergens. It traps these contaminants before they get sucked into your HVAC unit and distributed through your home’s ductwork. If you don’t change your filters regularly, these particles can clog up the system and cause it to work harder than it needs to.
This leads to higher energy bills and higher utility costs that do nothing but add up over time.
You should always have a spare air filter on hand, so it’s easy to change when needed without running out for one first thing in the morning or evening when you’re trying to make dinner or get ready for bed. To fix this problem:
- Make sure that all windows and doors are closed before leaving the house. This prevents air from getting into your home through these openings when the outside temperature drops or rises significantly.
- Set up a vacation mode on your Ecobee 3 using its mobile app before leaving town so that it knows when you won’t be home for at least 48 hours (the maximum number of continuous hours.
2. Clogged Condensate Lines
If the condensate line (the one that takes water from the air conditioner back to the outside) gets clogged with dirt or leaves, it can cause the unit to run constantly. To check this, look at the condensate line coming out of your air conditioner. You should see water coming out of it. If it’s dry or not dripping, then it may be clogged up with dirt or leaves. You may need to clean out this line or have someone come and clean it out for you.
3. Blocked Condenser Coils
The condenser coils are part of the air conditioner’s refrigerant system, which helps to cool the air going into your home. The condenser coils are outside your home, usually on a roof or in an attic. They are typically made of metal or aluminum and attached to the back of the air conditioner.
Blocked condenser coils can cause your air conditioner to run continuously because they cannot cool down properly. This may be caused by dirt or debris clogging up the fins on the condenser coil, preventing them from being able to release heat from inside your home and into the outdoors. If you notice that your Ecobee is running continuously, check for any signs of clogged condenser coils:
Check for the dust around your outdoor unit; if there’s any visible dust or dirt on the team itself, then it may be causing problems with cooling down. Cleaning this off will help improve the performance of your air conditioner and reduce energy consumption.
4. Bad Fan Motors in the Outdoor AC Unit
There are many reasons why my ecobee keeps running. One of the most common reasons is a bad fan motor in the outdoor AC unit. The fan motor can get damaged by dust and dirt, which causes it to stop working. A broken or malfunctioning fan motor will cause the compressor to run continuously, causing higher energy bills and unnecessary wear on your equipment.
If you live in an area with scorching summers, you probably have an air conditioner with a condenser outside your home. The condenser is attached to the outside wall of your house with a metal pipe called a coil (evaporator) that runs through the inside of your home and connects to your furnace at one end and an outdoor AC unit at the other.
The condenser works by drawing hot air out of your home through its coils, cooling it down, so it matches the temperature outside, and then sending it back into your home through ducts fed by vents in each room (or through registers).
5. Faulty Compressor
A defective capacitor can prevent the compressor from starting when it should. This problem is widespread in older Ecobees and Honeywells, but you might also find it in newer models.
If you think this is causing your Ecobee to keep running, check whether there is any debris inside or around the capacitor or if it looks damaged or worn out. You should also check if there are cracks in the housing where the compressor sits or on its lid. If so, replace it with a new one and see if that fixes the issue.
6. Malfunctioning Thermostat
The other reason why my ecobee keeps running is a defective thermostat. If your old thermostat is not working correctly, then there are chances that your new one will not work either. It may be because of poor installation or faulty wiring in your house or building.
If this is the case with you, contact an expert electrician to fix these problems before installing the new thermostat and ensure everything works again.
7. Broken Fuses or Tripped Circuit Breakers
If you are having issues with your Ecobee, there is a good chance that it is due to a circuit breaker or fuse problem. If you have a tripped circuit breaker or broken fuse, there are two ways to fix it. The first is to replace the fuse, and the second is to reset the circuit breaker.
How to Replace a Fuse
You can find fuses in most hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s. To replace it, follow these steps:
- Turn off the power at your fuse box. This will stop power from entering your home and prevent further damage while working on the system.
- Remove the cover plate on top of your fuse box and remove any wires connected to it by turning them counterclockwise until they are free from their sockets. The cover plate should be placed by two screws near where you plug in your electrical devices such as lamps and TVs. Once you remove these screws, there should be enough slack in the wires so that you can lift them slightly out of their sockets while holding onto them securely so they don’t fall into the box or make contact with any metal parts inside.
8. Electrical Wiring Problems in the AC Unit
The most common reasons for a thermostat to keep running are due to electrical wiring problems. This can be caused by faulty wiring, loose connections, or short circuits in the thermostat. If you’re experiencing issues with your Ecobee, it’s best to contact a licensed electrician for assistance. Electrical wiring problems can happen for several reasons, including:
- Improperly installed wiring
- Loose connections
- Components damaged by power surges
- Short circuits
Why Does My Ecobee Keep Running? Conclusion
This can happen if sensors or other devices are still running when you turn off the intelligent thermostat. For example, if you have a programmable light switch, it will stay on after you turn off the thermostat. This is because that light switch has its circuit breaker and needs to be turned off separately from your thermostat.
Another example is an appliance with a low-voltage compressor, such as a refrigerator or dehumidifier. These appliances must also be turned off separately from your thermostat because they typically do not have circuit breakers. The above information helps you know the reasons why your Ecobee keeps running.
If you enjoyed this article, check out our “Why Does My Ecobee Keep Shutting Off?” article here!