ecobee by Generac

What the ecobee app is for

The ecobee app is a phone front end for ecobee's home devices. The listing names a smart thermostat, a SmartCamera and a SmartSensor as the hardware it works with. Most of the app's controls sit around heating and cooling, with the camera and sensors added for keeping an eye on the house.

The developer says the thermostat learns from your habits and preferences, and aims for comfort while you are home and peace of mind while you are out. That is the developer's description of how the system is meant to behave. The app is aimed at people who already own ecobee equipment, or are about to install it.

Because the app covers the thermostat, camera, sensors and automations in one place, it suits someone who wants to manage heating, a few cameras or sensors and their routines from one screen, rather than from separate apps.

Controlling the thermostat, camera and sensors

From the app you control your ecobee smart thermostat, your SmartCamera and your SmartSensor. The listing does not say which camera or sensor features are available beyond these controls, so check the device's own documentation for detail.

The main use is checking and changing the temperature from your phone, for example when you are away from home and want the house warmer or cooler before you return. The camera and sensors sit alongside this in the same app, so you can look at the home's status without switching products.

Thermostat schedules and Autopilot automations

You can customise the thermostat schedule. The listing presents this as a way to save energy while keeping the rooms comfortable, which means setting when the system heats or cools and to what level.

Autopilot is the app's automation feature. The developer describes it as a way to create smart home automations, which means setting up routines that run on their own without you tapping through the app each time. The listing does not give the individual triggers or actions Autopilot supports, so the detail of what you can automate is best confirmed in the app itself.

Watching doors, windows, drawers and cabinets

The listing says the app can monitor entryways, windows, drawers and cabinets, and send intelligent alerts when something changes. This is the sensor side of the app. Use it to know when a door or window is opened, or a drawer or cabinet is used, without being in the room.

The listing names these four places but gives no detail on alert rules or sensor range, so the exact alert options are not described here.

Setting up a new device and finding utility rebates

For a new ecobee device, the app gives step-by-step installation instructions. This is the route for getting a thermostat, camera or sensor connected and working for the first time, and the instructions are the first thing you see when adding new hardware.

The app also lets you search for rebates you may be eligible for on your energy bill, through your utility company. The listing presents this as a way to find savings tied to the energy you use at home. Eligibility depends on your utility and the rebate rules, which the listing does not spell out.