View Ecobee Thermostat Usage History - A Simple Guide
Understanding Your Energy Savings with Ecobee
Smart thermostats are well-regarded for their ability to improve energy efficiency. However, if a detailed analysis of cost savings is desired, the Ecobee thermostat provides comprehensive access to usage data.
While the Nest Thermostat also offers a view of usage history, it lacks the depth of reporting found within the Ecobee system. Ecobee’s monitoring tool, known as Home IQ, serves as a central hub for evaluating the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Accessing Your Ecobee Usage Information
To begin, navigate to the Ecobee website using a computer and select "Login" at the top of the page. It’s important to note that viewing your Ecobee’s usage history and reports is exclusively available through the web interface.
Enter your registered username and password, then click "Sign In" to proceed.
Once logged in, click on the "Home IQ" option.
If a screen similar to the one below appears, it indicates that your Ecobee hasn't accumulated sufficient data. A full month of operation is required before usage history and detailed information become available.
However, should Home IQ open to reveal multiple sections, you are ready to explore your data. The left side displays the total runtime for the previous month. A community comparison, assessing your HVAC runtime against other households in your state, is located in the middle.
The upper-right corner features Home Efficiency, which evaluates your home’s thermal energy retention relative to other Ecobee users’ homes. Finally, the System Monitor, in the bottom-right corner, details when your HVAC system operated, the set temperature, and the concurrent outdoor temperature.
Exploring the Home IQ Reports
Click on "See Your Monthly Report" on the left side to access the total runtime screen.
The red bar illustrates your HVAC system’s total runtime during the previous month. The orange bar above represents an estimated runtime had the indoor temperature been consistently maintained at 72 degrees. Ecobee then calculates and displays your monthly savings based on this comparison.
Next, select "Community Comparisons" from the sidebar on the left.
This page presents your total runtime savings in relation to the average savings within your state. A more detailed breakdown, categorized by your Comfort Settings, is also provided, highlighting which settings contribute to greater or lesser savings.
After that, click on "Home Efficiency" in the left-hand sidebar.
This screen offers a straightforward assessment of your home’s efficiency compared to others in your state. It essentially indicates how effectively your home retains thermal energy. Superior thermal retention minimizes the workload and runtime of your HVAC system to achieve the desired indoor temperature.
Then, click on System Monitor in the sidebar on the left-hand side.
This section is likely to be of greatest interest. The System Monitor displays the activation and deactivation times of your HVAC system, alongside the set temperature, the actual indoor temperature, and the outside temperature for comparative analysis.
Understanding Weather Impact
Another valuable feature within the Ecobee’s usage history is "Weather Impact," accessible by clicking the corresponding option towards the bottom of the sidebar.
This feature illustrates how weather conditions influence your HVAC system’s runtime on a daily basis. Taller blue bars signify increased heating or cooling activity for that particular day.
In conclusion, the Ecobee thermostat excels in providing detailed usage history and runtime data. While the Nest Thermostat offers a visually appealing usage history, it lacks the comprehensive insights and granular details available through the Ecobee system.