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From Skeptic to Believer: How the ecobee3 Lite Changed My Home Comfort

I’ve been using my ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat for a while now, and it’s really changed how I manage my home. In this review, I’d like to share my experience—how it learns my schedule, keeps my place comfortable, and even saves me a bit on energy bills, along with a few quirks I’ve noticed along the way.

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ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat Review: The Smart Device That Keeps Your Home Cozy and Efficient

Author – Timothy Carnahan

I really enjoy using my ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat. Even though it’s a small device mounted on my wall, it has completely transformed how I manage my home’s heating and cooling. I love how it learns my schedule and adjusts temperatures automatically, ensuring my home is always comfortable when I need it to be. Whether I’m leaving for work or coming home on a chilly evening, the ecobee3 Lite takes care of the climate for me—saving energy and money along the way. Also, because I use my Alexa for music, ordering, and lights already, it was a great addition.

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My First Impression

When I first installed the ecobee3 Lite, I was pleasantly surprised by its sleek design and straightforward setup. Initially, I was a bit wary of integrating another “smart” device into my home, but the intuitive installation process and user-friendly interface quickly won me over. I started with just the thermostat and, later on, added remote sensors to fine-tune the temperature control in every room. Over time, it has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, making home comfort effortless.

ecobee3 Lite on wall 2
Ecobee App

Performance of the ecobee3 Lite Thermostat

The ecobee3 Lite handles temperature adjustments with remarkable precision and speed. Whether I’m manually setting a new temperature via the mobile app or relying on its smart scheduling, it works extremely well. It accurately detects my routines and adapts its programming to ensure that every room is at the perfect temperature when needed. The energy-saving insights provided by the app have helped me optimize my HVAC system, lowering my utility bills without sacrificing comfort.

What Does the Future Hold?

Looking ahead, the ecobee3 Lite Lite has sparked my interest in further automating my home. I’m considering adding more remote sensors to cover additional areas, such as the basement and sunroom, to ensure balanced comfort throughout the house. I’m also intrigued by the possibility of integrating the thermostat with other smart home devices—like automated window shades and smart vents—to create a truly connected and comfortable living environment. The ecobee3 Lite is just the next step in making my home smarter.


ecobee3 Lite Details

Design and Display

The ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat features a minimalist and modern design that blends into most home interiors. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen display is easy to navigate, allowing for simple manual adjustments and access to essential controls. The screen provides clear temperature readings, schedules, and energy reports, making it more user-friendly than traditional thermostats.


One of the standout features is its compact size, measuring approximately 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches. This makes it unobtrusive and suitable for various wall placements. Unlike bulkier smart thermostats, the ecobee3 Lite offers a sleek, low-profile build without sacrificing functionality. The display is responsive, though it lacks the voice interaction of more advanced models.


Feature Detail
Touchscreen Display 3.5-inch color touchscreen for intuitive manual control.
Compact Size 3.5″ x 3.5″ x 1″, making it sleek and unobtrusive.
Display Information Shows current temperature, schedules, and energy reports.

Smart Control and Connectivity

The ecobee3 Lite connects to your home via Wi-Fi, allowing remote access through the ecobee mobile app. This means you can adjust the temperature from anywhere, whether you’re at work or traveling. The app provides real-time energy insights and allows you to set schedules, ensuring maximum efficiency.

Integration with smart home systems is a major selling point. It is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant, meaning you can control it using voice commands. However, it does not have a built-in speaker or microphone like some other smart thermostats.


Feature Detail
Wi-Fi Connectivity Allows remote control via the ecobee app.
Smart Assistant Compatibility Works with Alexa, HomeKit, and Google Assistant.
Energy Monitoring Tracks usage and offers efficiency insights through the app.

Installation and Compatibility

The ecobee3 Lite is designed for DIY installation, with step-by-step instructions provided through the mobile app. Most users can set it up in about 30 minutes, although those unfamiliar with thermostat wiring may need professional help. The unit works with most HVAC systems, including forced air, heat pumps, and radiant heating.


One potential limitation is that it lacks a built-in power extender kit (PEK), which is required for homes without a C-wire. If your system does not have a C-wire, you may need to purchase an additional adapter or seek professional installation.


Feature Detail
DIY Installation Step-by-step setup via the app; takes about 30 minutes.
HVAC Compatibility Works with forced air, heat pumps, and radiant systems.
C-Wire Requirement May require an additional adapter if a C-wire is missing.

Specifications obtained from ecobee documentation and in-house testing. View on Amazon

Why I Chose the ecobee3 Lite Over Other Smart Thermostats

I compared the ecobee3 Lite with other popular smart thermostats, such as the Nest Thermostat E and the Honeywell Home. The Nest offers a sleek design and robust learning capabilities, but it didn’t provide the level of room-specific control I was looking for. The Honeywell was also a contender, yet (based on many of the videos I watched) its interface and energy reports didn’t match the intuitive experience of the ecobee3 Lite. Ultimately, the ecobee3 smart scheduling, integration with multiple platforms (Android, iPhone, Alexa), and energy-saving features made it the perfect choice for my home.

There are a few Drawbacks

One minor drawback is that the ecobee3 Lite requires additional sensors to truly optimize temperature control in larger or multi-level homes, and those sensors are sold separately. Additionally, while the touchscreen is responsive, it isn’t as flashy as some other smart displays on the market. Nonetheless, these small trade-offs are easily overlooked given the device’s overall performance and energy-saving benefits.

ecobee energy history
ecobee3 App showing the temperatures in different rooms.

Setting up the ecobee3 Lite

Installing the ecobee3 Lite is pretty straightforward if you’re comfortable working with low-voltage wiring—though if that isn’t your thing, it might be worth calling in a pro.

Begin by turning off the power to your thermostat wiring at the breaker box. It’s a good idea to snap some photos of your current setup before removing the old thermostat, so you have a clear reference for the wiring (the app can help too). Once the old thermostat is removed, attach each wire to its corresponding terminal on the ecobee mounting plate. After the wiring is secured, mount the plate to the wall using the provided screws.

With the mounting plate in place, snap the new ecobee thermostat onto it and restore power at the breaker. When the thermostat powers up, follow the on-screen instructions: enter your wiring configuration, give the device a name, and connect it to your Wi-Fi network. In about 30 seconds, your thermostat will be online and ready to start optimizing your home’s climate.

ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat: A Quick Wrap-Up

In summary, the ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat has simplified managing my home comfort. Despite my initial hesitation about adding another smart device to my home, it quickly proved its worth through its temperature control, intuitive interface, and energy-saving capabilities. The device has not only made my living environment more comfortable but has also helped me reduce energy consumption, making my home both smarter and more eco-friendly.

What Device Will Work Best for You

When weighing the options between the Nest Thermostat E, Honeywell Home, and ecobee3 Lite, the latter stands out for its robust feature set, ease of integration, and detailed energy insights. While every smart thermostat has its own strengths, the ecobee3 Lite offers a perfect balance of performance, energy efficiency, and smart functionality. If you’re looking for a device that makes maintaining a comfortable, energy-efficient home a breeze, the ecobee3 Lite might just be the ideal choice for you.

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Click Here to Check out Jason Hill’s Review of The Amazon Echo Dot


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