Skip to main content

How to use Vacation Mode on an Ecobee smart thermostat

ecobee nest smart thermostat deals amazon best buy pre memorial day sale ecobee3 lite  1
Ecobee

If you're planning to go on vacation or leave your home for an extended period of time, enabling Vacation Mode on your Ecobee smart thermostat is a smart decision. This unique mode helps reduce your energy consumption when no one is in the house, but will kick back on in advance to ensure the place is at a comfortable temperature when you return. It's a cool feature, and one that's easy to enable — once you know where to look.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

15 minutes

What You Need

  • Ecobee smart thermostat

  • Ecobee mobile app

Here's a closer look at how to set up Vacation Mode on your Ecobee smart thermostat, including tips on how to set your departure and return dates. We'll also teach you how to set the temperatures while you're away.

Ecobee thermostat poised against a wall next to a rock and pear.
Ecobee

How to set Vacation Mode on Ecobee Thermostat

You can activate Vacation Mode on your smart thermostat or through the Ecobee mobile app.

Step 1: If using the thermostat, select Main Menu, then navigate to General. From here, select Vacation.

Step 2: Press the Plus button to create a new vacation schedule.

Step 3: Enter your departure date and time in the I Depart section.

Step 4: Enter your return date and time in the I Return section.

Step 5: You can then wrap up the process by programming your temperatures and other settings in the Vacations Settings menu. Press Save to finish the process.

Step 6: If you prefer to do this through the mobile app, you'll simply need to go to the Home menu and select Vacation. Here, you'll find the Set A Vacation option. You can then edit your return and departure dates in the same way that we detailed above.

How to cancel or edit Vacation Mode

If your plans change, Ecobee gives you a quick way to modify your Vacation Mode settings.

Step 1: From the Home screen of the mobile app, select Vacation, then pick the vacation you need to edit. You can then change all settings. Be sure to press Save to activate the new settings.

Step 2: Alternatively, you can edit your Vacation Mode directly from the thermostat. Just enter the General menu and find the Vacation section. You can then edit the same settings.

Step 3: Canceling a vacation can only be done from the mobile app. Once again, go to the Vacation section. Select the vacation that's been canceled, and press Delete to remove it from your thermostat's schedule.

Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
Apple gearing up for ‘first foray into smart home camera market’
Apple Fifth Avenue Store Apple Logo

Apple is planning to release a smart home security camera in 2026, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, a prominent figure with contacts in Apple’s supply chain in Asia.

“Apple is making its first foray into the smart home IP camera market, with mass production scheduled for 2026, targeting annual shipments in the tens of millions,” Kuo wrote in an online post shared on Monday, adding that Chinese tech firm GoerTek will be the exclusive assembly supplier.

Read more
These LumiCharge smart lamps make excellent multi-purpose gifts — they’re also on sale
lumicharge smart desk lamp lighting deals november 2024 girl playing guitar near

Some of the coolest gifts are multi-functional. Allow me to explain. Quirky gifts are great, but gifts that actually provide value to the person you're giving them to are even better. Multi-functional gift ideas, or gadgets, and gizmos that achieve more than one task are always a great choice. Take the LumiCharge smart desk lamps, for example. They're smart lamps, sure, but they also incorporate other features like a mobile phone charger, Bluetooth speaker, app controls, and beyond. They're more than just desk or table lamps, they provide value. So, why am I talking about this?

Right now, a bevy of LumiCharge smart lamps and devices are on sale, for some incredible prices, and now's a great time to pick up some gifts before the holidays or treat yourself to something nice. To provide some examples, the LumiCharge II smart desk lamp with a universal phone charger is only $59, down from $120, saving you $61. Or, the Lumi Chill collapsible ice bucket and Bluetooth speaker is only $35, down from $50, saving you $15. If you're scrambling to think of some gifts, I recommend checking out the sale.
Shop Now
 
What LumiCharge smart lamps and smart devices are on sale?

Read more
Make the most of your smart lights this holiday season with these expert tips
Nanoleaf Essentials Bulb on desk.

Daylight saving time has officially ended, bringing us darker (and colder) nights. The upcoming holidays certainly offer a bit of cheer during these chilly months. But a better way to combat winter fatigue is by optimizing your smart lights. Whether you have them installed inside or outside your home, now is the perfect time to tinker with their settings and create routines that keep you nice and cozy.

From changing the hue of your bulbs and installing motion sensors to creating schedules and setting up a vacation mode, here’s a look at powerful ways to optimize your smart lights.
Create a schedule or routine

Read more