Ecobee: Difference between revisions

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}}The [[wikipedia:Ecobee|ecobee]] (link to Wikipedia article) line of smart thermostats as well as cameras, doorbells and security sensors and services are from a company founded in 2007 and bought by Generac in 2021.

Discontinued products include several older smart thermostats (which lost smart functionality as a result -

Discontinued products include several older smart thermostats (which lost smart functionality as a result<ref name=":0" /> -

* ecobee Smart Thermostat

*ecobee Smart Thermostat

** Model #: EB-STAT-02

**Model #: EB-STAT-02

* ecobee Energy Management System (EMS)

*ecobee Energy Management System (EMS)

** Model #: EB-EMS-02

**Model #: EB-EMS-02

* Smart Si

*Smart Si

* ecobee SMART

*ecobee SMART and

*Switch+ light switches.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Legacy Product Resources |url=https://support.ecobee.com/s/legacy-products |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/5EIy3 |archive-date={{subst:Datetime}}}}</ref>

) and ~~Switch+ light switches~~. ~~<ref>{{Cite~~ web ~~|title=Legacy Product Resources |url=https://support~~.~~ecobee~~.~~com/s/legacy-products |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive~~.~~is/5EIy3 |archive-date~~=~~{{subst~~:~~Datetime}}}}<~~/~~ref~~>~~. Needs more info - seems like no (last 2) or only minor functionality was lost, depending on model.~~ {{Ph-C-Int}}

Seems like thermostat functionality lost was, depending on model, none (top 2 thermostats) or only relatively minor (other 2 thermostats) compared to typical examples of [[Planned obsolescence]] and [[enshittification]]. "Temperature adjustments, mode control, and schedules will continue to function. '''Your device will no longer''' receive firmware updates or '''have''' '''remote access via the mobile app or web'''. Functions like retrieving weather data and third-party integrations will no longer be available as they rely on our servers. Our customer support team will no longer be able to remotely troubleshoot issues related to these two thermostat models." <ref name=":0" /> {{Ph-C-Int}}

==Consumer-impact summary==

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==Incidents==

~~In 2026,~~

* Ecobee restructured its Smart Security tiers into ''Core'' (Free), ''Plus'' (monthly or annual fee), and ''Advanced'' (monthly or annual fee). Professional monitoring is now offered as an optional add-on. Existing users' features and pricing are protected through 2026.

== 2026 changes ==

* Data Use Expansion: The updated Terms of Service allow Ecobee to utilize site and app usage information for "any purpose related to any use of the Site or App," though detailed opt-out toggles remain available in the app settings. [1]

Changes raised the ire of consumers, who argue compelled consumer compliance is a failing company policy, and your target clients don't tend to be tolerant of this garbage. Do better.

* AI and Machine Learning: New language has been added to cover artificial intelligence and machine learning features. Use of these advanced features requires affirmative opt-in by the subscriber. [1]

* Utility Programs: For users participating in energy-saving or grid stabilization "Utility Programs," the policy explicitly details how name, address, and usage information may be shared with utility providers and program administrators. [1]

<ref>{{Cite web |title=See what [option is] missing here? "No. Keep using my device as before and stop receiving updates" |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ecobee/comments/1sui48j/see_whats_missing_here_no_keep_using_my_device_as/}}</ref>

* Liability Limits: Liability for hardware and software issues is now capped at $100 instead of the original product purchase price. [1]

=== Subscriptions ===

*Ecobee restructured its Smart Security tiers into ''Core'' (Free), ''Plus'' (monthly or annual fee), and ''Advanced'' (monthly or annual fee). Professional monitoring is now offered as an optional add-on. Existing users' features and pricing are protected through 2026.

=== Privacy/Telemetry Data Use Expansion: ===

*The updated Terms of Service allow Ecobee to utilize site and app usage information for "any purpose related to any use of the Site or App," though detailed opt-out toggles remain available in the app settings. [1]

=== AI and Machine Learning: ===

*New language has been added to cover artificial intelligence and machine learning features. Use of these advanced features requires affirmative opt-in by the subscriber. [1]

=== Utility Programs: ===

*For users participating in energy-saving or grid stabilization "Utility Programs," the policy explicitly details how name, address, and usage information may be shared with utility providers and program administrators. [1]

=== Liability Limits: ===

*Liability for hardware and software issues is now capped at $100 instead of the original product purchase price. [1]

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this product line. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 }}The [[wikipedia:Ecobee|ecobee]] (link to Wikipedia article) line of smart thermostats as well as cameras, doorbells and security sensors and services are from a company founded in 2007 and bought by Generac in 2021.
-Discontinued products include several older smart thermostats (which lost smart functionality as a result -
+Discontinued products include several older smart thermostats (which lost smart functionality as a result<ref name=":0" /> -
-* ecobee Smart Thermostat
+*ecobee Smart Thermostat
-** Model #: EB-STAT-02
+**Model #: EB-STAT-02
-* ecobee Energy Management System (EMS)
+*ecobee Energy Management System (EMS)
-** Model #: EB-EMS-02
+**Model #: EB-EMS-02
-* Smart Si
+*Smart Si
-* ecobee SMART
+*ecobee SMART and
+*Switch+ light switches.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Legacy Product Resources |url=https://support.ecobee.com/s/legacy-products |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/5EIy3 |archive-date={{subst:Datetime}}}}</ref>
-) and Switch+ light switches. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Legacy Product Resources |url=https://support.ecobee.com/s/legacy-products |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/5EIy3 |archive-date={{subst:Datetime}}}}</ref>.  Needs more info - seems like no (last 2) or only minor functionality was lost, depending on model. {{Ph-C-Int}}
+Seems like thermostat functionality lost was, depending on model, none (top 2 thermostats) or only relatively minor (other 2 thermostats) compared to typical examples of [[Planned obsolescence]] and [[enshittification]]. "Temperature adjustments, mode control, and schedules will continue to function. '''Your device will no longer''' receive firmware updates or '''have''' '''remote access via the mobile app or web'''. Functions like retrieving weather data and third-party integrations will no longer be available as they rely on our servers. Our customer support team will no longer be able to remotely troubleshoot issues related to these two thermostat models."  <ref name=":0" /> {{Ph-C-Int}}
 ==Consumer-impact summary==
@@ Line 25: / Line 26: @@
 ==Incidents==
 {{Ph-C-Inc}}
-In 2026,
-* Ecobee restructured its Smart Security tiers into ''Core'' (Free), ''Plus'' (monthly or annual fee), and ''Advanced'' (monthly or annual fee). Professional monitoring is now offered as an optional add-on. Existing users' features and pricing are protected through 2026.
+== 2026 changes ==
-* Data Use Expansion: The updated Terms of Service allow Ecobee to utilize site and app usage information for "any purpose related to any use of the Site or App," though detailed opt-out toggles remain available in the app settings. [1]
+Changes raised the ire of consumers, who argue compelled consumer compliance is a failing company policy, and your target clients don't tend to be tolerant of this garbage. Do better.
-* AI and Machine Learning: New language has been added to cover artificial intelligence and machine learning features. Use of these advanced features requires affirmative opt-in by the subscriber. [1]
-* Utility Programs: For users participating in energy-saving or grid stabilization "Utility Programs," the policy explicitly details how name, address, and usage information may be shared with utility providers and program administrators. [1]
+<ref>{{Cite web |title=See what [option is] missing here? "No. Keep using my device as before and stop receiving updates" |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ecobee/comments/1sui48j/see_whats_missing_here_no_keep_using_my_device_as/}}</ref>
-* Liability Limits: Liability for hardware and software issues is now capped at $100 instead of the original product purchase price. [1]
+=== Subscriptions ===
+*Ecobee restructured its Smart Security tiers into ''Core'' (Free), ''Plus'' (monthly or annual fee), and ''Advanced'' (monthly or annual fee). Professional monitoring is now offered as an optional add-on. Existing users' features and pricing are protected through 2026.
+=== Privacy/Telemetry Data Use Expansion: ===
+*The updated Terms of Service allow Ecobee to utilize site and app usage information for "any purpose related to any use of the Site or App," though detailed opt-out toggles remain available in the app settings. [1]
+=== AI and Machine Learning: ===
+*New language has been added to cover artificial intelligence and machine learning features. Use of these advanced features requires affirmative opt-in by the subscriber. [1]
+=== Utility Programs: ===
+*For users participating in energy-saving or grid stabilization "Utility Programs," the policy explicitly details how name, address, and usage information may be shared with utility providers and program administrators. [1]
+=== Liability Limits: ===
+*Liability for hardware and software issues is now capped at $100 instead of the original product purchase price. [1]
 This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this product line. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].