Ecobee has made an announcement that they are going to discontinue support for some of their older thermostat models. Starting July 31, 2024, the ecobee Energy Management System (EMS) and ecobee Smart Thermostat will no longer connect to ecobee servers or receive firmware upgrades. The specific models affected are the ecobee Smart Thermostat (Model #: EB-STAT-02) and the ecobee Energy Management System (EMS) (Model #: EB-EMS-02).
The company has clarified that while Wi-Fi connectivity will be maintained, functions that depend on server connectivity will be lost. This includes remote control through the ecobee Web Portal, weather updates, integration with other systems, and access to HomeIQ and System Monitor features. The thermostats will continue to control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and follow any programmed schedules.
This is a great example of why we recommend having devices that are purely local, and don’t require an external connection with a vendor’s server to function. Using devices that require a vendor’s server to provide functionality may be easier in the short term, but in the long run you are at the mercy of that vendor if they decide to shut off a server.
For users with Heat Pump installations, the thermostats will no longer adjust to outdoor temperatures as they will not have access to this data, affecting the Min Outdoor Temperature for the Compressor and Max Outdoor Temperature settings for the Aux Heat.
Ecobee has also stated that their customer support team will no longer be able to assist with troubleshooting issues related to the EMS and Smart Thermostat models. Users seeking to upgrade to newer models may contact ecobee support to inquire about potential discounts or offers for which they may be eligible.
For further information, interested parties are encouraged to visit the ecobee website here.
