When it comes to making your home smarter and more energy-efficient, few devices can match the convenience and power of Ecobee Smart Sensors. Whether you’re optimizing comfort across rooms or improving your HVAC efficiency, setting up Ecobee Smart Sensors is a breeze.
In this complete guide, we’ll show you how to set up Ecobee Smart Sensors from start to finish, including installation tips, troubleshooting, and best practices to get the most out of your Ecobee system.
If you’re ready to upgrade your smart home, click here to grab your Ecobee Smart Sensors on Amazon!

Why Use Ecobee Smart Sensors?
Ecobee Smart Sensors add a whole new dimension to your thermostat system. They:
- Detect room temperature and occupancy
- Help balance temperatures across your home
- Improve energy savings by adjusting heating and cooling based on real-time activity
- Enable advanced features like Follow Me and Smart Home/Away
When paired with an Ecobee Smart Thermostat, these sensors ensure that you’re always comfortable in the rooms that matter most.
Want to dive deeper into their features? Visit our detailed Ecobee Smart Sensors page for a full breakdown.
What You Need Before You Start
Make sure you have the following:
- An Ecobee Smart Thermostat (like the Ecobee3 Lite, SmartThermostat with voice control, or Ecobee4)
- A smartphone with the Ecobee app installed
- Wi-Fi connection
- The Ecobee Smart Sensors, including their mounting stands or adhesive pads
Each sensor comes with a battery pre-installed, but it’s good to double-check.
Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Ecobee Smart Sensors
Ready to set up your sensors? Let’s get started!
Step 1: Unbox and Prepare the Sensors
Inside the box, you’ll find:
- The sensor(s)
- Adhesive mounting tape or stands
- Quick Start Guide
Remove the plastic battery tab from each sensor. When you pull the tab, the sensor powers on automatically and enters pairing mode.
You should see a small green LED flash, confirming that the sensor is ready to connect.
Step 2: Open the Ecobee App
On your smartphone:
- Open the Ecobee app.
- Tap the menu (three horizontal lines).
- Select “Add a Device.”
- Choose “Sensor.”
Alternatively, if you’re near your Ecobee thermostat, it may prompt you to add a new sensor automatically.
Step 3: Pair the Sensor
Follow the prompts:
- The app (or the thermostat screen) will search for available sensors.
- When your sensor appears, select it.
- Assign a name to the sensor (e.g., “Master Bedroom,” “Living Room”).
- Choose whether you want it to participate in Smart Home/Away and Follow Me features.
That’s it! The sensor will now be connected to your thermostat.
Step 4: Install the Sensor
Placement is important for accuracy. Here are a few best practices:
- Place the sensor at chest height (around 5 feet).
- Keep it away from vents, direct sunlight, or electronics that generate heat.
- Ideally, position it where people spend time — like living rooms, bedrooms, or offices.
You can either:
- Mount the sensor on a wall using the included adhesive pads.
- Place it on a flat surface using the included stand.
Pro Tip: The stand allows for easy repositioning if you want to experiment with different locations.
How to Set Up Multiple Ecobee Smart Sensors
If you have multiple sensors (and you should — it’s one of the biggest advantages of Ecobee!), setting them up follows the exact same steps:
- Pull the battery tab for each sensor.
- Add the sensor via the app.
- Assign names carefully to keep track of each room.
Your thermostat will now be able to use data from all connected sensors to intelligently adjust heating or cooling.
How to Use Ecobee Smart Sensor Features
Once installed, you can maximize your comfort with key Ecobee features:
1. Follow Me
The Follow Me feature detects occupancy in rooms and dynamically adjusts which room’s temperature is prioritized.
- Example: If you move from your bedroom to the living room, the system will prioritize comfort in the living room.
- You can enable or disable Follow Me anytime in the Ecobee app.
2. Smart Home/Away
This feature automatically determines if you’re home or away based on sensor activity.
- If you unexpectedly leave home, the thermostat will switch to Away Mode to save energy.
- When you return, it will revert back to Home Mode for comfort.
Smart Home/Away uses both the thermostat and sensors for the best results.
3. Comfort Settings
In the app, you can fine-tune Comfort Settings like Home, Away, and Sleep modes by:
- Choosing which sensors should participate
- Adjusting target temperatures for each mode
This allows you to create customized schedules based on your lifestyle.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Sensor not pairing?
- Bring the sensor closer to the thermostat during setup.
- Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.
Sensor drops offline?
- Check the battery. Replace if necessary (CR2477 battery).
- Ensure the sensor is within 45 feet of the thermostat (open air).
Sensor shows incorrect temperature?
- Move it away from direct sunlight, vents, or other heat sources.
- Allow a few minutes after placement for the sensor to calibrate.
Where to Place Ecobee Smart Sensors for Best Results
Here’s a quick guide for ideal placement:
Room | Best Placement Tips |
---|---|
Bedroom | On a nightstand or mounted near the bed |
Living Room | Near seating areas but away from TVs or heating devices |
Basement | Away from floor vents, ideally on a shelf or wall |
Office | On a desk or mounted opposite computer equipment |
Proper placement ensures maximum comfort and better energy savings.
How to Replace the Battery in Ecobee Smart Sensors
Each Smart Sensor uses a CR2477 coin cell battery, lasting around 18-24 months.
To replace:
- Gently pop off the back cover.
- Swap the old battery for a new CR2477 battery.
- Snap the back cover into place.
The sensor should automatically reconnect to your thermostat.
Benefits of Using Ecobee Smart Sensors
✅ More accurate temperature control across multiple rooms
✅ Higher energy efficiency and savings on heating/cooling
✅ Automatic presence detection and Smart Home/Away convenience
✅ Flexibility with room prioritization depending on time of day
✅ Easy setup and long battery life
Smart Sensors aren’t just a luxury — they’re a practical upgrade that can genuinely enhance your smart home’s comfort and efficiency.
Final Thoughts: Are Ecobee Smart Sensors Worth It?
Absolutely.
If you’re already using an Ecobee Smart Thermostat, adding Smart Sensors is one of the best investments you can make to optimize both comfort and savings.
They’re quick to set up, easy to use, and significantly improve the accuracy of your home’s climate control.
👉 Ready to level up your smart home?
Click here to buy Ecobee Smart Sensors on Amazon and start experiencing a better, smarter home environment today!