Yes, Ecobee thermostats can control whole-house humidifiers. The specific features and settings will vary depending on the model of Ecobee thermostat and humidifier you have, but in general, you can use your Ecobee thermostat to:
- Set a desired humidity level for your home
- Monitor the current humidity level
- Turn the humidifier on or off manually
- Schedule the humidifier to run at specific times of day or days of the week
- Adjust the humidifier’s output level
To control your humidifier with your Ecobee thermostat, you will need to connect the humidifier to the thermostat using a C wire. If your home does not have a C wire, you can install a Power Extender Kit (PEK). Once the humidifier is connected, you can configure the humidifier settings in the thermostat’s menu.
Here are some specific instructions on how to control your humidifier with your Ecobee thermostat:
- Ecobee3: Go to Main Menu > Settings > Installation Settings > Equipment > Humidifier.
- Ecobee4 and Ecobee5: Go to Main Menu > Settings > General > Humidifier.
From here, you can set the desired humidity level, adjust the humidifier’s output level, and configure the humidifier’s schedule.
Here are some additional tips for controlling your humidifier with your Ecobee thermostat:
- Use the Frost Control setting to prevent the humidifier from running when the outside temperature is too low.
- Use the Humidifier Delta setting to adjust how much the humidity level should overshoot the desired level to account for future humidity loss.
- Use the Humidity Setpoint schedule to set different desired humidity levels for different times of day or days of the week.
Can the ecobee3 lite or 4 control a humidifier?
Since the invention of the ecobee, there have been several updates, with the latest version being ecobee 5.
As you could guess, every ecobee version can only support limited functionalities. Consequently, not every ecobee will control a humidifier.
To narrow down, if you need an ecobee to control the humidifier, you should try ecobee3, ecobee 4, and ecobee 5.
Ecobee 3 lite does not have the ACC terminals, which are responsible for controlling the humidifier.
Keeping aside the fact that ecobee 3 lite cannot control humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and ventilators, it is seamlessly compatible with most other devices.
Below is a comparison table between ecobee 3lite and ecobee smart-thermostat (ecobee 5)
| Feature | Ecobee 5 | Ecobee 3 lite |
| Design | Well-crafted smart sensors and resilient materials | A thinner screen of plastic materials. |
| Compatibility level | 95% HVAC systems including humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and ventilators | 95% HVAC systems excluding humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and ventilators |
| Software | IFTTT, Harmony, Google, Alexa, Homekit and SmartThings | IFTT, Harmony, Google, Alexa, Homekit and SmartThings |
| Smart technology | Alexa with built-in mic and speaker | Does not include smart sensors |
How do I connect my ecobee thermostat to my humidifier?
My first time owning an ecobee that controls the humidifier, my budget escalated due to hiring a professional to perform the connections. When I had a chance to learn how to perform the connections, I didn’t hesitate.
I couldn’t imagine incurring unnecessary expenditures when I have to repair or troubleshoot the ecobee humidifier wiring. Mind you; the wiring is not as technical as I thought.
To have a fully functional ecobee and humidifier, it takes two major steps: wiring the humidifier and ecobee, and finally configuring the two devices.
How to wire a humidifier to an ecobee?
Step 1: power off the HVAC system
The wiring process involves the handling of live wires. Hence, it is recommendable for safety reasons that you have both the humidifier and the ecobee off during the wiring process.
Step 2: locate the wires
After powering off the humidifier, locate the wires that were previously connecting the fan and water valve.
Step 3: do the wiring
The RC, G, Y1, and W1 wires should be wired according to the version of the ecobee. However, if you had already preinstalled the ecobee, you should not tamper with them.
To connect the humidifier with the ecobee, take the brown colored wire and connect to the acc+ terminal.
As simple as that, you have your humidifier and ecobee connected. You are just a step away to have it fully functioning. Let’s get that out of the way.
Configuring the ecobee
The configuring process makes it possible for the humidifier and ecobee to communicate for a smooth working. Don’t worry! Nothing brainy but more straightforward than you could ever expect. Be set we get started.
Step 1: click on the main menu
This is the very first step when adding any equipment into the ecobee. Thus on your ecobee, remember to power it on and then go to the main menu icon.
Step 2: click on settings
Are you on the main menu? Excellent! Now get to the settings and later into the installation settings.
Step 3: select the equipment
Yes! You are almost done. After clicking on the installation settings, the first thing should be the equipment icon. Click on the equipment icon and then select the humidifier.
Step 4: specify the humidifier type.
Basically, there are two main types of humidifiers the evaporative and steam humidifier. If you are not so sure of the humidifier type, this is the blueprint.
All the steam humidifiers have a steam canister; if your device has one, it is a steam humidifier. Otherwise, it is an evaporative humidifier.
Select the humidifier type appropriately and click next.
Step 5: edit the humidity set points
Do you need to edit the priory set humidity points? You can easily change them for maximum comfort.
Simply get back to the main menu and go to the ecobee system. After selecting the system icon, press on the humidifier, and press ‘on’ to choose the needed humidity points.
A step further, after pressing on the humidifier, it still gives you the option to activate the frost control.