What is the Ecobee Sensor Battery Life?
By Trae Jacobs,
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One of the great things about Ecobee thermostats is that you can connect up to 32 external sensors in various rooms of your home or office. The sensors are wireless and measure the room’s temperature and motion to maximum thermostat efficiency. However, because Ecobee sensors are battery-operated, users may be concerned about their battery life.
An Ecobee Room Sensor battery usually lasts 18-24 months, depending on the amount of usage. The standard Room Sensor uses one CR2032 battery. The newer Ecobee Smart Sensor uses a larger CR2477 battery that usually lasts 3-5 years.
Now that you know the average Ecobee sensor battery life, you will want to know how to change the battery when it does run out of power. You will also want to know what to do if the battery seems to be draining too fast. You can find all that information and more below!
Ecobee Sensor Battery Life
There are two types of Ecobee sensors: the Room Sensor and the Smart Sensor. They use different batteries, so check out the table below for information about each sensor’s battery life.
| Room Sensor | Smart Sensor | |
| Battery | CR2032 | CR2477 |
| Battery Life | Up to 2 years | Up to 5 years |
| Compatible Products | SmartThermostat with voice control, ecobee4, ecobee3, and ecobee3 lite | SmartThermostat with voice control, ecobee4, ecobee3, ecobee3 lite, and ecobee SmartCamera |
If you aren’t sure which sensor is right for your home, this article has more information about the Ecobee sensors and how they work.
Ecobee Sensor Batteries
CR2032 and CR2477 batteries are both small, coin-shaped batteries. The CR2477 is slightly bigger and lasts significantly longer.
These batteries are not rechargeable; therefore, they should be properly disposed of when they run out of power. It’s recommended that you recycle the used battery at a certified e-waste collection center rather than throwing it in the trash.
The exact amount of time the Ecobee sensor battery will last depends on the amount of motion and temperature changes in an area that it’s monitoring.
How to Change the Sensor Battery
You cannot check your Ecobee sensor’s battery level, but Ecobee will notify you through the app when the battery life is running low.
We recommend replacing the battery before it dies completely to avoid a lapse in coverage.
It’s easy to replace the battery by yourself. Here are the steps:
- Pry the cover off the back of the sensor. You can use a thin object such as a pen, credit card, or screwdriver to help.
- Remove the old battery from the sensor.
- Insert a new battery with the positive side facing out. Ensure the battery is completely pressed down with the metal prongs over it to hold it in place.
- Replace the battery cover.
Ecobee Sensor Battery Draining Too Fast
Some users have reported that their Ecobee sensor battery is draining too fast.
If you have to replace the sensor battery multiple times a year, it is likely not working properly. Ecobee sensors come with a 3-year limited warranty that covers manufacturer defects. If you have to replace the battery often, contact Ecobee customer service for a no-cost replacement.
To increase your Ecobee sensor’s battery life, put it in a place where it won’t pick up a lot of motion. This article has more tips on the best placement for your Ecobee sensor.
Sensor Settings and Extending Sensor Battery Life
The Ecobee sensor’s settings can affect how long its battery lasts.
Ecobee thermostats have three different modes: Home, Away, and Sleep. For each Comfort Settings mode, you can choose which sensors are on and which are off.
Turning the sensors off in Away and Sleep mode can increase the battery life by not using it when you don’t need it. To do this, follow the directions below:
- Open the main menu on the thermostat or in the app.
- Select “Comfort Settings.”
- Choose one of the three modes.
- Click on “participating sensors.”
- Choose the sensors that you want to turn on when your thermostat is in the selected mode.
The settings you choose for each mode will also apply when you use Follow Me mode, but not when you use Smart Home and Smart Away modes.
Checking Sensor Status
You can check to see which sensors are active anytime from the thermostat or using the Ecobee app. Select “Sensors” under the main menu. The sensor icon tells you if the sensor is currently active.
| Sensor Icon | Status |
| White sensor with signal waves | Sensor is active |
| Black sensor with signal waves | Sensor is inactive |
| Black sensor without signal waves | Sensor is not connected to the thermostat |
In Summary
If you have the original Ecobee Room Sensor, you will use a CR2032 battery, which should last between one and two years. If you have the newer Smart Sensor, you’ll use a CR2477 battery, which will last up to five years.
Keep in mind that these numbers are estimates. Exact battery life varies based on usage. Replace the battery when you receive the low battery notification.
