ecobee
{{Short description|Canadian home automation company}}
{{lowercase title}}
{{Primary sources|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = ecobee Inc.
| parent = Generac
| website = {{url|ecobee.com}}
| logo = ecobee logo.svg
| logo_size = 270px
| type = Private
| image = ecobee4 on the wall from an angle showing home screen.jpg
| image_caption = ecobee4 smart thermostat
| founders = {{unbulleted list|Stuart Lombard|Mark Malchiondo|John Metselaar}}
| key_people = {{unbulleted list|Stuart Lombard (President and CEO)|Scott Cleaver (COO)|David Brennan (CFO)|John Metselaar ("Chief Hardware Architect")}}
| location = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| area_served = {{unbulleted list|Canada|United States}}
| industry = Home automation
| founded = {{start date and age|2007|df=yes}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ecobee.com/en-ca/about/|title=About|publisher=ecobee|access-date=May 19, 2020}}
| products = {{unbulleted list|Light switches|Smart thermostats}}
}}
ecobee is a Canadian-founded home automation company that makes smart thermostats, temperature, and occupancy sensors, smart light switches, smart cameras, and contact sensors.{{cite web|url=https://www.ecobee.com/en-ca/all-products/|title=Products|publisher=ecobee|access-date=May 19, 2020}} They were acquired by the American company Generac Holdings in 2021.
The thermostats are controlled by using the built-in touchscreen, web portal, or app available for iOS, Android, and the Apple Watch.{{Cite news|url=http://www.imore.com/how-use-ecobee3-smart-thermostat-your-apple-watch|title=Using the Ecobee3 Wi-Fi thermostat with your Apple Watch|last=Dow|first=Georgia|date=June 4, 2015|publisher=iMore}} Other devices are controlled solely through the app or web portal.
The thermostat or camera acts as a smart home hub for their other devices. The light switches do not require a thermostat or camera but do not provide hub functionality.
ecobee provides a set of subscription services.
History
ecobee was founded in 2007.{{cite web|title = Company Overview of ecobee, Inc.|url = http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=49582645|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130119181106/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=49582645|url-status = dead|archive-date = January 19, 2013}} It has been recognized with a number of awards, including the Deloitte Technology Green 15 Award for Canadian green technology companies,{{cite web|title=ecobee Receives Coveted 'Technology Green 15(TM)' Award at the 2011 Deloitte Technology Fast 50(TM) for a Third Year in a Row!|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/861493/ecobee-receives-coveted-technology-green-15-tm-award-at-the-2011-deloitte-technology-fast-50-tm-for-a-third-year-in-a-row|access-date=2012-11-30|archive-date=2012-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312224157/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/861493/ecobee-receives-coveted-technology-green-15-tm-award-at-the-2011-deloitte-technology-fast-50-tm-for-a-third-year-in-a-row|url-status=dead}} and the 2011 AHR Expo Innovation Award in the category of building automation.{{cite web|title= 2011 AHR Expo Innovation Award Winners|url= http://www.ahrexpo.com/forvisitors/images/innovation_awards_list.pdf|access-date= 2012-12-07|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110124153857/http://www.ahrexpo.com/forvisitors/images/innovation_awards_list.pdf|archive-date= 2011-01-24|url-status= dead}}
In March 2018, ecobee raised CA$80 million series C round of funding.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/06/amazon-alexa-fund-and-energy-impact-partners-invested-in-ecobee.html|title=Amazon is backing Ecobee, a smart thermostat company, just days after buying Ring|last=Kolodny|first=Lora|date=7 March 2018|work=CNBC|access-date=11 March 2018}}
In November 2021, ecobee announced that it would be acquired by Generac Holdings for $770 million.{{Cite web
| title = Ecobee acquired by generator company Generac for $770 million
| author = Kim Lyons
| work = The Verge
| date = 1 November 2021
| access-date = 20 January 2022
| url = https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/1/22758128/ecobee-acquired-generator-company-generac-smart-home-thermostat
| quote =
}} The sale closed the following month.{{Cite web
| title = Generac closes on ecobee acquisition
| author = Arthur Thomas
| work = BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News
| date = 1 December 2021
| access-date = 20 January 2022
| url = https://biztimes.com/generac-closes-on-ecobee-acquisition/
| quote =
}}
Products
= Smart thermostats =
ecobee created its smart thermostat, the ecobee Smart, in 2008.{{Cite news|url = https://www.engadget.com/2008-10-15-ecobee-debuts-energy-saving-wifi-connected-smart-thermostat.html|title = Ecobee debuts energy-saving, WiFi-connected Smart Thermostat |last = Melanson |first = Donald |date = October 15, 2008 |publisher = Engadget}}
= eco+ =
ecobee began rolling out eco+ in 2019{{Cite web|title=Ecobee rolls out Eco+, an AI engine in your thermostat|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/11/05/ecobee-rolls-out-eco-an-ai-engine-in-your-thermostat/|date=2019-11-05|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-19}} to personalize individual thermostats to the home's environment.
= Smart light switch =
The ecobee Switch+ is a smart light switch released on March 26, 2018.{{Cite news|last=Hall|first=Zac|date=21 November 2017|title=ecobee launches pilot program for its Alexa-enabled Switch+ light switch ahead of release|work=9to5Mac|url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/11/21/ecobee-launches-pilot-program-for-its-alexa-enabled-switch-light-switch-ahead-of-release/|access-date=24 January 2018}}{{Cite news|date=March 13, 2018|title=Ecobee's Switch+ Alexa-enabled light switch is now available for pre-order in Canada|language=en-US|work=MobileSyrup|url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2018/03/13/ecobees-switch-alexa-smart-light-switch-canada/|access-date=March 14, 2018}} The Switch+ has a microphone with built-in Amazon Alexa, along with occupancy and daylight sensors.{{Cite news|date=4 May 2017|title=Ecobee announces smart light switch with built-in Alexa and numerous sensors|work=AFTVnews|url=http://www.aftvnews.com/ecobee-announces-smart-light-switch-with-built-in-alexa-and-numerous-sensors/|access-date=24 January 2018}}
= SmartCamera =
The ecobee SmartCamera released on April 15, 2020.{{Cite web|title=Ecobee expands its smart home lineup with a camera and more sensors|url=https://www.engadget.com/ecobee-smart-home-camera-door-contacts-home-monitoring-platform-130007827.html|website=Engadget|date=15 April 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-05-19}} It features 1080p video, a 180 degree field of view, auto pan-tilt, Amazon Alexa support, two-way talk, and night-vision.{{Cite web|title=Indoor security camera with Alexa Built-in {{!}} ecobee|url=https://www.ecobee.com/en-ca/cameras/smart-camera-with-voice-control/|website=www.ecobee.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19}}
= Contact sensor =
The ecobee SmartSensor contact sensors were released on April 15, 2020 alongside the SmartCamera.{{Cite web|title=Review: ecobee's SmartSensor covers more than just doors and windows|url=https://www.imore.com/ecobee-smartsensor-review|date=2020-05-09|website=iMore|access-date=2020-05-19}}
= Smart doorbell =
The ecobee Smart Doorbell camera was released in October 2023. Users with an Ecobee thermostat can view the live feed from their doorbell camera on their thermostat.{{Cite web |last=Tuohy |first=Jennifer Pattison |date=2023-10-17 |title=How Ecobee is becoming the smart home company Nest should have been |url=https://www.theverge.com/23919520/ecobee-smart-doorbell-camera-smart-home-ecosystem-smart-energy |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=The Verge |language=en}}
The Smart Thermostat Essential was unveiled in January 2025.{{Cite web |author1=Cat Ellis |date=2025-01-07 |title=Ecobee's new smart thermostat could save you money on heating – and it's half the price of the latest Google Nest |url=https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-thermostats/ecobees-new-smart-thermostat-could-save-you-money-on-heating-and-its-half-the-price-of-the-latest-google-nest |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}
Subscriptions
= Smart Security =
ecobee Smart Security is a subscription-based self-monitoring home monitoring system which integrates the sensors in all of its products into a home security system.{{Cite news|url = https://9to5mac.com/2020/04/15/ecobee-homekit-camera-security-platform/|title = Review: Ecobee debuts Haven security system with HomeKit SmartCamera and contact sensors|last = Miller|first = Chance|date = April 15, 2020|publisher = 9to5Mac}}
= Air Filters =
ecobee Air Filters automatically sends the user furnace filters when their current filter must be replaced.{{Cite news|url = https://www.ecobee.com/en-ca/air-filters/|title = Air Filter Delivery Service Subscription |publisher = ecobee}}
References
{{reflist}}