Does Ecobee Work With Gas Fireplace? [And How To!]

Smart devices like the Ecobee thermostat help to regulate the temperature in your home. If you're wondering whether your Ecobee is compatible with your gas fireplace, you're on the right page. We have consulted experts and gathered all the information you need to know 

Yes, Ecobee works with gas fireplaces. Most gas, oil, electric, and dual-fuel home heating and cooling systems are compatible with Ecobee thermostats. You should use a millivolt gas fireplace for ease of installation and better operation. 

Before setting up your Ecobee to work with your gas fireplace, you need to check its compatibility so you can be sure of what to do next. Keep reading, as we discuss Ecobee thermostats, gas fireplaces, and home heating. 

Closeup of burning logs in a gas fireplace, Does Ecobee Work With Gas Fireplace? [And How To!]

Does Ecobee Work With Gas Fireplaces?

Gas fireplaces are a great improvement over conventional wood-burning fireplaces because they offer users more safety and control measures. It is even possible to use a thermostat to control these heating systems.

Because of its extreme adaptability, a gas fireplace can be utilized with any thermostat, switch, or remote control.

However, for ease of installation and general operation, a millivolt kind is better when you want a thermostat to regulate a gas fireplace.

How Does Ecobee Work With Gas Fireplaces? [How To Set It Up]

It makes sense to install a thermostat in a gas fireplace. Why? Because you will be able to easily adjust the fireplace's temperature, fuel flow, and liquid heat, resulting in the ideal amount of heat for your comfort.

An Ecobee thermostat installation typically takes 20 to 30 minutes to accomplish and is a simple DIY task.

You should use the installation guide as your primary source of information because it has detailed instructions that make it simple to install and connect your thermostat.

Step 1 

Search for any unused wires that are not already attached to your thermostat before detaching it from the wall. Be careful to look at the thermostat behind the wall as well.

There may be more than two wires in total in the wire bundle at the thermostat, and there may be a large number of unused wires that are accessible for usage.

Step 2

Verifying how your thermostat wires are connected to the gas fireplace heating system is the next step. Make a note of the thermostat's wiring colors and the different types of terminals that each one is attached to.

Then find the thermostat wires in your heating system. You must find the location of the junction of your equipment and the two low-voltage thermostat wires.

Your thermostat's wires are probably connected to a gas valve if they enter through terminals with the designations Th, Tr, and Th-Tr. To find the location of your "C" connection, you will need to follow the wires from the gas valve to the 24 VAC transformer for the heating apparatus. 

Close-up of thermostat wiring on wall, with colored wires

What Thermostat Works With Gas Fireplaces?

A millivolt thermostat is the ideal kind for a gas fireplace. Low electrical voltage is used by this kind of thermostat. As a result, it is simple to install and operate.

It does not require a step-down transformer to be linked to the house's wiring system. Millivolt thermostats contain all of the user-friendly settings despite their simplicity. They come in digital, programmable, and smart varieties.

If your gas log already has a millivolt valve and has been fitted, you can add a remote to it. You could even entirely switch your gas log set over to a thermostatic and variable flame remote control system.

A millivolt thermostat operates on extremely low voltage, typically 750 millivolts. It provides a variety of capabilities, including touchscreens, digital displays, wireless remote controls, and programmable settings, just like other low voltage systems.

What Is A Millivolt Thermostat? 

Millivolt heating systems, which differ from the common low-voltage systems and the electric powered line voltage systems, are controlled by millivolt thermostats.

A millivolt heating system is typically an electric-free floor or wall heater, such as a gas fireplace or a gas-powered wall heater. Millivolt thermostats, also referred to as millivolt thermostats are used to control millivolt systems.

A machine known as a thermopile generator, which generates a high direct current, powers them. With a push-in clip, the thermopile generator may be installed quickly and affordably. In general, millivolt thermostat systems are fairly straightforward and produce heat. 

Can You Add A Wall Switch To A Gas Fireplace? 

Smart Home thermostat

The warmth and comfort of a conventional fireplace are provided by gas fireplaces, which come in both natural gas and electric designs and also eliminate the chore of wood-chopping.

The majority of systems are set up to vent to the outside. That makes them safe to use and prevents carbon monoxide from accumulating in your house. Gas logs, fire glass, and other hearths can all have a fireplace switch added to them.

In most circumstances, installing a fireplace switch can be done without removing any drywall. Unlike a lighting circuit, it does not require running wire back to the main breaker panel. You will need to run a wire rom the switch to the fireplace gas valve.

In other words, there is a lot of freedom in terms of where the switch can be mounted on the wall. A deciding factor is the style of your home, the materials used for the fireplace surround, and other design elements.

Your fireplace receives an electrical signal from the wall switch that opens a valve and releases gas so that the pilot light can ignite it. The majority of fireplace valves won't operate without power.

How Does Ecobee Get Power?

You might have noticed that the Ecobee smart thermostat has a Power Extender Kit (PEK) in the box if you recently upgraded to one. What then is the PEK and how does it work?

To supply regular power to your thermostat without a C wire, your current thermostat wires are connected to the Ecobee Power Extender Kit to create a complete circuit.

You need to install the PEK on the control board for the heating system. If your home has a C wire, often known as a common wire, installing an Ecobee thermostat on your own is simple. 

To supply the thermostat with steady electricity, smart thermostats need a C wire. The thermostat requires power to run the display screen and other critical features, even when it is turned off. Your heating system control board has to have four wires to use an Ecobee power extender kit. 

The wires are  G, R, W, and Y. The G wire, which is green, is used with fans. The 24 voltage power systems use the R, RC, or RH, which are red. The W wire, which is white, is employed in heating systems. The Y or Y1 is utilized in air conditioning systems and is yellow.

Though there may be variations in these wire colors, these are the ones that are most frequently utilized. To install the Ecobee power kit you should make sure the electricity to your heating system is turned off at the breaker box.

Do Ecobee thermostats Have A Battery?

Sperm storage

If you're like most people, you probably don't give the battery type your thermostat uses much thought. Why is it crucial to understand the kind of battery your thermostat uses? 

When it comes time to replace a battery, it's crucial to know what kind to purchase. Second, different battery types have various life periods. Therefore, knowing the type of battery your thermostat uses will help you estimate when it will need to be replaced.

Depending on usage, the battery life of an Ecobee Room Sensor ranges from 18 to 24 months. One CR2032 battery is required for the common Room Sensor. The bigger CR2477 battery used by the more recent Ecobee Smart Sensor typically lasts 3-5 years.

How to Make Your Ecobee Thermostat Battery Last Longer

There are a few things you can do to help your Ecobee battery last longer. Make sure you are using brand-new batteries first. In addition to having a lower lifespan, old batteries might harm your Ecobee.

Second, avoid utilizing your Ecobee in extremely hot or cold conditions. The battery will discharge more quickly if the environment is too hot or cold.

Finally it's a good idea to take the batteries out of your Ecobee if you don't use them frequently. By doing this, you can stop them from leaking and harming your Ecobee

Does Ecobee Work Without Wifi?

Yes. Regardless of whether you have a Wi-Fi connection or not, your Ecobee will continue to operate as a standard thermostat. But without WiFi, smart devices are unable to operate to their full potential.

The Ecobee 3 will continue to work as a standard thermostat even without WiFi, but it will only show the current temperature and humidity in the house.

Final Thoughts 

An Ecobee smart thermostat in a home.

Ecobee thermostats are designed to work with a gas fireplace, but you'll need to check their compatibility with your heating system.

Although a millivolt type of heating system is preferable for using a thermostat to control a gas fireplace due to its simplicity of installation and general operation.

For more articles on thermostats, check out these engaging posts: 

Is Ecobee a Two-stage Thermostat?

Do Ecobee Thermostats Talk to Each Other?

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