Are you tired of seeing the message ecobee calibrating heat cool disabled on your thermostat? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many ecobee users have encountered the same problem. Fortunately, it’s a trivial issue that you can resolve with ease. Here’s a guide to understanding why the thermostat is not calibrating and how to fix it.
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ecobee Calibrating Heat Cool Disabled
The ecobee thermostat displays a calibrating heating and cooling disabled message when it’s taking an inside reading of your home temperature. Normally, it takes 5–20 minutes to complete. If after 20 minutes it displays the same calibrating message, restart your ecobee and router, check the wiring, manually correct the temperature, and update the ecobee software.
Finally, perform a factory reset, and if that doesn’t help, try contacting ecobee support for further assistance.
Why Is ecobee Thermostat Calibrating Heat Cold Disabled?
The ecobee thermostat calibrates when it’s first set up and whenever you reboot it. The calibration process takes 5–20 minutes. You cannot use AC or heater during that time.
If your ecobee device takes longer than usual, it’s not working properly. Here are some reasons why the thermostat is malfunctioning:
A. Sensor Issues
One possible reason for the ecobee heat cool disabled message is a problem with the temperature sensors. The thermostat relies on accurate temperature readings to adjust the heating and cooling cycles. If the sensors are dirty or faulty, they may show inaccurate readings.
B. Software Glitches
Like any other electronic device, the ecobee can experience software glitches. These glitches might prevent the calibration process from running properly.
C. Incorrect Wiring
Improper wiring during installation can also lead to this issue. If the ecobee thermostat is not connected firmly to your HVAC system, it won’t finish the calibration process.
D. HVAC Power Issues
Sometimes, your thermostat’s screen may go black or power off, only to come back on after a few minutes. It happens due to an inadequate power supply.
As a result, the HVAC safety feature will cut power to the thermostat, causing it to display an ecobee thermostat calibrating heat cool disabled message for longer hours.
E. Condition Obstructions
Obstructions near your ecobee thermostat, such as furniture, curtains, or other objects, can interfere with the temperature readings. It can cause the thermostat to take longer than usual to complete the calibration process.
F. Furnace Overheating
The ecobee may turn off the calibration process as a safety precaution when your furnace overheats. It occurs due to restricted airflow, clogged air filters, or issues with the furnace itself.
How to Know if ecobee Is Calibrating?
The thermostat doesn’t always display the ecobee calibrating heat cool disabled message during calibration. Here are a few other messages that indicate the thermostat will enter or has entered calibration mode:
- The app displays -500°F or N/A instead of the actual temperature.
- The thermostat temporarily displays a blank screen.
- Restarts often and takes longer than usual to turn back on.
Every time ecobee reboots, it’ll need to calibrate. Following are a few reasons for rebooting:
- Firmware update on ecobee
- Overheating of your furnace
- Temporary power loss in your home
- Water build-up in your A/C
- Corroded or damaged thermostat wires
How to Fix ecobee Calibrating Heat Cold Disabled Issue
1. Power Cycle Your ecobee Thermostat
The quickest way to get the ecobee thermostat working again is to power cycle it.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Disconnect the 24V C wire (red color) from the wall outlet and wait for five minutes.
- Plug the power cord back in and turn it on.
Your thermostat will reboot and start the calibration process. Wait for 20 minutes for the process to complete. If it takes longer than that, try the next method.
2. Manually Correct ecobee Temperature
There’s a possibility that your thermostat displays inaccurate temperature readings after calibration. To rectify this, manually update the temperature readings:
- Go to the Menu section on your ecobee display screen.
- Tap Settings > Installation Settings > Thresholds > Temperature Correction.
- Now manually select the correct temperature.
That’s all!
3. Restart Your Router
A reliable internet connection is essential for your ecobee to function properly. If you’re experiencing slow internet connectivity, the thermostat will take longer than usual to complete calibration and result in the ecobee calibrating head cold disabled message.
To resolve this issue, restart your router.
- Unplug the router and modem from the wall outlet.
- Disconnect all the cables from your modem and router.
- Clean the cords and ports with a soft cloth.
- Wait a minute or two.
- Now, plug the power cables back into the router and modem.
- Give it a few minutes for the devices to boot up and establish a stable connection.
- Next, reboot your ecobee thermostat. Wait a few minutes for it to restart, and try calibrating again.
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4. Update Your ecobee Thermostat
Outdated firmware can sometimes cause operating system problems. So, it’s better to keep the ecobee firmware up-to-date.
Software updates often include bug fixes, compatibility improvements, and performance enhancements that can address software-related issues causing the ecobee heat cool disabled problem.
Usually, ecobee automatically updates its firmware. However, it may not download those updates if it’s not connected to a stable internet connection.
To download updates manually, visit the ecobee website or use the ecobee mobile app to check for available software updates. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.
5. Clean Your Air Conditioner Drain Pan
If your thermostat’s calibration process takes longer than usual, it could be due to a clogged or dirty drain pan in your air conditioning (A/C) system.
Debris in the drain pan can hinder the thermostat’s ability to accurately measure the surrounding temperature.
To resolve this issue, clean your air conditioner drain pan. Since each A/C system and drain pan configuration can vary. So, you should look at the user’s manual on how to clean it.
After cleaning the drain pans, run a calibration test on your thermostat to check if the issue has been resolved.
6. Examine Your ecobee Runtime Report
ecobee offers a useful runtime report (HomeIQ report) that you can download from its web portal. The report will act as a diagnostic tool to identify instances when your system has encountered power loss.
Look for patterns and data gaps within the reports, as they indicate power loss occurrences. When reviewing the report, pay attention to these key patterns:
- Gaps when the “Current Temperature” falls outside the range of the “Cool Set Temperature” or “Heat Set Temperature” values: These gaps occur when the temperature is outside the set range, but cooling or heating hasn’t started yet. It indicates power losses during the thermostat’s attempt to regulate your home’s temperature.
- Gaps following the “Cool Stage” or “Heat Stage” columns with non-zero values: These gaps suggest that power losses occur after the thermostat cools or heats your home.
Your goal is to identify the timing and causes of power losses in your system.
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7. Check the Wiring
If you’re still experiencing power issues or calibration failures with your ecobee thermostat, there’s something wrong with the wiring. Follow these steps to check the wiring:
Safety Note: Always turn off the power to your HVAC system at the breaker box before handling any wires.
First, gently remove the thermostat from the wall to access the wiring behind it.
Look at the table below to check if the wires are properly connected to the corresponding colors.
| Wire Color | Wire Letter |
| Yellow | Y or Y1 |
| White | W |
| Red | R, Rc, or Rh |
| Green | G |
| Black or blue (or none if you’re using a Power Extender Kit) | C |
Each terminal should be labeled with the corresponding letters shown in the table. If the wire colors don’t match those listed or if you’re unsure, contact ecobee Support for professional assistance.
Note: Some systems may not have a C-wire, but ecobee provides a Power Extender Kit (PEK) as an alternative.
Here are a few other things you should do while examining wires:
- Disconnect and reconnect all the wires to the back of the thermostat and ensure they’re firmly connected.
- If you see a corroded wire, detach it from its terminal. Then, use a wire brush to scrub off the corrosion. If stubborn corrosion remains, mix three tablespoons of baking soda with a cup of warm water.
- Apply the mixture to the wire using a toothbrush. You will notice a fizzing reaction. Once the fizzing stops, the corrosion should be removed.
- If you notice any open wire splices, hire an electrician to install new wiring and ensure safe connections.
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8. Upgrade the Transformer
The ecobee requires a consistent 24 Volts to function properly, and any drop below this threshold may result in a restart and failure in calibration.
Older boilers and zone valve systems often lack a sufficient VA rating in the transformer, especially when multiple smart thermostats and zone valves call for heat simultaneously.
For example, switching relay boards like Taco SR502, SR503, SR504, and SR506 come with a 24 VAC, 15 VA transformer, which falls short of the ecobee’s power needs.
To rectify this issue, upgrade to a higher-capacity 24 VAC transformer with a 40 VA rating that can provide sufficient power to handle the load during simultaneous heating calls.
Next, connect the new transformer to the Rc and C terminals on the ecobee. If you don’t know how to do it, contact HVAC professional for assistance.
9. Clean the Air Filter
A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, potentially leading to furnace overheating and triggering the ecobee thermostat calibrating heat cool disabled issue.
So, it’s better to clean the air filter to prevent the furnace from overheating. Here’s how:
- Turn off power to your furnace via the breaker or switch.
- Locate the air filter, usually positioned near the return air vent.
- Remove the air filter and inspect it for dirt, dust, or debris.
- Clean it with a vacuum cleaner to eliminate dust and debris accumulated within the air filter. If it’s damaged, replace it with a new one.
- Check for any larger pieces of debris stuck in the filter’s fences and remove them manually.
- Once the cleaning is complete, reinstall the air filter and ensure it is securely screwed in place.
- After cleaning the air filter, reboot your thermostat and monitor the calibration process.
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10. Reset Your ecobee Thermostat to Factory Defaults
If nothing has worked to resolve the calibration problem, it’s time to perform a factory reset.
Factory resetting your thermostat will eliminate any software-related glitches causing the calibration malfunction.
Follow these steps to perform a factory reset on your ecobee thermostat:
- Access the menu on your ecobee.
- Go to Settings, scroll down, and select Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Now, select the Reset option and confirm your selection.
- Allow your thermostat sufficient time to complete the reset process.
Once your ecobee thermostat restarts, set it up and wait for it to complete the calibration.
Note: You cannot use a heater or AC when your ecobee calibrates your home temperature.
11. Contact Ecobee Support
If resetting your thermostat to factory defaults didn’t help resolve the ecobee calibrating heat cold disabled issue, contact ecobee for assistance.
You can visit the ecobee support page to raise a complaint or contact them directly via email or phone call.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Normally, ecobee calibration completes in 5–20 minutes, regardless of the number of connected smart sensors or ecobee room sensors (maximum 32). However, if it takes longer or repeatedly enters the calibration process, there might be an issue with it.
While the ecobee thermostat automatically calibrates itself, you can still initiate a forced calibration by restarting it or manually correcting the temperature.
To correct the temperature, press the main menu and go to Settings > Installation Settings > Thresholds > Temperature Correction.
Finally, adjust the temperature according to your preferences.
There is no reset button on the ecobee thermostat. If you want to reset it, you can go to Settings, scroll down, and choose Reset > Reset All Settings. Next, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
The Bottom Line
Encountering the ecobee thermostat calibrating heat cool disabled message on your thermostat may be frustrating, but it’s a common issue. With these proven troubleshooting steps, you can get your ecobee working properly:
- Power Cycle Your ecobee Thermostat
- Manually Correct ecobee Temperature
- Restart Your Router
- Update Your ecobee Thermostat
- Clean Your Air Conditioner Drain Pan
- Examine Your ecobee Runtime Report
- Check the Wiring
- Upgrade the Transformer
- Clean the Air Filter
- Reset Your ecobee Thermostat to Factory Defaults
- Contact Ecobee Support
Hopefully, one of these fixes has worked for you. Did you fix the calibrating heat and cold issue on ecobee? If so, let us know what worked for you in the comments below!
