Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 30, 2026

Ecobee

ecobee is a Toronto, Canada-based home automation company that makes smart thermostats, temperature, and occupancy sensors, smart light switches, smart cameras, and contact sensors. They were acquired by the American company Generac Holdings in 2021.

Last revised
May 30, 2026
Read time
≈ 4 min
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24
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Wikipedia ↗
ecobee Inc.
Company type
Subsidiary
IndustryHome automation
Founded2007 (2007)1
Founders
  • Stuart Lombard
  • Mark Malchiondo
  • John Metselaar
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario, Canada
Area served
  • Canada
  • United States
Key people
  • Stuart Lombard (President and CEO)
  • Scott Cleaver (COO)
  • David Brennan (CFO)
  • John Metselaar ("Chief Hardware Architect")
Products
  • Light switches
  • Smart thermostats
ParentGenerac
Websiteecobee.com

ecobee is a Toronto, Canada-based home automation company that makes smart thermostats, temperature, and occupancy sensors, smart light switches, smart cameras, and contact sensors.2 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.3 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 by Stuart Lombard in 2007.4 The company's first smart thermostat was released in 2008.5 It has been recognized with a number of awards, including the Deloitte Technology Green 15 Award for Canadian green technology companies,6 and the 2011 AHR Expo Innovation Award in the category of building automation.7

In March 2018, ecobee raised CA$80 million series C round of funding.8

In November 2021, ecobee announced that it would be acquired by Generac Holdings for $770 million.9 The sale closed the following month.10

Products

Smart thermostats

ecobee created its smart thermostat, the ecobee Smart, in 2008.11

Model Smart Smart Si ecobee3 (1st generation) ecobee3 (2nd generation) ecobee3 lite ecobee4 ecobee SmartThermostat with VoiceControl ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
Launch price $385 (USD) $179 (USD) $249 (USD) $249 (USD) $169 (USD) $249 (USD) $249 (USD) $189 (USD) $249 (USD)
Room sensors Wired (requires remote sensor module added to equipment interface module)12 Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz) 13

eco+

ecobee began rolling out eco+ in 201914 to personalize individual thermostats to the home's environment.

Smart light switch

The ecobee Switch+ is a smart light switch released on March 26, 2018.1516 The Switch+ has a microphone with built-in Amazon Alexa, along with occupancy and daylight sensors.17

SmartCamera

The ecobee SmartCamera released on April 15, 2020.18 It features 1080p video, a 180 degree field of view, auto pan-tilt, Amazon Alexa support, two-way talk, and night-vision.19

Contact sensor

The ecobee SmartSensor contact sensors were released on April 15, 2020, alongside the SmartCamera.20

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.21

The Smart Thermostat Essential was unveiled in January 2025.22

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.23

Air Filters

ecobee Air Filters automatically sends the user furnace filters when their current filter must be replaced.24

References

References

  1. "About". ecobee. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  2. "Products". ecobee. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  3. Dow, Georgia (June 4, 2015). "Using the Ecobee3 Wi-Fi thermostat with your Apple Watch". iMore.
  4. "Company Overview of ecobee, Inc".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. Mandel, Charles (2023-10-23). "Stuart Lombard, Ecobee founding CEO and president, announces retirement". Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  6. "ecobee Receives Coveted 'Technology Green 15(TM)' Award at the 2011 Deloitte Technology Fast 50(TM) for a Third Year in a Row!". Archived from the original on 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
  7. "2011 AHR Expo Innovation Award Winners" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-01-24. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  8. Kolodny, Lora (7 March 2018). "Amazon is backing Ecobee, a smart thermostat company, just days after buying Ring". CNBC. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  9. Kim Lyons (1 November 2021). "Ecobee acquired by generator company Generac for $770 million". The Verge. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  10. Arthur Thomas (1 December 2021). "Generac closes on ecobee acquisition". BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  11. Melanson, Donald (October 15, 2008). "Ecobee debuts energy-saving, WiFi-connected Smart Thermostat". Engadget.
  12. "Does ecobee3 support wired remote sensors? | Smart WiFi Thermostats by ecobee". www.ecobee.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-13. Retrieved 2017-05-01.
  13. GadgetComp (2025-04-02). "What are the Best Smart Thermostats to Buy in 2025? - GadgetComp". Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  14. "Ecobee rolls out Eco+, an AI engine in your thermostat". VentureBeat. 2019-11-05. Archived from the original on 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  15. Hall, Zac (21 November 2017). "ecobee launches pilot program for its Alexa-enabled Switch+ light switch ahead of release". 9to5Mac. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  16. "Ecobee's Switch+ Alexa-enabled light switch is now available for pre-order in Canada". MobileSyrup. March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  17. "Ecobee announces smart light switch with built-in Alexa and numerous sensors". AFTVnews. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  18. "Ecobee expands its smart home lineup with a camera and more sensors". Engadget. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  19. "Indoor security camera with Alexa Built-in | ecobee". www.ecobee.com. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  20. "Review: ecobee's SmartSensor covers more than just doors and windows". iMore. 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  21. Tuohy, Jennifer Pattison (2023-10-17). "How Ecobee is becoming the smart home company Nest should have been". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  22. Cat Ellis (2025-01-07). "Ecobee's new smart thermostat could save you money on heating – and it's half the price of the latest Google Nest". TechRadar. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  23. Miller, Chance (April 15, 2020). "Review: Ecobee debuts Haven security system with HomeKit SmartCamera and contact sensors". 9to5Mac.
  24. "Air Filter Delivery Service Subscription". ecobee.
External links