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Ecobee Won’t Go Below 70°F? Here’s Why and How to Fix It

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❄️ If your Ecobee thermostat refuses to go below 70°F, you’re not alone. Many users run into this issue, especially during the warmer months when they want to cool their home further. Fortunately, there are a few common causes — and easy solutions.

🧊 Why Won’t Ecobee Let You Set It Below 70°F?

Minimum Temperature Limit Set in Settings

Ecobee thermostats often come with preset temperature limits for both heating and cooling. If the cooling set point minimum is set to 70°F, you won’t be able to go lower.

Fix:

  • Open the Ecobee app or thermostat screen.
  • Go to Main Menu > Settings > Installation Settings > Thresholds > Cool Set Point Minimum
  • Change the value to a lower number (e.g., 68°F or 65°F).

HomeKit or Alexa Automation Conflict

If you use Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, or Alexa routines, they may override the Ecobee’s settings.

Fix:

  • Check your automations, scenes, or routines to ensure none of them enforce a 70°F minimum.
  • Disable conflicting routines temporarily and try adjusting your set point again.

Smart Recovery or Eco+ Behavior

Ecobee’s Smart Recovery and Eco+ features try to optimize for energy efficiency. Sometimes, these features prevent rapid temperature drops below a certain threshold.

Fix:

  • Navigate to Settings > Preferences > Smart Recovery and turn it off.
  • If Eco+ is enabled, go to Menu > Eco+ Settings and reduce comfort hold influence or disable the feature.

HVAC System Limitations

Some HVAC systems are not designed to go below certain temperatures. For instance, if your system is a heat pump or high-efficiency unit, 70°F might be the factory minimum for energy efficiency or protection.

Fix:

  • Consult your HVAC system’s manual.
  • Contact a licensed technician to see if system-level changes are possible.

Firmware Bug or App Sync Issue

On rare occasions, a firmware issue or mobile app glitch can prevent changes from syncing properly.

Fix:

  • Restart your thermostat by pulling it off the wall and reattaching it.
  • Force-close and restart the Ecobee app.
  • Ensure your thermostat firmware is up to date.

✅ Final Tips

  • Try adjusting the set point directly from the thermostat, not the app.
  • Consider disabling all smart integrations temporarily to isolate the issue.
  • If nothing else works, reset the thermostat settings (as a last resort).