Hi,
A good implementation starts with a good design.
No other ecobee implementation can expose so many ecobee API features, as their design limits the features they can expose. In fact, the stock ST device is very limited because of its design,
My design is unique (and has been validated by the SmartThings architects)…There is
no back and forth between a parent smartapp (which causes performance issues) and the device handler for each feature: the device handler is as independent as possible and can even work without the parent smartapp. The DTH can run without the service manager if needed (can be useful when the ST platform has severe performance and backend issues like back in December). No other ecobee implementation can do that, as their design is too tightly coupled.
I’ve created many automations and divided them into many smartapps as I want to create as many independent & dedicated services as possible.
This way, each “micro service” can be modified & tested independently from each other: this design approach allows faster changes and less ST related platform issues (instead of creating a big smartapp that does everything and requires more maintenance). This “micro service” approach limits the impact on the end users as well when a change is needed.
The end users can also pick and choose the automations that they really need to meet their own use cases.
As a reminder to the rich capabilties of MyEcobee device, here are some use cases (and the related smartapps):
1) Setting your thermostat to Away or Home based on ST hello modes
See the ecobeeChangeMode smartapp.
2) Resuming your program/climate when you’re back home
See the ecobeeResumeProg smartapp.
3) Setting your thermostat to vacation mode
See the ecobeeManageVacation smartapp.
4) Creating/updating your ecobee climates/schedules
See the ecobeeManageClimate smartapp.
5) Setting your ecobee climate/program at a given time
See the ecobeeSetClimate smartapp.
6) Monitoring and setting your indoor humidity level using your humidifer/dehumidifer/HRV/ERV (when connected to ecobee)
It also allows you to use the ecobee’s free cooling feature…
See the MonitorAndSetEcobeeHumidity smartapp and this thread for more details:
7) Monitoring and setting your setpoints based on any ST connected indoor temp/motion sensors (similar to ecobee3’s follow me feature) & outdoor temperature
See the MonitorAndSetEcobeeTemp smartapp., and this thread for more details:
8) Exposing your ecobee3’s remote sensors to SmartThings for HA scenarios
See the ecobee3RemoteSensorInit smartapp.
9) Controlling your smart vents based on your indoor temp/motion sensors in conjunction with your thermostat’s programs & setpoints
See the ecobeeSetZoneWithSchedule smartapp
10) Controlling your minimum fan time per hour during a climate/schedule run
See the ecobeeSetFanMinOnTime smartapp
11) Generating some ecobee HVAC stats on a daily basis and sending them to groveStreams for data analytics
You can then use groveStreams to map your stats on a graph like this one:
So, when you get serious about the ST-Ecobee Integration, My Ecobee device is there
for you. And, it keeps getting better because of its well-built design that can grow with you.
For any further questions about MyEcobee device, send me an email to services@maisonsecomatiq.com.
My Smartapps are getting recognized also not only by Ecobee, but by other partners as well: Keen Home Smart Vents just recognized my work recently.
The smart vents integration means that you can schedule your ecobee’s setpoints in conjunction with controlling your smart vents.
No other implementation out there allows such smart integration for better comfort and energy savings.
Why settle for less when you can get everything and much more??
See this thread for more details:
Regards.
_P.S. My design is also better suited for the next generation of ecobee thermostats.
In fact, My ecobee device’s design is so versatile that it can run for any ecobee thermostat models: ecobee3, Smart-SI, Smart, EMS, and any upcoming models.