can i turn off just the time of use feature on my ecobee premium? i don't like it precooling my house.

Diagnosis

The issue stems from the "eco+" suite of intelligence features integrated into the ecobee SmartThermostat Premium. Specifically, the Time of Use (ToU) feature is designed to analyze your local utility company's peak and off-peak pricing. When active, the thermostat employs a "precooling" or "preheating" logic, where it intentionally lowers the temperature of your home below your set point shortly before a high-cost peak period begins. This is intended to save money by shifting energy consumption, but it often results in a home that feels too cold or an HVAC system that runs excessively during the early afternoon. To confirm this is the cause, check your thermostat screen during the hours leading up to your utility's peak window. If you see the "eco+" icon on the main display and the temperature is drifting 2-3 degrees below your actual set point despite no one being home or no schedule change occurring, the Time of Use algorithm is actively overriding your manual settings to "bank" thermal energy in your walls and furniture.

How to Fix It

To disable the precooling behavior without turning off other energy-saving features like Smart Recovery or Time of Day, follow these precise steps on the thermostat hardware:

1. Tap the Main Menu (three horizontal lines) on the bottom left of the SmartThermostat Premium screen.
2. Navigate to eco+ and select it to enter the energy optimization dashboard.
3. Scroll through the list of active features until you find Time of Use.
4. Tap the toggle switch to the Off position. The indicator will change from green/blue to grey.
5. Exit the menu by tapping the back arrow or the home icon. The thermostat will immediately cease all precooling calculations and return to following your Comfort Settings strictly.
6. To ensure the utility provider isn't forcing a remote override, go to Main Menu > Settings > Installation Settings > Utility Information and verify that any "Demand Response" or "Rush Hour Rewards" programs are opted out if you want total manual control.

If That Didn't Work

• Disable the entire eco+ suite: If the device continues to fluctuate, there may be a conflict between Time of Use and "Smart Recovery." Go to the eco+ menu and toggle the master switch at the top to Off. This disables all algorithmic overrides, including Time of Use, Smart Recovery, and FeelController, ensuring the unit acts as a traditional "dumb" thermostat.
• Check for Utility-Managed Overrides: If you signed up for a rebate program through your energy provider (like Demand Response), the utility company can remotely trigger "Event" cooling. These overrides bypass the local eco+ settings. You must log into your utility provider's web portal or the ecobee app under Account Management to opt out of these specific energy-saving events.
• Adjust the Comfort Settings: If the house still feels too cold, check your Comfort Settings (Home, Away, Sleep). Ensure there isn't a secondary "Cool" set point that is lower than you intended, as the Premium model allows for very granular temperature offsets that can mimic the feel of precooling.
• Perform a Hard Reboot: Occasionally, the software state for eco+ can hang. Pull the thermostat off the wall backplate, wait 30 seconds, and snap it back in. This forces the device to re-sync with the ecobee servers and apply the "Off" status for the Time of Use feature.

Heads Up

• Smart Recovery Conflict: Be aware that disabling Time of Use does not disable Smart Recovery. Smart Recovery will still start your AC early to reach a target temperature by a specific time; this is different from precooling for cost savings.
• Sensor Influence: If you have remote Room Sensors, ensure "Follow Me" is enabled. If the thermostat is precooling based on a sensor in a cold room, it may overcool the rest of the house.
• Firmware Updates: ecobee pushes updates silently. After a major firmware update, some eco+ settings may reset to "Recommended" (On). Check your settings once a month to ensure your preferences are maintained.
• HVAC Wear: Frequent precooling cycles can increase wear on your compressor. Disabling this feature is often better for the long-term health of older HVAC systems that cannot handle rapid cycling.