my ecobee's heat pump is short cycling, turning on and off every few minutes. how do i make it run longer?

DIAGNOSIS: The heat differential temperature is set too low. The system satisfies the setpoint too quickly, causing frequent starts and stops.

FIX: Increase the heat differential temperature. This is the allowable drop below the setpoint before the system turns on.

1. Navigate to MAIN MENU > SETTINGS > INSTALLATION SETTINGS > THRESHOLDS.
2. Select HEAT DIFFERENTIAL TEMP.
3. Change the value to a higher number (e.g., 1.5°F or 2°F instead of 0.5°F).

IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: Check your staging configuration. If you have a multi-stage system, ensure the first stage is configured to handle the base load for longer run times. Improper staging can also cause short cycles.

HEADS UP: Increasing the differential improves equipment efficiency and reduces wear from frequent startups. The trade-off is a slightly wider temperature swing in your home.