my ecobee smart sensor says it detects occupancy but the battery died in like a year, not five. what happened?

Battery life is reduced by environment and placement. Five years is under ideal conditions.

Primary cause: The sensor is in a high-traffic area. Constant occupancy detection uses more power. Also, high or low ambient temperature drains the battery faster.

Fix:

1. Replace the battery with a new CR-2477 coin-cell. The CR-2477N is not compatible.
2. Relocate the sensor if possible. For optimal battery life, avoid placing it in the busiest spot in the house.

If that didn't work: Check for interference. Devices like baby monitors or cordless phones operating on 915MHz can force the sensor to use more power to communicate with the thermostat, reducing range and battery life.

Heads up: For best temperature readings, place the sensor at 4 ft high. For best 'pet immunity' to prevent false triggers, place it at 6.5 ft high. The sensor has a 140° horizontal viewing angle.