If you have an Ecobee Smart Thermostat in your home, you already know how it makes managing your home’s heating and air a breeze thanks to the convenient app and voice controls. But did you know you can also use your thermostat as a smart speaker, just like a HomePod?

With a few simple taps, you can put Siri on your thermostat and use it alongside other speakers in your home through AirPlay 2. This guide will show you what you’ll need, how each feature works, and how to set them up.

How Siri Works With Your Thermostat

Apple Homepod home app
Image Credit: Apple

While Ecobee has included Alexa voice capabilities for years, Siri integration involves more than just listening and spitting out a response. When you say the magic “Hey Siri” phrase, your Ecobee’s microphone will pick up the request, just like it does for Alexa.

However, instead of processing the command, your Ecobee thermostat will route it to a nearby Apple HomePod to do the heavy lifting. Once the HomePod formulates a response, it will send it to your thermostat, where it will play it back via the onboard speaker. This process ensures that Siri responses are consistent and protects your privacy as it bypasses the need to go through a third-party server.

One final thing to note is that your Ecobee thermostat can only run one voice assistant at a time, so you will need to disable Alexa to add Siri. Of course, you can always control your thermostat via Alexa or Siri through other smart speakers if you run multiple voice assistants in your home. Also Make sure to find out a few things you probably didn't know Siri can do.

What You'll Need

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium installed in a living room setting
Image Credit: ecobee

As previously mentioned, Siri integration requires an Ecobee thermostat with onboard speakers and mics. Compatible models include the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium and the previous SmartThermostat. Unfortunately, while it has the proper hardware, the older Ecobee 4 thermostat is incompatible with Siri.

You’ll also need an Apple HomePod running iOS 15 or later in your home. All HomePod models are supported, and having one also checks off the HomeKit hub requirement, as it should already be functioning as one after you initially set it up. Finally, you’ll need the latest version of the Ecobee app and iOS 15 or later running on your iPhone if setting up an Ecobee SmartThermostat model.

1. Activate Siri on Your Thermostat

If you haven’t activated an onboard voice assistant on your thermostat previously, you will need to do so first. The activation process differs depending on which model of thermostat you have.

For an Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, you can enable voice assistants by tapping the menu button on your thermostat and the microphone icon. Choose the Enable Siri option, and you are ready to move on to the next step.

For an Ecobee SmartThermostat, you’ll need to utilize the Ecobee app on your iPhone. Tap More from the App's home screen, followed by the settings icon. Now, tap Enable Siri, then Next, then Setup Home app.

2. Enable Siri in the Home App

Now, navigate to the room with your thermostat in the Home App on your iOS device. Tap your thermostat to bring up the control screen, then tap the Settings icon.

Next, tap Siri, then tap the toggle next to Listen for “Hey Siri” to enable it. From here, you can access additional options such as Touch and Hold for Siri and Light When Using Siri, as well as language selection and Siri voices.

3. Enable AirPlay 2 in the Home App

Like enabling Siri, the process of adding AirPlay 2 takes place in the Home app. Start by tapping your thermostat, then tap the Settings icon, followed by AirPlay Speaker (Beta). Next, tap the AirPlay Speaker (Beta) toggle and Primary User to set whose Apple Music library will play if Siri does not recognize a voice through your thermostat.

You should now see your thermostat listed among all your compatible speakers, receivers, and TVs in the iOS Control Center and through apps by tapping the AirPlay icon.

Stream and Shout to Your Ecobee Thermostat

Now with Siri and AirPlay 2 on your Ecobee thermostat, you’ll gain access to another location in your home where you can ask Apple’s voice assistant for help. Since Ecobee’s integration relies on Apple for processing requests, you’ll be able to use Siri on your thermostat just like you use Siri with your HomePod—so you can ask for the weather, stream music, or even control other smart home accessories all with a shout.