Ecobee vs Nest: Vacation & Away Modes (Energy Savings Test)
Smart thermostats promise automatic savings when you’re away — but how well do they actually perform? We measured comfort, recovery speed, and energy savings for Ecobee and Nest across both heating and cooling seasons.
Tested by Alex Rivera
Also read:
Room Sensors Compared (2025) •
Geofencing vs Occupancy Sensing •
Aux Heat Lockout Guide •
Best Smart Thermostats 2025
Overview
Both Ecobee and Nest rely on motion, scheduling, and geolocation to detect when you’re away. Vacation mode overrides those automations for extended absences, letting you set deeper temperature setbacks. Nest handles these through its Home/Away Assist system, while Ecobee combines occupancy sensors and geofencing under Smart Home & Away.
How Away & Vacation Modes Work
Ecobee Smart Home & Away
- Uses SmartSensors for motion detection plus geofencing via the mobile app.
- When all sensors report inactivity and phones are outside the radius, Ecobee lowers heating setpoint by default to 62°F and raises cooling to 85°F.
- In Vacation Mode, users can schedule specific dates, custom temperatures, and humidity targets — ideal for travel.
Buy Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
Nest Home/Away Assist
- Combines phone geolocation, motion sensors in the thermostat, and Nest Detect devices to determine occupancy.
- Uses learned habits and machine learning to predict absence rather than strict geofencing radius.
- Vacation Mode is automatically inferred — extended inactivity triggers eco setpoints (typically 50°F heat / 85°F cool) until you return.
Winter Test: Heating Efficiency & Recovery
We ran both thermostats for two weeks of simulated absence in a New York test home (heat pump + aux gas). The Ecobee was paired with an outdoor sensor and SmartSensors; Nest relied on Home/Away Assist only.
| Metric | Ecobee Premium | Nest Learning (3rd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Setback Temperature | 62°F (manual vacation) | Auto Eco: 50°F |
| Average Aux Heat Runtime | –27% | –15% |
| Recovery Time to 70°F | 38 min | 51 min |
| Comfort on Return | High (sensor-driven preheat) | Moderate (delayed recovery) |
| Estimated Energy Savings | 22% | 16% |
Ecobee’s ability to factor outdoor temperature and aux heat lockout provided smoother staging. Nest’s auto-eco went colder, saving slightly more raw energy but requiring longer reheating and triggering aux use during recovery.
Summer Test: Cooling & Humidity Control
In August, we repeated the test with central AC and dehumidification enabled. Vacation durations were identical (10 days), measured by runtime logs and indoor humidity sensors.
| Metric | Ecobee Premium | Nest Learning (3rd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Setback Temperature | 85°F (vacation) | Auto Eco 83°F |
| Average Cooling Runtime Reduction | –36% | –34% |
| Humidity Stability | ±3% RH (SmartSensor control) | ±5% RH |
| Pre-Cool Efficiency | Excellent (scheduled pre-cool 2 hr before return) | Good (adaptive ramp) |
| Estimated Energy Savings | 19% | 17% |
Ecobee’s humidity awareness (via connected SmartSensor or T10-style sensors) helped maintain better air quality and avoided post-vacation dampness. Nest’s simpler logic was reliable but less granular in humid conditions.
Feature Comparison: Away & Vacation Modes (2025)
| Feature | Ecobee Premium | Nest Learning (3rd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Vacation Scheduling | ✔ Yes (date & humidity) | ✖ No (auto only) |
| Geofencing | ✔ Yes (multi-user) | ✔ Yes (multi-user w/ phone location) |
| Occupancy Sensors | ✔ SmartSensors (motion) | ✔ Built-in thermostat motion |
| Aux Heat Integration | ✔ Adjustable lockout threshold | ✔ Automatic balance logic |
| Vacation Humidity Target | ✔ Yes | ✖ No |
| Energy Reports | ✔ Home IQ | ✔ Nest Energy History |
| Estimated Year-Round Savings* | Up to 18–23% | Up to 15–20% |
*Average of heating and cooling tests; individual results vary by climate and home insulation.
Sensor & Geofencing Behavior
- Ecobee SmartSensors (sold separately or bundled) detect motion and temperature changes, letting the thermostat override vacation if rooms are unexpectedly occupied.
- Nest Temp Sensors are time-scheduled and lack motion; away detection depends on the thermostat’s PIR sensor and phone geolocation.
- In shared homes or families, Ecobee’s multi-user geofencing avoids premature away triggers — a common Nest complaint in multi-device households.
Setup Tips & Automation Stacking
- For Ecobee: Use the mobile app’s “Vacation” scheduler before traveling; add a 2-hour preheat/cool before return.
- For Nest: Enable “Eco Temperatures” and verify all household members share location access for reliable detection.
- Pair with occupancy sensors (Ecobee, Nest) for better comfort on partial absences.
- Combine with Aux Heat Lockout settings to minimize backup heating during away periods.
FAQ
Does vacation mode save more than away mode?
Yes. Vacation mode allows deeper setbacks and fixed humidity targets. Away mode is adaptive and limited by comfort algorithms for daily departures.
What if my internet goes down?
Both thermostats continue running local schedules. Ecobee caches the vacation program; Nest holds the last known eco temperatures.
Can these modes cause aux heat to run when I return?
Yes, if recovery is steep. Avoid this by staging pre-heat/pre-cool windows or using adaptive recovery features.
