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Easy Mornings Setup Guide

Wake up to a home that's already ready. Here's how to set it up.

⏱Total time: ~80 minutes

What's in the box

5 min

Confirm you have: 1× Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced (with SmartSensor included in box), 4× Kasa EP25 Smart Plugs, and 2× Kasa KL135 Smart Bulbs. Download the apps: Ecobee, Kasa Smart. Also have your current thermostat's wiring photo ready — you'll take a photo of the wires before disconnecting anything.

💡 Tip: Before touching the thermostat, take a photo of the existing wiring with your phone. This is your safety net.

Install the Ecobee thermostat

30 min

▶ Ecobee Install Guide (The Hook Up)🛒 Ecobee on Amazon

**Step 1:** Turn off power to your HVAC at the breaker. **Step 2:** Remove your old thermostat. Take a photo of the wires and which terminals they're in (Rc, Rh, G, Y, W, C, etc.). **Step 3:** Remove wires from old thermostat, attach the Ecobee wall plate, and reconnect wires to matching labeled terminals. Ecobee's wiring guide in the app matches your specific photo. **Step 4:** Snap the Ecobee unit onto the wall plate. **Step 5:** Restore power at the breaker. Follow the on-screen setup to connect to Wi-Fi and set your schedule.

⚠️ Note: Most homes have a C-wire (common wire). If yours doesn't, the Ecobee package includes a Power Extender Kit (PEK) — the app will detect this and walk you through it.

Place the Ecobee SmartSensor

10 min

The SmartSensor sits on a shelf or mounts on the wall in your bedroom (or wherever you sleep). No wiring — it runs on a coin battery for years. In the Ecobee app → Main Menu → Sensors → Add Sensor → follow the pairing steps. Once paired, set the sensor to be "active" during your sleeping schedule. This means at night, the thermostat targets comfort in the bedroom specifically — not wherever the main unit is mounted.

💡 Tip: Put the SmartSensor where you sleep, not where you live during the day. That's the whole point.

Build your schedule

10 min

In the Ecobee app → Schedule → create blocks for your week: - **Asleep** (10 PM–6 AM): slightly cooler, SmartSensor active - **Awake** (6 AM–8 AM): warm up to comfortable before you're up - **Away** (8 AM–5 PM): set back temperature while house is empty - **Home** (5 PM–10 PM): comfortable living temperature Enable geofencing (Ecobee app → Settings → Home & Away) so it automatically switches to Away when everyone leaves and Home when someone returns.

💡 Tip: The Awake block starting 30 min before you get up is the magic. House is already warm when the alarm goes off.

Set up the Kasa Smart Plugs

10 min

▶ Kasa Smart Plug Setup 🛒 Kasa EP25 on Amazon

Plug the four EP25 plugs into outlets for: coffee maker, a space heater or fan, bedside lamp, and one bonus outlet of your choice. Open Kasa app → Add Device → Smart Plug for each one. Name them clearly (e.g., "Coffee Maker", "Bedroom Fan"). **Schedule ideas:** - Coffee maker: on at 6:30 AM, off at 9 AM - Space heater: on 30 min before wake time, off when you leave - Lamp: on at sunset, off at 11 PM

⚠️ Note: Never plug high-wattage appliances (hair dryers, toasters) into a smart plug — the EP25 is rated for up to 15A. Coffee makers and space heaters (under 1500W) are fine.

Set up the Kasa Smart Bulbs

10 min

▶ Kasa Smart Bulb Setup 🛒 Kasa KL135 on Amazon

Screw the KL135 bulbs into your bedside lamps or kitchen light fixture. Open Kasa app → Add Device → Smart Bulb. **Sunrise alarm setup:** In the Kasa app → Schedules → create a new schedule for your bulb: - Start 20–30 minutes before your alarm - Begin at 1% brightness, warm white (2700K) - Ramp to 100% brightness over 20 minutes This is a natural wake-up that works with your circadian rhythm — you'll wake up before the alarm feeling alert, not dragged out of sleep.

💡 Tip: Set the sunrise scene for 20 minutes before your alarm. Most people find they wake up naturally before the alarm rings once they try this for a week.

Connect to Google Home or Alexa

5 min

▶ Ecobee + Google Home Setup

**Google Home:** Add → Works with Google → Ecobee → link account. Repeat for Kasa. **Alexa:** More → Skills & Games → search Ecobee → Enable. Repeat for Kasa. **Useful routines to create:** - "Good morning" → turn on coffee maker + ramp bulbs to full + set thermostat to Awake - "Good night" → turn off all plugs + dim bulbs to 10% + set thermostat to Asleep - "Leaving" → set thermostat to Away + turn off all plugs

Troubleshooting

Ecobee shows 'No Power to Rh wire'

This usually means the C-wire is missing or connected incorrectly. Use the Power Extender Kit included in the box — the Ecobee app has a specific walkthrough for this.

HVAC isn't turning on after install

Check that the breaker is back on. Then in the Ecobee app → Main Menu → System → run a system test to confirm each mode (heat, cool, fan) works.

Kasa plug not responding to schedule

Check that the plug's firmware is up to date (Kasa app → Device Settings → Firmware Update). Also confirm your time zone is set correctly in the app.

Smart bulb won't connect

Make sure the bulb is powered (switch on). Hold the switch off for 5 seconds then back on to reset, then retry adding in the Kasa app.