Operation

Early Start Feature

The Early Start feature allows your schedule to start early so your space is the desired temperature at the time specified in the program. This feature can take the guess work out by determining how early to start the equipment. With Early Start turned off, your Sensi will start controlling to the new set temperature in your program at the time specified.

Example:
In your programmed schedule, you set an event at 5:00pm for 70°F.

Using Early Start, your home will be 70°F at 5:00pm.
Without Early Start, your home will not be 70°F at 5:00pm, but Sensi will start to control your system to get to 70°F at 5:00pm.

How to use

This feature is only available in the Sensi app, in the Schedule settings.

Open the Sensi app
Tap your Sensi thermostat name
Tap Schedule
Set your preference by toggling Early Start on/off
When you put the “Schedule type” to “Programmed schedule,” Early Start will apply if toggled on.

How does it work?

To determine when to optimally switch your system on to get to your set temperature at the specified event time, Sensi uses your HVAC settings. Depending on your HVAC system type and stages available, Sensi will turn on your system based on a set time/degree.

Conventional Heating (Gas, Oil, Electric Furnace, or Boiler) and Air Conditioner

Early Start will turn on the heating/cooling system approximately 5 minutes early for each degree difference between the room temperature and the scheduled set temperature.

Conventional Heating and Air Conditioner – Multi-Stage

Early Start will turn on the first stage of the heating/cooling system approximately 8 minutes early for each degree difference between the room temperature and the scheduled set temperature.
Your HVAC system will determine if/or when the second stage of heating/cooling is needed. Check out our Boost article to ensure maximum comfort.

Heat Pump Systems with or without Auxiliary Heating

Early Start will turn on the heat pump system approximately 15 minutes early for each degree difference between the room temperature and the scheduled set temperature.
The maximum allowed early start time for heat pump heating is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

It will not bring on your auxiliary heating system unless it has three or more degrees to go to reach your set temperature with only 30 minutes left to your scheduled event. This allows the heat pump to recover from a temperature setback efficiently and minimizes the use of auxiliary heating.

Example Scenario:
Sensi is configured as a single stage heat pump with auxiliary electric heating. (HP1, EL1 in settings)
For heating, assume during winter you set your thermostat back at night to 65°F and its next scheduled event is for 70°F at 7am.

Since it’s a heat pump, it starts 15 minutes early per degree difference between the room temperature and your scheduled event. In this scenario, that means Sensi will turn on your heat pump an hour and 15 minutes early. At 5:45am, the thermostat set temperature will change to 70°F and the heat pump will start warming up the house.