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Thermostat Explained

Emerson Sensi thermostats: messages and settings explained

Sensi thermostats, now made by Copeland, keep most of their settings in the Sensi app under System settings, such as "A/C Protection", "Cycle Rate", "Temperature Offset" and "Temperature Limits". The screen itself shows little, so a flashing setpoint or a delayed "On" icon often explains what the system is doing. This page links to a page for each topic.

Which Sensi thermostats are there?

Sensi support pages distinguish four models, and the screen behaves differently on each:

  • Sensi Touch 2 and Sensi Touch, with touchscreens and no batteries.
  • Sensi Smart, with buttons and two AA alkaline batteries.
  • Sensi Lite, with two AAA batteries.

Sensi thermostats were sold under the Emerson name, and their support and manuals are now published by Copeland. That is why this site lists the brand as Emerson Sensi and cites Copeland as the publisher.

Where are the settings on a Sensi?

Mostly in the app. Sensi's support pages use the same path for nearly every setting: tap your thermostat name, tap the settings gear, then tap System settings. The ones that change how the system behaves:

  • "A/C Protection" adds a 5 minute delay before the thermostat turns on the air conditioner or heat pump. See compressor protection.
  • "Cycle Rate" sets how often the system may cycle: Fast, Medium or Slow, set separately for each mode. Sensi recommends Medium for most homes with ducted heating and cooling. See cycles per hour.
  • "Temperature Offset" shifts the displayed room temperature by up to 5°F either way. It applies to the thermostat only, not to sensors.
  • "Temperature Limits" cap how high or low anyone can set the temperature. The thermostat shows "Limit" when someone tries to go past them, and the limits cannot be changed at the thermostat.

What does the Sensi screen show during the "A/C Protection" delay?

It depends on the model. Sensi says that on the Smart and Touch 2, the "Set To" temperature flashes for the 5 minutes and then the system turns on. On the Touch, the app stays gray for the 5 minutes while the faceplate turns blue. On the Lite, the "On" icon appears 5 minutes late. A combined snowflake and flame icon is something else entirely: on the Touch 2 and Lite, it means the thermostat is in Auto mode.

Our page on a flashing snowflake or flame on a Sensi sorts out what each icon means, including on the older White-Rodgers thermostats made by the same company.

Why does a Sensi go back to the schedule, or not?

When you change the temperature while a schedule is running, Sensi displays "Temporarily Set To" and holds the change until the next scheduled setpoint, with a minimum of two hours. To return to the schedule early, Sensi suggests turning the schedule off and back on, or tapping the X on the hold in the app. More on this across brands: a thermostat that is not following its schedule.

Every Emerson Sensi page on this site

Frequently asked questions

Who makes Sensi thermostats now?
Sensi support and manuals are published by Copeland, on sensi.copeland.com. Older Sensi pages on the Emerson website now redirect there, which is why you will see both names.
Which Sensi thermostats use batteries?
Sensi says the touchscreen models, the Touch and Touch 2, do not have batteries. The Sensi Smart uses two AA alkaline batteries and the Sensi Lite uses two AAA batteries.
Why does my Sensi say "Temporarily Set To"?
You changed the temperature while a schedule was running, so the thermostat placed a temporary hold. Sensi says it lasts until the next scheduled setpoint, with a minimum hold time of two hours.
Why does my Sensi show "Limit"?
Someone tried to set the temperature past a Temperature Limit. Limits are set in the Sensi app under System settings and cannot be changed at the thermostat.