Sensi thermostat flashing snowflake or flame icon
Sensi's own guides do not describe a flashing snowflake or flame. During Sensi's 5-minute "A/C Protection" delay, the Smart and Touch 2 flash the "Set To" temperature instead, and a combined snowflake and flame icon means Auto mode. A flashing snowflake appears on classic White-Rodgers thermostats, also made by Copeland, where it means the compressor lockout timer is running.
Does a Sensi thermostat flash a snowflake or flame?
Not according to Sensi's own documents. Sensi's support page on "A/C Protection", the setting that makes the thermostat wait before starting the air conditioner (AC), describes what each Sensi model shows during the wait, and none of them flash a snowflake or a flame. Sensi's page on Auto mode describes a snowflake and flame shown together, but not flashing.
The flashing icons come from a related product line. Copeland, the company behind Sensi, also makes White-Rodgers thermostats, and several classic White-Rodgers models do flash a snowflake or a flame. If the icon on your wall is flashing, the first step is to confirm which thermostat you actually have.
What does a Sensi show while "A/C Protection" is on?
"A/C Protection" is a setting in the Sensi app. When it is on, Sensi says there is a 5-minute delay before the thermostat turns on the AC or a heat pump. To find it, tap your thermostat's name, tap the settings gear, tap System settings, scroll to the bottom and use the "A/C Protection" toggle.
What the thermostat shows during those 5 minutes depends on the model:
| Sensi model | On the thermostat | In the Sensi app | Delay(minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensi Smart | The "Set To" temperature flashes | Turns blue when the system starts | 5 |
| Sensi Touch 2 | The "Set To" temperature flashes | Turns blue when the system starts | 5 |
| Sensi Touch | The faceplate turns blue | Stays gray until the delay ends | 5 |
| Sensi Lite | The "On" icon is delayed | Not stated | 5 |
The Sensi Lite installation guide adds that the word "ON" appears below the icons when the thermostat calls for the system, and that the thermostat may take up to five minutes to click into cooling when the feature is on. In every case the wait ends by itself. This kind of timer is explained under compressor protection.
What does a snowflake and flame together mean on a Sensi?
Auto mode. Sensi says the Touch 2 shows a combined snowflake and flame icon under the menu icon when it is in Auto, and the Lite shows the snowflake and flame on the right-hand side of the screen. How Auto decides between heating and cooling is explained under thermostat Auto mode. Sensi does not describe this icon as flashing.
Which thermostats do flash a snowflake or flame?
Classic White-Rodgers models, and the meaning is not the same on all of them. On three of the models below a flashing icon means the compressor timer is running. On the fourth it means the opposite: the thermostat is actively calling.
| White-Rodgers model | Flashing snowflake | Flashing flame | Lockout length the manual gives(minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1F86-344 | Lockout, so the compressor does not cycle too quickly | Not stated | About 5 |
| 1F89-211 (heat pump) | With the flame: lockout | With the snowflake: lockout. Alone: second-stage heat is on | Not stated |
| 1F78 | You asked for cooling within 5 minutes of the last cycle | Not stated | 3 to 5 |
| 1F80-0261 | Calling for cooling | Calling for heat | Up to 5 (the setpoint flashes) |
On the 1F86-344, the lockout comes from a setting called "LOC ON", which the manual says enforces at least 5 minutes between cooling cycles; the snowflake flashes for about five minutes and then the compressor starts. On the 1F78, the manual says the compressor starts after 3 to 5 minutes and normal operation follows. On the 1F89-211, the manual says the flame alone flashes when second-stage heat ("Aux or Emergency") is running. On the 1F80-0261, a flashing icon is normal operation, and the lockout shows as a flashing setpoint for up to five minutes instead.
What should you do while it flashes?
Wait, and avoid changing the setpoint or the mode while the timer runs. The 1F86-344 and 1F78 manuals both say the compressor starts by itself when the wait is over, and Sensi says the same of its "A/C Protection" delay.
Two other things can make it seem as if the system is doing something it is not. The Sensi Touch 2 manual says that with the fan set to "On" you may hear what sounds like heating or cooling when only the fan is running, and suggests setting the fan to "Auto"; see fan "On" vs "Auto". The same manual says that when the thermostat dehumidifies by overcooling, it "will cool 3° below your setpoint", explained under overcool to dehumidify.
Does the thermostat or its manual say Sensi?
- Yes
Is the "Set To" temperature flashing, rather than an icon?
- Yes
That is the "A/C Protection" delay. Leave it for 5 minutes and cooling starts on its own.
- No
Sensi does not document a flashing snowflake or flame. A snowflake and flame shown together means Auto mode. If cooling or heat never starts, check the signs at the bottom of this page.
- Yes
- No
Is it a White-Rodgers 1F80-0261?
- Yes
A flashing icon means the thermostat is calling for heat or cooling. That is normal operation.
- No
On the other classic White-Rodgers models above, a flashing icon means the compressor lockout timer. Wait about 5 minutes.
- Yes
For other Sensi messages and settings, see the Emerson Sensi hub.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is the temperature flashing on my Sensi thermostat?
- On the Sensi Smart and Touch 2, the "Set To" temperature flashes while "A/C Protection" holds the cooling off for 5 minutes. When the 5 minutes are up, the system turns on and the Sensi app turns blue.
- What does the snowflake and flame icon mean on a Sensi?
- It means the thermostat is in Auto mode. Sensi shows it under the menu icon on the Touch 2 and on the right-hand side of the screen on the Lite. Sensi does not describe it as flashing.
- Can I turn off "A/C Protection" in the Sensi app?
- It is a toggle in the app, at the bottom of System settings, so you can turn it on or off there. It adds a 5-minute delay before the AC or heat pump turns on, so ask the person who installed your system before you switch it off.
- Is my thermostat a Sensi or a White-Rodgers?
- Both brands come from Copeland. Check the name and model number in the manual that came with your thermostat. The four classic White-Rodgers models on this page are the 1F78, 1F80-0261, 1F86-344 and 1F89-211.