Thermostat How-To
How to Set Up Geofencing on Your Amana Smart Thermostat
Geofencing uses your phone’s location to tell the thermostat when you have left and when you are coming home. Setup has two parts: the SkyportHome app, then the thermostat.
At a Glance
10 minutes
Time
Part one in the app, part two at the thermostat.
Easy
Difficulty
A few settings in two places.
Phone and thermostat
What you need
The thermostat must already be on Wi-Fi and paired with the app.
Hands-free
The result
Away turns on and off based on where you are.
Step-by-Step: Geofencing
If you have not paired the thermostat yet, start with our Wi-Fi and app guide.
Step 1
Open the SkyportHome app
Tap the app icon and wait for the home screen, which looks like the thermostat display.
Step 2
Open the app settings
Tap the menu icon, then Settings.
Step 3
Turn on geofencing
Switch Use Geofencing to On. If your phone asks for permission to use your location, allow it, since geofencing cannot work without it.
Step 4
Set the range
Tap Geofence Range, then touch and slide the blue dot in or out to choose how far from home you must be before the system treats you as away.
Step 5
Save and return home
Tap Back until you reach the main app screens, then choose My Home to return to the home screen.
Step 6
Go to the thermostat
At the thermostat, tap the Away icon, open the menu and choose Settings, then Away.
Step 7
Allow geofencing events
Check the box for Receive Geofencing Event so the thermostat listens to the app. Tap Back until you return, then tap Home.
Step 8
Test it
Leave the house with your phone and see whether Away turns on, then come back and see whether it turns off. Adjust the range if it triggers too early or too late.
Geofencing Tips
- A larger range keeps the house comfortable longer after you leave and starts conditioning sooner when you come back. A smaller range saves more energy.
- If several people use the app, everyone’s phone should be set up so the house is not marked Away while someone is home.
- If the phone’s battery saver blocks location, geofencing may be late or miss events.
When to Call Us Instead
Most geofencing problems are phone permissions or the range setting. Call if you see these.
- The thermostat does not respond to Away changes at all, even when you turn Away on by hand.
- The thermostat has lost its connection to the app or the cloud.
- The system does not come back to a comfortable temperature after Away ends.
Geofencing Questions
What is geofencing on a thermostat?
It is a feature that uses your phone’s location to detect when you leave and return, so the thermostat can switch to Away and back without you touching it.
Why is the Receive Geofencing Event box important?
That setting on the thermostat tells it to listen for the app’s Away signals. Geofencing in the app does nothing to the thermostat unless the box is checked.
How far should I set the geofence range?
Pick a distance that matches your trips, such as a few blocks for a short commute. Try it and adjust until Away turns on when you expect.
Does geofencing work without Wi-Fi?
No. The thermostat has to be online and paired with the SkyportHome app.
Want Help With Smart Settings?
We can set up your thermostat, the app and the schedule during a visit.
See our smart thermostat installation, the Amana lineup and the Amana smart thermostat help center.
These steps are written for the Amana brand smart thermostat (model ATST-CWE-BL-A) and the SkyportHome app. Screens can vary a little with software versions. Amana is a registered trademark of Maytag Corporation or its related companies and is used under license. Rest Assured HVAC LLC installs and services Amana equipment. Amazon, Alexa, Google and Google Home are trademarks of their respective owners.