Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net loss (Numerator):
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Echelon Corporation Stockholders	$ (5,163)	$ (3,272)	$ (6,587)	$ (5,832)
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to Echelon Corporation Stockholders	0	(5,340)	0	(6,753)
Net loss attributable to Echelon Corporation Stockholders	$ (5,163)	$ (8,612)	$ (6,587)	$ (12,585)
Shares (Denominator):
Weighted average common shares outstanding (shares)	44,062	43,325	44,037	43,295
Shares used in basic computation (shares)	44,062	43,325	44,037	43,295
Common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options (treasury stock method)	0	0	0	0
Shares used in diluted computation (shares)	44,062	43,325	44,037	43,295
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted net loss per share from continuing operations attributable to Echelon Corporation Stockholders (usd per shares)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.13)
Basic and diluted net loss per share from discontinued operations attributable to Echelon Corporation Stockholders (usd per shares)	0.00	(0.12)	0.00	(0.16)
Basic and diluted net loss attributable to Echelon Corporation Stockholders (usd per shares)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.29)