Side by Side Comparison of: Honeywell

Now that I've used this through all seasons, I feel I should pass on my opinions (updated further down). First, I'm happy with this. The backlight is good, as my unit mounts in a dim hallway. Controls are fairly straight-forward, and the digits are big enough to read without glasses. But I recently discovered a mild issue, which took some figuring out. When I installed this in the summer, I set the internal switch (on the back of the unit) to "gas/oil," since I have a gas furnace. But then my central a/c wouldn't come on. I came back here, read some questions and answers, and realized I needed to set that switch to "electric." Then my a/c ran fine. Come fall, I noticed that when the furnace came on, the fan started blowing right away, which would be COLD air for the first couple minutes. That's not how it worked before, or how any gas/oil furnace I ever used worked. It still WORKED, but I was bothered by the discrepancy. Recently, I remembered that "gas/oil-electric" switch, and set it to "gas/oil." NOW my furnace works normally, the burner heating the firebox before the fan starts up. Which means that I'll have to remember to change this switch about twice a year. That's why I'm only giving it 4 stars (updated to 5). If the couple minutes of cold air don't bother you (or you have an electric furnace, I suppose), this won't be a problem. But my previous digital thermostat didn't have this issue (or the switch), and I've ALWAYS had either gas or oil heat. I guess I just consider it clumsy, and don't see why this couldn't be done better. <UPDATE>: With advice from a comment, I found this has parameters that can be set to resolve my issue. The manual is available in PDF format from Honeywell. It's still acts a little different (my central A/C continues to run for a bit after the temperatures "makes") but that's not a problem, just something that makes me go, "Huh."

This was super easy to install...the only thing I didn't understand is the metal jumper piece that was in the RC and R slots. I had an RH connection in my old thermostat so figured the R would be the correct position in this thermostat. Well, it IS, except I had removed the metal jumper piece because my wire went to R. During my test, the heat turned on, but not the air conditioner. Turns out you have to keep the metal jumper in, along with your R wire in order to make the connection to the other unit. I figured I didn't need it because I didn't have a wire in the RC of the old thermostat. Worked like a charm once I got it back in. Love the simplicity. Feels solid too. I didn't like the slider bars under the unit I had---the buttons on the face of this one are much more substantial feeling when you slide them back and forth.

I had a programmable unit prior to this one and what a pain that was to use, only lasted me less than a year, it started with the A/C not turning on and then the heater, this one is simple on/off, set temp and done, installation was a piece of cake, 2 screws for the base that matched exactly where the other base was, 4 wires screw them on tight insert 2 included AA batteries and you are done, saved my self the hassle of having a stranger in my house and charging an Arm and Leg.The wires are color coded and the thermostat has letters corresponding to the color, can’t go wrong with this, if you are having problems with your HVAC system should give this a try.note : Picture of base if from my old unit, just posted to show wires, Red Wire is power, Green wire is Fan, Yellow is A/C and white is Heater.

it's simple and it works. has flexibility to cool and heat. i love tech as much as the next guy with items such as NEST but sometimes simplicity just works for me. our home is a single story 4br home and this keeps our house at a constant temperature during the winter.

A service call to the local heating and A/C guy resulted in nothing more than a $120 hole in my wallet and an admonition to get a new thermostat. Naturally, he had one that he would sell me for $150 plus installation. When I didn't take the offer, he warned me: "Don't be tempted by inexpensive thermostats. They're crap."So I bought this inexpensive thermostat. I'm a contrarian: if someone says "don't do it" without good reason, I do it.Installation took about 30 minutes (I did it myself and I was lucky: my wires were all correctly color-coded.) The thermostat maintains the temperature to within one degree, reliably. If I set it to 70, the furnace comes on at 69 and goes off at 71.The verdict: It was easy to install. It looks expensive but it's not. It works VERY well.

Very simple. It seems that unless a thermostat is internet-enabled, most people never use the programming features of modern thermostats. This one avoids the unnecessary complexity, allowing even old people to use it.It also independently remembers both the heater temp and the a/c temp, making it easy to switch between the two systems without resetting each value. This is a great replacement to an old dial/lever thermostat -- digital displays offer precision to 1 degree thus eliminating the fiddling required to get just the right temperature, as with old systems.The installation guide is straight-forward and took about 15 minutes.

When you don't want the heat or cool to come on at an appointed time, and you want to control it the way you want it, and don't want to fidget around with a lot of buttons you can't remember which is which - this is the thermostat for you.

I Just Installed Yesterday, Easy to Install, and Just what I wanted. I have been out of the Business, of servicing 8 Years Experience.Honeywell was my Preference. I had to order a Back plate, since the one there a older unit was too Small..

Very pleased with the product. Works SO much better than our old thermostat at keeping a constant temp in our home. Very, very pleased with the purchase. Hubs said it was super easy to install as well.

Perfect no frills thermostat. Keeps extremely accurate temps. Mom loves it. The Thermostat that was installed by her heating and cooling co. was a complete turd. This fixed the problems. No programmable BS, no nothing... just heat when its cold out and AC when it's hot. There is a setting for auto cooling and heating for zones that require this, like desert climates that switch temps from extreme hot to extreme cold, but do not worry about this if you are not in one of those climates... This setting will only be enabled if your furnace is already wired for this action. So if yours is not, you will not even have the option to engage this feature. This should alleviate any concerns that this thermostat is for you or a loved one who is into as simple as possible. My only critique of this thermostat would be that clearly it's target audience is the elderly or people who have difficulty with technology, so why did you make the digital read out so small? It should have been at least an inch larger as there is plenty of room on the face of the thermostat and LCD tech is what? 40 years old now, so it would have added about .01 cents to the cost of manufacture. Anyway, nitpick!

I had an old White Rogers thermostat that was malfunctioning. It was installed in an area where it receives direct sunlight through some overhead windows. Therefore, the thermostat has had an enormous amount of temperature cycles. Over the years, it has caused mine to become extremely inaccurate. Sometimes it would not shut off after the A/C had cooled off the room considerably.I am so glad I purchased this replacement thermostat made by Honewell. This was my first experience with a digital thermostat that includes a backlight. What a great touch to modernize the central air control panel. It was very easy to follow the instructions regarding installation of the thermostat. What I like best is that they have coverplates Honeywell 50002883-001 Coverplate available here on Amazon as well to cover up the footprint left by the previous older thermostat. Most likely these Honeywell thermostats will be bought in unison because the new thermostat is very likely to be smaller than the older thermostat.I removed my old thermostat and made note of all the wires. My existing install had all the wires color coded correctly, so it made installation of the Honeywell thermostat a cinch. This is pretty much plug and play. I opened up the existing holes, installed the anchors and installed the coverplate and mount. After wiring to the backplate, I installed the thermostat and the batteries. The unit powered on as expected and I was able to check out all the options. Very easy to install and use.

This is NOT the most advanced thermostat on the market, so if you are looking for the most advanced, this isn't it. But after the other trash one i had installed was gone, i was very happy with this because it was exactly what i was looking for. This thing has GOOD instructions, and while it has many options to set on the initial start-up the instructions are very informative. For my heating system it was a simple install of 2 wires and mount (My home has a Forced Air Heating System). Depending on things like if its gas or electric, you may have a few more wires to hook up, but i found that the back of the device was also marked clearly and i assume it would not be much more difficult to instal a few more wires. My Heater responds instantly from the commands on the thermostat, whereas my old one would lag for about 30 seconds before a response. This is NOT programmable, so if you just want a simple set temp and go, this is the one for you. The battery compartment is easy to access and remove to change batteries.The only functions on it are:1- adjust temperature2- toggle ON/OFF of your heating system3- toggle manual / auto setting on your fan (manual is more like ON since manual just turns fan ON until it's stopped)Note - I do not have air conditioning built into my system so have no idea if you did have that installed if the toggle on/off of your heating system may automatically activate your A/C or not.Conclusion - If you would like simple well built Thermostat that will do what it is suppose to if installed correctly I could not recommend one more than this.

Works as expected. Hopefully this unit will outlast its predecessor, which was programmable. We purchased this because programming was not always executed as programmed. So we like the idea of manual operation. Biggest loss with this step-down is the lack of an automatic transition between heating and air conditioning, but I knew that going in.8/28/17 Update: Very pleased but took back a star in my rating because the loss of automatic switching between heating and air conditioning seems it will be a fairly negative thing and to my way of thinking that could have been designed in easily and cheaply.

I bought this thermostat to replace a programmable thermostat. The programmable thermostat was complicated and not reliable. This one is perfect. It is simple, easy to use, and easy to see. I like the fact that it is back-lit and digital. My only complaint is not about the thermostat but about the Honeywell "Technical Support". I called them just to confirm the right wiring connections. I could barely understand the rep. He spent the entire call getting my personal info (email address, phone #, etc.) then once he got all that he told me to call a contractor to install the thermostat. Really? A Honeywell Technical Support person in the thermostat department can't answer a simple wiring question about their most basic thermostat? Luckily I found a YouTube video showing the install of this thermostat. It was actually pretty easy. This Thermostat gets 5 stars. Honeywell Technical Support gets 0 stars.

No frills and performs exactly two functions (heat on and off)...just what I wanted. The build quality is okay. Feels like cheap plastic and depending on how often you need to replace the unit's batteries, I can easily see the casing cracking (or breaking) at the hinges. Don't expect more for what you are paying here - sub $30 thermostat. The display is easy to read with a backlight screen. The information displayed includes the actual temperature (the larger number displayed) and the desired temperature (smaller number displayed in the upper right hand corner).I'm not an electrician, but the unit was easy to install (thank you YouTube for the numerous tutorial videos).For as many people who want the newest and greatest technology and functionality, there are still those who want nothing more than a simple on/off thermostat. This is that simple option. This item is a definite go.

I have had this for four years and it has worked flawlessly until now. It's brain-dead simple - which is a good thing, as the programmable ones never seem obvious or functional. Only now, the temperature number looks weird - there's a number there, but it looks like it's preceded by a + or -, and I can't really tell what the setting is, so I don't know what temperature the house is supposed to be. I'll probably replace it with the same item. I did take out the batteries and put them back in - made no difference. Perhaps it's just planned obsolescence.

Works good, but the temperature is about 4 degrees off and I can't find any way to adjust it so it's correct.

This is a good simple thermostat. I like that the numbers are back lit as soon as you press the up or down button. It doesn't seem to cycle too often. I like the accuracy of a digital thermostat, but never had the need for one you can program. This fits the bill nicely. I had a question hooking it up, and their customer service was easy to reach and helpful. Update, It takes a battery to run the back light. The battery runs out pretty quick, and you're left with a flashing "replace battery" on the screen. Would have been much better if the light was powered by the 24v transformer.

I really like this thermostat. We had the manual version for about 4 years and it was good but we really wanted this version where you can setup everything under the auto setting. Installation was very easy and everything worked great from the start. Even setting up the programming was easier than what I expected. If you follow the directions exactly as they have it, you can go wrong.

Exactly as described - a simple, clean, non-programmable thermostat. Unlike some others, this model displays both the set temperature and the current temperature. Many of the other inexpensive programmable thermostats only display the set point. The display is clear and the backlight is effective.

We chose this thermostat because there are usually people in the house and we don't the extra expense and hassle of a programmable thermostat. We were also looking for one that didn't automatically switch back and forth from heat to cool. It's too expensive and wasteful to run the opposite unit just for an hour or two of temperatures beyond the preset comfort range and those days are quite numerous in north Texas.This thermostat is working quite well and was very easy to install ourselves, but we were replacing a similar Honeywell thermostat that only lasted about four years. I hope, but don't really expect, that this one will last longer. I still gave it four stars because it's inexpensive and easy to replace.

It works well enough that I am not returning it, but there is no way to set the number of degrees of 'deadband'. In my case, the number of degrees looks like 1, so my furnace is cycling more frequently than with my old thermostat. I sense I am wasting money because of this. I'll probably call their support when I get irritated enough.

Installation can be confusing depending on the thermostat you are replacing. I replaced an old mercury thermostat and had to use Google a few times to be sure I wasn't making mistakes. Aside from the confusing wiring situation, installation was fairly easy. With my old thermostat my (propane) package unit would run fairly often, usually with cool to luke warm air. With the new thermostat I get warmer air for shorter periods of time. Love the digital readout, my mercury thermostat was not at all accurate, which is why I had to replace it. My only concern is being uncertain of how accurate it is. The readout on my thermostat and my space heater are usually about 3 degrees apart (with the thermostat saying it's 3 degrees warmer than the space heater says).

It was easy to install, and it does just what it says it does. Note that the "auto" (i.e., the ability to automatically go from "heat" to "cool") is not enabled by default, so you need to go into the setup mode to enable it. It makes something of a "click" noise whenever it kicks on the A/C or furnace. That doesn't bother me, but some might find it annoying.My wife wishes, in retrospect, that we had gone for a programmable one - but I've always found those to be such a pain to program that I never bothered. (Lesson: Check with spouse before deciding!)

It looks good, but doesn't tell me how to wire it ?

Pretty standard and easy to set up although the face plate did not snap on very securely, which is a bummer.

Just ok

Works great except clicking sound

Product is very good if all you want is a basic non-programmable thermostat. Perfect for that. But the installation instructions are hopeless.complicated, confusing, almost unusable. the online support was down for maintenance; the phone line was overloaded and hung up on me.I resorted to You Tube and got it working.

works but the screen and numbers are small

We've been using this thermostat for 4 months, and so far so good. It looks nice on the wall and it is accurate.UPDATE: After 10 months, we began to have trouble with this thermostat. The temperature indicated is not the temperature of the room. We had the room set at 67 and it was actually 81 degrees. It almost seems to "Stick" sometimes and then it starts working again. I am afraid to see the gas bill this month!

Promised that you didn't have to manually switch back and forth from cool to heat mode. While it's true this thermostat can do that, the instructions recommended not using that feature if the outside temperature falls below 50 degrees. To turn on/off this auto switch mode requires a multi step process, so it seems easier to just manually switch from cool and heat myself. Otherwise, it's a perfectly functional thermostat. I don't notice any benefits or drawbacks compared to any other thermostat I've used.

The wiring in my old thermostat and this Honeywell were different, the manual failed to explain it, and I couldn't figure it out. So I called the 800 number and asked for help. The man who "helped" me was the rudest person I've dealt with over the phone in years. He spoke down to me in a very brusque manner, wouldn't let me explain to him what the problem was and, in general, treated me very poorly. While he was lecturing me, I figured it out myself, and when I told him what the problem was, he said, "Oh, I was getting ready to explain that to you, but you kept interrupting me." Right!!!I wrote to Honeywell's corporate office and have yet to receive an answer.The thermostat is fine - inexpensive, works well and I'm happy with it. Just be forewarned if you need help with the installation, you may be treated like crap! BTW, the instructions are not well done. There are a few important steps missing.

lasted less then 1 year woke up this morning could not shut off heater off or a/c had to turn breaker off and when I turned breaker back on it would start all by itself just ordered a new one had to go with one day delivery its getting hot here. last time I order one.

The unit is simple to operate and works fine but I really was looking for a display that lit up well at night and the picture in the catalog looked to clear and sharp but the display in reality is dim and not very readable. That is my only issue with this unit.

I purchased this item for its advertised visibility. As noted by other reviews the background lighting isn't even close to what is depicted on the packaging. In my opinion that verges on Deceptive Advertising. It performs as stated but doesn't help my poor aging eyes. Too bad the background isn't brighter.Honeywell shame on you.

i thought i bought the expert instalation too, but lo right AFTER i received the thermostat, I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT AMAZON COULDNOT PROVIDE ME AN EXPERT FOR THE AREA WHERE I LIVE, WHICH IS OKLAHOMA CITY......Watch out Folks!

I've read where buyers have had problems installing this unit (the instructions are indeed bad), but I, fortunately, didn't. It went up in a jiffy, and worked with my furnance and air in the 'default' mode – no tinkering needed.But I can only give it two stars because of a major problem... the Set To temperature keeps changing on its own. For example, one time I set the cool temperature to 77º, and a couple of hours later it read 80º. Same problem with the heat setting. It just will not stay to what I set it at. Very, very annoying.

Does my work with my electric furnace. It does my shut system off. I called for support and they told me to get a contractor I will return when our contractor replaces it

Quit working only after a couple of weeks

Don't expect to get any help from Honeywell tech support if you have an issue with it as I did !! Your call will be answered by a foreign call center (India) and informed that this is a pro model and they WILL NOT give you any help. You must call a licensed Heat/Ac guy for help. Add 50-75 $ for a service call.

This did not work out. My existing Trane thermostat has a W2 wire that isn't useable on this Honeywell. Tried to get installation info from Honeywell before and after purchase to no avail. Apparently they expect you to contract with a pro. I am returning it..,

the description is misleading, it says it has an easy to read backlit display and on the picture it is shown to be brightly lit. I have 20/20 vision and can hardly read it. The display is dim and the numbers are small. The temperature control is good

Purchased this to replace a thermostat that required batteries, no where in the description did it say that it needed batteries. After receiving this thermostat an opening package, I discovered that it required two batteries. Now I am stuck with a thermostat that I don't want or need and out with the cost. I feel like I was mislead by not mentioning that it required batteries in the description. I am sure that it is a good thermostat, but it is not what I thought I was getting.

Not compatible with the unit in my apartment.

This thermostat did not work with my unit.

This lasted all of 2 years...

Purchased without reading directions carefully. Will NOT WORK with heat pump WITH auxillary heat (2-heat, 1-cool). However, the reason for the bad review is that I called honeywell's 800# that comes with the unit. The guy struggled with English, placed me on hold several, several times. Then returned to ask Where I bought this and When....because he said, this very unit is now OBSOLETE. He stated that they no longer manufacture or service this thermostat.

the sensor doesn't work properly

Broke after a few months

Never worked right, we put it in our motor home and finally had to order a whole different one.

Just now got around to installing. Unfortunately, I could not get it to work and I missed the return window by 3 weeks. I have installed many thermostats, some much more complicated. I believe the one I got was defective as I could not get the A/C to function. Besides programming for electric v. gas v. heat pump, the only other option was to leave or remove a jumper between R and Rc, depending on whether one or two transformers were supplying voltage. Tried both ways- no dice- only hot air. Reinstalled the old Honeywell and the system worked fine.YMMV

This product worked for two weeks, then broke in the middle of the night outside temperature was 12 degrees. Not even thinking my new thermostat could be the problem I had to pay for a service call, when they came out they said Honeywell were junk and replaced it with a different brand.

Bought two of these and both internal thermometers run 5-8 degrees warmer than actual. There is no reset.

Failed in 4 months

Did not work for our system

We bought this product in January, and the return policy was for 30 days. The end of February was our 30 days. When we first received it, the screen acted up, but I ignored it. Now, just a few weeks after the return time is up, the screen is completely messed up. We can no longer use this item! Not happy at all!!

Temp reading off by 8 deg. Thermostat set around 68 and this is showing 76. Honeywell brand doesn't guarantee anything.

Stopped working after a few months. I had to purchase a new one from a HVAC company who came to repair my AC.

Supposed to be a universal unit, but it doesn't work on my system, so it was a complete waste of money and time. Had to buy an OEM unit.