Honeywell RTH8500 Touchscreen Programmable Thermostat User Manual

: June 9, 2024
: Honeywell

Table of Contents

Honeywell RTH8500 Touchscreen Programmable Thermostat
About your new thermostat
Quick reference to controls
SETTINGS
- System setting
- Save money by setting program schedules
To adjust program schedules
- Program schedule override (temporary)
Screen cleaning
Special features
Battery replacement/Customer Assistance
In case of difficulty
1-year limited warranty
CONTACTS
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Honeywell RTH8500 Touchscreen Programmable Thermostat

Honeywell-RTH8500-Touchscreen-Programmable-Thermostat-
PRODUCT

BE CAREFUL: Never use sharp instruments, such as a pencil or pen, to press touchscreen keys. To prevent damage to the thermostat, always press keys with your fingertip.

Note: Remove wallplate from the thermostat and see the label on the back of the thermostat for model number.

This thermostat contains a Lithium battery which may contain Perchlorate material. Perchlorate Material—special handling may apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate

Read and save these instructions.

About your new thermostat

Congratulations! You’ve just purchased the world’s most advanced, easy-to-use thermostat. It has been designed to give you many years of reliable service and touchscreen climate control.

Features

7-day program schedules maximize comfort and economy.
Armchair programming: Just pull thermostat from the wall to set schedules.
One-touch temp control overrides program schedule at any time.
Precise comfort control keeps temperature within 1°F of the level you set.
Change/check reminders let you know when to replace filters and batteries.
Large touchscreen display with backlight is easy to read—even in the dark.

This thermostat is ready to go!

Your new thermostat is pre-programmed and ready to go. All you have to do is set the time and day. Then check the settings below and change if needed:

Set clock ……………………………………………………………………………………………. See
Select fan setting: Preset to Auto………………………………………… To change,
Select system setting: Preset to Heat………………………………….. To change,
Program schedules: Preset to energy-saving levels while you’re at work or asleep (assumes you wake at 6 am, leave at 8 am, return at 6 pm and go to bed at 10 pm)………………………………………………..To change.

ONE-TOUCH TEMP CONTROL: You can override the program schedule at any time, and manually adjust the temperature.

Quick reference to controls

Honeywell-RTH8500-Touchscreen-Programmable-Thermostat-
FIG-2

Quick reference to status display

Honeywell-RTH8500-Touchscreen-Programmable-Thermostat-
FIG-3

Other display messages

Cool On: Cooling system is activated
Heat On: Heating system is activated
Aux Heat On: Auxiliary heating system is activated (heat pump systems only)

SETTINGS

Clock setting

To set the current time display, press CLOCK, then press or to adjust the time. Press and hold or to advance the time more quickly.
Press DONE to save & exit (or press CANCEL to exit without changing the time).

Note

The real-time clock should never require adjustment since it automatically updates for daylight savings time, and stores all date/time information.
To change the current week day display, see see System Setup in your Installation Guide.

Fan setting

Press FAN to select fan operation, then press DONE.

On: Fan is always on.
Auto: Fan runs only when the heating or cooling system is on.

System setting

Press the SYSTEM button to select, then press DONE.

Heat: Thermostat controls only the heating system.
Cool: Thermostat controls only the cooling system.
Auto: Thermostat automatically selects heating or cooling depending on the indoor temperature.
Off: Heating and cooling systems are off.
Em Heat (only for heat pumps with auxiliary heat): Thermostat controls Emergency and Auxiliary Heat. The compressor is locked out.

_ Note: _The Auto and Em Heat system settings may not appear, depending on how your thermostat was installed.

Save money by setting program schedules

It’s easy to program your system for maximum energy savings. You can program four time periods each day, with different settings for weekdays and weekends.

WAKE: Set to the time you awaken and the temperature you want during the morning, until you leave for the day.
- 6:00 am
- 70 °
LEAVE: Set to the time you leave home and the temperature you want while you are away (usually an energy-saving level).
- 8:00 am
- 62 °
RETURN: Set to the time you return home and the temperature you want during the evening, until bedtime.
- 6:00 pm
- 70 °
SLEEP: Set to the time you go to bed and the temperature you want overnight (usually an energy-saving level).
- 10:00 pm
- 62 °

Energy saving settings for maximum cost savings

This thermostat is pre-set to use energy saving program settings. We recommend these settings, since they can reduce your heating/cooling expenses. (See next page to adjust times and temperatures of each time period.)

Honeywell-RTH8500-Touchscreen-Programmable-Thermostat-
FIG-8

To adjust program schedules

Press SCHED, then EDIT.
Press day buttons (MON-SUN) to select day(s).
Press or to set Wake time for selected day(s).
Press or to set Heat and Cool temperature for this time period.
Press other time periods (LEAVE, RETURN, SLEEP) to set time and temperatures for each.
Press DONE to save & exit (or press CANCEL to exit without saving changes).

Note: You can press CANCEL PERIOD to eliminate any unwanted time period.

Program schedule override (temporary)

Press or to immediately adjust the temperature. This will temporarily override the temperature setting for the current time period. The new temperature will be maintained only until the time you set. When the timer expires, the program schedule will resume and set the temperature to the level you’ve programmed for the current time period. To cancel the temporary setting at any time, press CANCEL (or SCHED). The program schedule will resume.

Program schedule override (permanent)

Press HOLD to permanently adjust the temperature. This will turn off the program schedule. Whatever temperature you set will be maintained 24 hours a day until you manually change it or press CANCEL (or SCHED) to cancel “Hold” and resume the program schedule.

Vacation hold

This feature can suspend the program schedule for extended periods of time.
Press or to set the temperature you want, then press s or t to set the time of day you want the schedule to resume when you return.
Press HOLD twice, then press or to select the number of days.
Whatever temperature you set will be maintained 24 hours a day for the number of days you select. After this number of days have elapsed, the previously programmed schedule will resume at the time you set.
If you return earlier than expected, press CANCEL (or SCHED) to cancel “Hold” and resume the program schedule.

Screen cleaning

Press SCREEN to lock the screen for cleaning.
The screen will remain locked for 30 seconds so you can clean the screen without changing any settings.
After 30 seconds, press DONE to resume normal operation, or press SCREEN again if you require more time for cleaning.

Note: Do not spray any liquid directly on the thermostat. Spray liquids onto a cloth, then use the damp cloth to clean the screen. Use water or household glass cleaner. Avoid abrasive cleansers.

Furnace filter reminder

If activated during installation, the furnace filter reminder alerts you when it is time to replace your filter. Press RESET after changing the filter, to restart the timer. To change the reminder interval:

Press MORE, then EDIT.
Press or to select the desired interval, then press DONE.
Press RESET.
Press DONE to save and exit.

Special features

Smart Response® Technology: This feature allows the thermostat to “learn” how long the furnace and air conditioner take to reach programmed temperature settings, so the temperature is reached at the time you set. For example: Set the Wake time to 6 am, and the temperature to 70°. The heat will come on before 6 am, so the temperature is 70° by the time you wake at 6. The message “Recovery” is displayed when the system is activated before a scheduled time period.

Compressor Protection: This feature forces the compressor to wait a few minutes before restarting, to prevent equipment damage. During the wait time, the message “Wait” is displayed on screen.

Auto Changeover: This feature is used in climates where both air conditioning and heating are used on the same day. When the system is set to Auto, the thermostat automatically selects heating or cooling depending on the indoor temperature. Heat and cool settings must be at least 3 degrees apart. The thermostat will automatically adjust settings to maintain this 3-degree separation.

CAUTION: To avoid possible compressor damage, do not use Auto Changeover if the outside temperature drops below 50°F (10°C).

Battery replacement/Customer Assistance

Batteries are optional (to provide backup power) if your thermostat was wired to run on AC power when installed. Install fresh batteries immediately when the LO BATT warning begins flashing. The warning flashes about 30 days before batteries are depleted. Even if the warning does not appear, you should replace batteries once a year, or before leaving home for more than a month.

For assistance with this product, please visit: http://yourhome.honeywell.com or call Honeywell Customer Care toll-free at 1-800-468-1502.

In case of difficulty

If you have difficulty with your thermostat, please try the following suggestions. Most problems can be corrected quickly and easily.

Display is blank: Check circuit breaker and reset if necessary.
- Make sure power switch at heating & cooling system is on.
- Make sure furnace door is closed securely.
- If thermostat is battery powered, make sure fresh AAA alkaline batteries are correctly installed.
Button on lower right of screen is blank: This button will remain blank unless the furnace filter change reminder is activated (see System Setup in your Installation Guide).
Heating or cooling system does not respond: Press SYSTEM to set system to Heat. Make sure the temperature is set higher than the Inside temperature.
Press SYSTEM to set system to Cool. Make sure the temperature is set lower than the Inside temperature.
Check circuit breaker and reset if necessary.
Make sure power switch at heating & cooling system is on.
Make sure furnace door is closed securely.
If “Wait” is displayed, the compressor protection timer is on. Wait 5 minutes for the system to restart safely, without damaging the compressor.

1-year limited warranty

Honeywell warrants this product, excluding battery, to be free from defects in the workmanship or materials, under normal use and service, for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase by the consumer. If at any time during the warranty period the product is determined to be defective or malfunctions, Honeywell shall repair or replace it (at Honeywell’s option).

If the product is defective

(i) return it, with a bill of sale or other dated proof of purchase, to the place from which you purchased it; or
(ii) call Honeywell Customer Care at 1-800-468-1502. Customer Care will make the determination whether the product should be returned to the following address: Honeywell Return Goods, Dock 4 MN10-3860, 1985 Douglas Dr. N., Golden Valley, MN 55422, or whether a replacement product can be sent to you. This warranty does not cover removal or reinstallation costs. This warranty shall not apply if it is shown by Honeywell that the defect or malfunction was caused by damage which occurred while the product was in the possession of a consumer.

Honeywell’s sole responsibility shall be to repair or replace the product within the terms stated above. HONEYWELL SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM ANY BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OR ANY OTHER FAILURE OF THIS PRODUCT. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this limitation may not apply to you. THIS WARRANTY IS THE ONLY EXPRESS WARRANTY HONEYWELL MAKES ON THIS PRODUCT. THE DURATION OF ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, IS HEREBY LIMITED TO THE ONE-YEAR DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.

If you have any questions concerning this warranty, please write Honeywell Customer Relations, 1985 Douglas Dr, Golden Valley, MN 55422 or call 1-800-468-1502.