Honeywell Home RTH8500 Touchscreen Programmable Thermostat Quick Installation Guide
- October 30, 2023
- Honeywell Home
Table of Contents
Honeywell Home RTH8500 Touchscreen Programmable Thermostat
View all Honeywell Home thermostat manual
Installation is Easy
- Label wires and remove your old thermostat
- Install and wire your new thermostat
- Set your new thermostat to match your heating/cooling system
- This thermostat works with virtually all System Types
- It is preset for the most common system
We are here to help.
Call 1-800-468-1502 for wiring assistance before returning the thermostat to
the store.
If you’ve already completed the Quick Start Guide, but need to match your thermostat to your system type.
-
Turn Off Power to the Heating/Cooling System
-
Remove Old Thermostat
Remove old thermostat but leave the wallplate with wires attached. -
Label Wires with Tags
Label the wires using the supplied wire labels as you disconnect them.
Wire Labels -
Separate Wallplate from New Thermostat
Remove the wallplate from the new thermostat and mount onto the wall. -
Mount Wallplate
Mount the new wallplate using the included screws and anchors.
Drill 3/16-in. holes for drywall
Drill 3/32-in. holes for plaster -
Connect Wires
Simply match wire labelsRemove metal jumper if you have both R and Rc wires. Labels don’t match? See page 21. Have a Heat Pump system? See pages 22–23. We are here to help. Call 1-800-468-1502 for wiring assistance. -
Install Batteries
-
Install Thermostat onto Wallplate
Install the thermostat onto the wallplate on the wall. -
Turn Power Back On
Turn the power back on to the heating/cooling system. -
Set Time and Date
Press to set the month, then press NEXT.
Press to set day, then press NEXT.
Press to set year, then press DONE. -
If your system type is.
If your system type is:
Single Stage Heat and Cool
Congratulations, you’re done!
If your system type is:- Multistage Heat and Cool
- Heat Pump* without Backup Heat
- Heat Pump* with Backup Heat
- Heat Only
- Cool Only
Continue with advanced installation\ on the next page to match your thermostat to your system type.
*Heat Pump—an air conditioner that provides cooling in the summer, and also runs in reverse in the winter to provide heating.
If you are not sure of your system type or if you have other questions, call us toll-free at 1-800-468-1502.
This thermostat works on 24-volt or 750 mV systems. It will NOT work on 120/240 Volt systems.
System setup
-
Press SYSTEM
-
Press and hold blank center key until the screen changes (approximately 5 seconds). Changing SETTING
See pages 15–20 to change Function Settings.
-
Press DONE to exit & save changes.
NOTE: Some functions in the following pages may not appear due to previous selections made.
NOTE: If you set the time and date as shown on page 10, press NEXT to function 0170 and go to page 16.
See page 14 to navigate between functions.
Function| Settings & Options
0120| Year Setting (first two digits)| Press to change the first
two digits of the year: 20 = Year 20 xx 21 = Year
21 xx
0130| Year Setting (second two digits)| Press to change the last
two digits of the year: 01 – 99 (i.e., 20 01 – 20 99
)
0140| Month Setting| Press to change the current month: 01
– 12 (i.e., January – December)
0150| Date Setting| Press to change the current date: 01
– 31
See page 14 to navigate between functions.
Function| Settings & Options
0170| Select System Type| Press to select your system type:1
Heat/Cool: Gas, oil, or electric heating with central air
conditioning.2 Heat pump: Heat pump with out backup or
auxiliary heat.
3 Heat only: Gas, oil or electric heat without central air conditioning.
4 Heat only with fan: Gas, oil or electric heat without central air conditioning.
5 Hot water heat only (no fan): Gas, oil or hot water heat without central air conditioning.
6 Cool only: Central air condi- tioning only.
7 Heat pump: Heat pump with backup or auxiliary heating.
8 Heat/Cool Multiple stages:
2 heat stages (wires on W and W2 ), 2 cooling stages (wires on Y and Y2 ).
9 Heat/Cool Multiple stages: 2 heat stages (wires on W and W2 ), 1 cooling stage (wire on Y ).
10 Heat/Cool Multiple stages: 1 heat stage (wire on W ), 2 cool- ing stages (wires on Y and Y2 ).
See page 14 to navigate between functions.
Function| Settings & Options
0180| Heating Fan Control| Press “ to select your heating system &
fan control:0 Gas or oil heat: Use this setting if you have a gas
or oil heating system (system controls fan operation).1 Electric
heat: Use this setting if you have an electric heating system (thermostat
controls fan operation).
0190| Heat Pump Changeover Valve (for heat pumps only)| Press to
select whether your changeover valve is used in heating or cooling:0
Cooling changeover valve: Use this setting if you connected a wire labeled
“O” to the O/B terminal (see page 22).1 Heating changeover valve:
Use this setting if you connected a wire labeled “B” to the O/B terminal (see
page 23).
S A y b s o t u e t m y o
s u e r t u n p e w thermostat
See page 14 to navigate between functions.
Function| Settings & Options
0240| Heating Cycle Rate| Press ‘lf to select your heating
system:5 Gas or oil furnace: Standard gas/oil furnace (less than 90%
efficiency).9 Electric furnace: Electric heating systems.
3 Hot water or high-efficiency furnace: Hot water system or gas furnace (more than 90% efficiency).
1 Gas/oil steam or gravity system: Steam or gravity heat systems.
0270| Emergency Heat Cycle Rate (heat pumps only)| Press ‘lf to select your heating system:9 Electric furnace: Electric heating systems.5 Gas or oil furnace: Standard gas/oil furnace (less than 90% efficiency).
3 Hot water or high-efficiency furnace: Hot water system or gas furnace (more than 90% efficiency).
1 Gas/oil steam or gravity system: Steam or gravity heat systems.
See page 14 to navigate between functions.
Function| Settings & Options
0300| Manual/Auto Changeover| Press to select manual or automatic
changeover:0 Manual changeover (Heat/Cool/ Off).1 Automatic
changeover (Heat/ Cool/Auto/Off). Automatically turns on Heat or Cool based on
room temperature. Note: System maintains minimum 3°F difference between heat
and cool settings.
0320| Temperature Format (°F/°C)| Press to set the
temperature display format:0 Fahrenheit1 Celsius
0330| Daylight Sav- ing Time On/ Off| Press to select an option:0
Off: No adjustment for daylight saving time.1 On: Auto-change to
daylight saving time (for areas that do not use the new 2007 DST
calendar).
2 On: Auto-change to daylight saving time (2007 and beyond, for areas that use the new 2007 DST calendar).
See page 14 to navigate between functions.
Function| Settings & Options
0500| Furnace Filter Change Reminder| Press to set the desired
reminder interval:0 Off (no reminder)1 Reminder after 10-day run
time (about 1 month)
2 Reminder after 30-day run time (about 3 months)
3 Reminder after 60-day run time (about 6 months)
4 Reminder after 90-day run time (about 9 months)
5 Reminder after 120-day run time (about 1 year)
6 Reminder after the 365-day run time (about 3 years)
0530| Smart Response ® Technology| Press, to turn this
feature on or off (see Operating Manual for more information about this
feature):1 On0 Off
0640| Clock Format| Press, to set the clock display format:12
12-hour clock (i.e., “3:30 pm”)24 24-hour clock (i.e., “15:30”)
Wiring Conventional System
Alternate wiring (conventional systems)
If labels do not match terminals, connect wires as shown here (see notes,
below).
- Remove metal jumper connecting R and Rc only if you must connect both R and Rc wires.
- If your old thermostat had both R and RH wires, remove metal jumper. Connect the R wire to the Rc terminal, and the RH wire to the R terminal.
- If your old thermostat had only 1 C or C1 wire, connect it to the C terminal. If your old thermostat had 2 C or C1 wires, wrap each separately with electrical tape and do not connect them.
Wiring Heat Pump
Connect wires: Heat Pump
- Match each labeled wire with same letter on new thermostat.
- Use a screwdriver to loosen screws, insert wires into hole, then tighten screws.
- If E and Aux do not each have a wire connected, use a small piece of wire to connect them to each other.
- Push any excess wire back into the wall opening.
Labels don’t match?
If labels do not match the letters on the thermostat.
Alternate wiring (for heat pumps only)
- Leave metal jumper in place, connecting R & Rc terminals.
- If your old thermostat had both V and VR wires, stop now and contact a qualified contractor for help.
- If your old thermostat had separate O and B wires, attach the B wire to the C terminal. If another wire is attached to the C terminal, stop now and contact a qualified contractor for help.
- If your old thermostat had Y1, W1 and W2 wires, stop now and contact a qualified contractor for help.
- If L terminal is used, C terminal wire must be connected (contact a contractor if there is no C wire).
- If E and Aux terminals do not each have a wire connected, use a small piece of wire to connect them to each other.
Troubleshooting
If you have difficulty with your thermostat, please try the following suggestions. Most problems can be corrected quickly and easily.
Display is blank| Make sure fresh AA alkaline batteries are properly
installed (seepage 7).
---|---
Cannot change system setting to Cool| Check Function 0170:
System Type to make sure it is set to match your heating and cooling
equipment (see page 16).
The fan does not turn on when heat is required| Check Function 0180:
Heating Fan Contro l to make sure it is set to match your heating
equipment (see page 17).
The heating system is running in cool mode| Check Function 0170:
System Type to make sure it is set to match your heating and cooling
equipment (see page 16).
The red light is on| If the thermostat is in Emergency Heat mode the red
light is normal. It shows that the thermostat is in emergency heat mode.If the
thermostat is not in Emergency Heat mode, contact a qualified service
contractor for repair.
The heating or cooling system does not respond| Press SYSTEM to set
the system to Heat. Make sure the temperature is set higher than the Inside
temperature.Press SYSTEM to set the system to Coo l. Make sure the
temperature is set lower than the Inside temperature.Check the circuit breaker
and reset it if necessary.
Make sure the power switch at the heating & cooling system is on.
Make sure the furnace door is closed securely.
Wait 5 minutes for the system to respond.
---|---
“Wait” appears on the screen| The compressor protection
feature is engaged. Wait 5 minutes for the system to restart safely, without
damage to the compressor.
A heat pump issues cool air in heat mode, or warm air in cool mode|
Check Function 0190: Heat Pump Changeover Valve to make sure it is
properly configured for your system (see page 17).
Customer Assistance
For assistance with this product, please visit
http://yourhome.honeywell.com or call
Honeywell Customer Care toll-free at 1-800-468-1502.
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,
- return it, with a bill of sale or other dated proof of purchase, to the place from which you purchased it; or
- 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, 1885 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 that 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. In
Canada, write Retail Products ON15-02H, Honeywell Limited/ Honeywell Limitée,
35 Dynamic Drive, Toronto, Ontario M1V4Z9. This thermostat contains a Lithium
battery which may contain Perchlorate material. Perchlorate Material—special
handling may apply, See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
MERCURY NOTICE: Do not place your old thermostat in the trash if it
contains mercury in a sealed tube. Contact the Thermostat Recycling
Corporation at www.thermostat-recycle.org or 800-238-8192 for information on
how and where to properly and safely dispose of your old thermostat.
CAUTION: To avoid possible compressor damage, do not run air conditioner
if the outside temperature drops below 50°F (10°C).
Automation and Control Solutions
Honeywell International Inc.
1985 Douglas Drive North Golden Valley, MN 55422
http://yourhome.honeywell.comU.S.
Registered Trademark.
© 2011 Honeywell International Inc.
69-2206ES—05 M.S. Rev. 04-11
Printed in the U.S.A.