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If you are planning to buy a wifi thermostat and that’s why thinking that you need to pay $180+, I have good news for you; the Honeywell RTH6580WF Wi-Fi Thermostat  costs only about 110 USD (to be exact; as of January 13th – it is $114.99 at Amazon). $110 is not cheap of course if you compare to other regular thermostats, however if you consider the flexibility of wifi access, this is a good deal.

The Honeywell Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat, RTH6580WF allows you to control the comfort of your home from anywhere – if you have internet access. The built-in Wi-Fi allows you to control the thermostat from a computer, tablet or smartphone by using the free Honeywell Total Connect Comfort App.

This universal thermostat has a large, easy-to-read push-button display with pre-programmed energy-saving schedule and a real time clock that keeps the time during a power failure with an option to automatically update the time for daylight savings. The 7-day programming provides maximum flexibility for the ones who doesn’t have a regular schedule and can save up to 33 percent on annual heating and cooling costs. The Smart Response Technology continually adjusts the heating and cooling of your home to ensure comfort at your programmed times. The thermostat has a 1-degree Fahrenheit range of accuracy, a secure alarmnet network and it automatically downloads software updates to ensure it’s always up-to-date.

Let’s go into the details.

Honeywell RTH6580WF Installation and Setup

The one important point about the installation is; you need a common (C) wire for this thermostat. You have to have 24V wiring to attach this thermostat, it won’t work with 120V/240V systems.

Features

The Honeywell RTH6580WF thermostat allows 7 day programming with 4 program periods per day – which is flexible enough for most life styles. Currently, almost all programmable thermostats have the same capability. So this one is a ‘regular one’ from this point of view.

The thermostat comes with pre-programmed with energy savings schedule. If you are not into changing the settings, or if you are a little nervous with the ‘programming’ thing, this one is for you. You can use the pre-programmed settings initially. The Honeywell advertises “Save up to 33% on energy bills” with this  pre-programmed settings.

The white Honeywell Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat, RTH6580WF has a 1-year limited warranty.

Click here for more details, price and ratings of Honeywell RTH6580WF Wi-Fi 7 Day Programmable Thermostat

Special Features

Intelligent Alerts:

The Honeywell RTH6580WF Wi-Fi 7 Day Programmable Thermostat has Intelligent Alerts feature; which includes

• high/low temperature notifications of unusual temperatures (to prevent worrying about pipes freezing or potential damage to plants and animals while you’re away),
• loss of connection to Wi-Fi network,
• or loss of power alert.

You can download and use the free smart-phone app for iPhone, iPad and Android to access / program your Honeywell RTH6580WF thermostat.  With the free app, you can view local weather to help plan your week and set intelligent alerts.

Smart Response Technology:

The Honeywell RTH6580WF does have the option of being set up to automatically switch between heating and cooling. That is part of the Installer Set Up (ISU) you would need to go through to ensure the thermostat is set up properly for your heating and cooling system. With this feature; the thermostat continually adjusts the heating and cooling of your home so you are comfortable at your programmed times and automatically determines if your home needs heating or cooling to provide maximum comfort.

Real Time Clock:

This thermostat does NOT have an internal battery. All program and installer set up functions are saved on to a chip and retained in case of a power outage. It does utilize a super capacitor for short term retention of the clock. If there is a lengthy power outage and if the RTH6580WF is connected to the internet, when power is restored it will automatically resynchronize with the internet time.

Auto-Update System Software:

The Honeywell RTH6580WF automatically downloads software updates to ensure it’s always up-to-date. So you don’t need to worry about the new software releases and their installations. You don’t need to do anything for an update.

Cons

Some users find installation instructions not very clear, especially installing the C wire, and setting up the WIFI. Once the installation is done for Honeywell RTH6580WF, the system works properly with no issues.

Conclusion

I will give you a very short conclusion on this one : If you are confident to install the Honeywell RTH6580WF yourself, or you will hire someone to do the installation; go for it. It is great thermostat for the price. This thermostat has almost all the features as his other competing products (Nest, Venstar T5800 etc.) with a much less price tag… What could be better? 

The Honeywell FocusPRO 5000 is a non-programmable thermostat designed for residential and light commercial use. Here are some key features and pros and cons to consider when evaluating this thermostat:

Key Features:

• Large, backlit digital display that is easy to read
• Precise temperature control with 1-degree Fahrenheit accuracy
• Compatible with most heating and cooling systems, including heat pumps
• Simple, easy-to-use interface with push-button controls
• Battery-powered, with an option to add a power adapter for increased reliability
• 5-year limited warranty

Pros:

• The large, easy-to-read display is great for people with poor eyesight or who want to check the temperature from across the room.
• The simple interface makes it easy to adjust the temperature without needing to consult a manual or navigate through menus.
• The compatibility with a wide range of heating and cooling systems means that this thermostat can work with most HVAC systems, making it a versatile option for many homes.
• The option to add a power adapter can increase the reliability of the thermostat and eliminate the need to replace batteries.

Cons:

• The lack of programmability may be a downside for some users who prefer the convenience and energy-saving benefits of a programmable thermostat.
• The push-button controls can be less intuitive than a touchscreen interface or a more modern digital interface.
• Some users may prefer a thermostat with additional features, such as Wi-Fi connectivity or voice control.

Overall, the Honeywell FocusPRO 5000 is a reliable, easy-to-use thermostat that offers precise temperature control and compatibility with a wide range of HVAC systems. However, it lacks some of the features and convenience of more advanced thermostats, and may not be the best choice for users who prioritize programmability or advanced features.

Click here for more detail, price, review and ratings of Honeywell focuspro 5000 thermostat

Installation

Installing a Honeywell FocusPRO 5000 thermostat is a straightforward process that can typically be completed by a homeowner with basic DIY skills. Here are the general steps you’ll need to follow:

1. Turn off power to your HVAC system. This is important to ensure your safety while you work on the thermostat.
2. Remove your old thermostat. Most thermostats have a mounting plate that attaches to the wall, and the thermostat itself snaps onto the mounting plate. You’ll need to carefully remove the thermostat from the mounting plate, being careful not to damage any wires or connections.
3. Disconnect the wires. Your old thermostat will have wires that are connected to it, and these wires will need to be disconnected. Take note of the wire labels or colors and the terminals to which they are connected. You’ll need this information to connect the wires to your new thermostat.
4. Mount the new thermostat. Use the mounting plate that came with your new Honeywell FocusPRO 5000 thermostat to attach it to the wall. Make sure the mounting plate is level and secure.
5. Connect the wires. Connect the wires from your HVAC system to the corresponding terminals on the new thermostat. Make sure each wire is securely fastened and that there are no loose or frayed wires.
6. Install batteries or power adapter. The Honeywell FocusPRO 5000 can be battery-powered, or you can purchase a power adapter to supply power to the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install batteries or the power adapter.
7. Set up the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to set up your new thermostat. This may involve setting the time and date, setting the desired temperature, and configuring any other settings or options.
8. Turn on power to your HVAC system. Once the thermostat is installed and set up, turn the power back on to your HVAC system and test the thermostat to make sure it is working properly.

If you’re unsure about any of these steps, or if you encounter any problems during the installation process, it’s a good idea to consult the installation manual that came with your thermostat or to contact a licensed HVAC professional for assistance.

Suitable for

It is suitable for people who prefer a simple, easy-to-use thermostat without advanced features such as Wi-Fi connectivity or voice control. Here are some examples of people who may find the Honeywell FocusPRO 5000 to be a good choice:

1. Homeowners who want a reliable, straightforward thermostat that offers precise temperature control and compatibility with a wide range of HVAC systems.
2. Elderly individuals or those with poor eyesight who would benefit from a large, easy-to-read display that can be viewed from a distance.
3. People who prefer push-button controls over touchscreen interfaces or more complex digital interfaces.
4. Homeowners who do not need programmability, or who prefer to manually adjust the temperature as needed.
5. Those on a budget who are looking for an affordable, reliable thermostat that is easy to install and use.
6. Business owners or building managers who need a simple, reliable thermostat for their light commercial HVAC systems.

Overall, the Honeywell FocusPRO 5000 thermostat is a versatile and reliable option for anyone who values simplicity, precision, and compatibility with a wide range of HVAC systems. However, it may not be the best choice for those who prioritize advanced features, programmability, or remote control.

Honeywell thermostats have a worldwide reputation for both reliability and ease of use; and Honeywell THX9321R5030 Prestige 2.0 HD Thermostat is not an exception. This programmable thermostat is a great tool for easily controlling home heating and cooling. The Prestige thermostat is a 7 Day programmable, high definition color touch screen thermostat that practically programs itself by asking you intuitive questions instead of a manual programming interface. This thermostat’s enhanced thermostat features and extended warranty (5 years of warranty) puts this one into a different position in this game; and this can be defined as one of the best programmable thermostats in the market.

There is a known fact : many of the programmable thermostats are never being programmed. they keep running on the pre-set configuration! The Honeywell Prestige 2.0 has “Interview-Based Programming wizard” to easily and confidently schedule thermostat temperatures and times. I am sure, the customers who has this thermostat at home, indeed program their thermostats 🙂

Let’s look into the overall features of The Honeywell Prestige 2.0:

Date First Available May 7, 2012 (being 1,5 years in the market and having 4.4/5 stars rating is a big “plus” for me)
Hazmat# UN3091 Lithium metal batteries packed in / comes with the equipment (battery-powered thermostat)
Configurable for residential and light commercial applications
wifi capable (but you have to purchase the Redlink internet gateway – which connects to your router). Then you can set temperatures from anywhere by computer/phone/tablet app.
Controls humidification, dehumidification, or ventilation (works with RedLINK™ accessories including the RedLINK™ Internet Gateway)
Portable Comfort Control, Wireless Outdoor Sensor and Wireless Indoor Sensor (they don’t come with the product, needs to be purchased separately)
Flexible enough for many different setups; meaning Honeywell Prestige 2.0 HD Thermostat can control just about any combination of HVAC and IAQ equipment that you might have :
Up to 3H/2C Heat Pump & 2H/2C Conventional
Up to 4 Cool Conventional using the universal outputs [commercial only].
Up to 3 Heat Conventional using the universal outputs.
Up to 4 heat/2 Cool Heat Pump using the universal outputs.
Up to 2 stages of Geothermal Radiant Heat using the universal outputs.
Alerts and User Interactions Log – Keeps a searchable history
USB port for transferring Installer Setup, Customizable Reminders
Precise temperature control (± 1 F) for reliable and consistent temperature

Click here for more details, price, reviews and ratings of Honeywell THX9321R5030 Prestige 2.0 HD Thermostat

Honeywell Prestige 2.0 HD Thermostat Installation and Setup
You do not need to be an expert to install Honeywell Prestige 2.0 Thermostat, especially if you already have a C power wire. Which means you need a C wire for the installation. With basic knowledge of wiring, you can do it yourself with a little bit of research. But as I usually say; better to be on the safe side : If you are not really comfortable with the installation, please hire someone for this work. Yes, hiring someone will cost you some money; but spending some money is much better than to end up with a furnace problem or -even worse- with a fire…

If you have all the required wires (including the C wire), installation is pretty easy and isn’t any harder than any other thermostat. If needed, the installation manual is available on line if you search for it (not putting the link here, cause I believe still you are looking for a thermostat to buy – not ready for the installation 🙂 ).

Features:
Honeywell Prestige 2.0 Thermostat comes with many features. All these small and well thought features shows us that this is a well designed programmable thermostat. Here is the features of Honeywell Prestige 2.0 Thermostat:

Large, easy-to-read backlit full color display shows current indoor temperature and humidity, temperature setting, date and time on the home screen. Also displays outdoor temperature and humidity on home screen (if wireless outdoor sensor is installed)
7 day programmable, configurable for residential and light commercial (meets commercial code and is title 24 compliant.), up to 3 heat / 2 cool heat pump and up to 2 heat / 2 cool conventional
Schedule holidays and custom events, remote setback, economizer and time of day.
USB Port;
allows downloading of installer settings to quickly
allows the dealer logo to be uploaded to the thermostat and the contact information to be shown on thermostat screen (this comes very handy in case of a heating/cooling problem)
Customizable service reminders on screen : These reminders allow dealers to remind their customers when its time to call for service, when their warranty is expiring and to provide customized alerts.
2 Assignable outputs to control humidification, dehumidification, ventilation and a stage of heating or cooling.
Tri-lingual – English, French and Spanish display options.
Real-Time Clock keeps time during power failure; automatically updates for daylight saving time
Precise temperature control (± 1 F) for reliable and consistent temperature.
Multiple configurable staging options to provide comfort or energy savings
Multiple HOLD options allows modification of schedule as needed and easily.

Special Features

I have had hard time to decide which features to list in this Special Features part of the review  Some of the features might be special for me, but not special for you. Please think these 2 sections (Features and Special Features) as a whole…

• Honeywell Prestige 2.0 Thermostat is RedLINK™ enabled to work with compatible wireless accessories including; RedLINK Internet Gateway / Total Connect, Portable Comfort Control, Wireless Outdoor Air Sensor, Wireless Indoor Air Sensor, TrueSTEAM and TrueZONE Panels
  • Displays outdoor temperature and humidity when paired with an outdoor sensor
  • If you have 2 Honeywell Prestige 2.0 HD Thermostats at home (2 zone heating / cooling system), you can buy 1 outdoor sensor and link it with both thermostats. You don’t need to buy sensors for each thermostat.

 

• Wireless sensors make it valuable in changing room configurations: You can have a remote unit and program the thermostat to sense the temperature from the thermostat itself or from the remote unit. This gives you a great deal of flexibility.
• Security: You do not need an additional web account that records your usage of the heating / cooling and your daily schedule (at home / not at home etc.). You might take this a positive feature from the security point of view.
• Honeywell Prestige 2.0 HD Thermostat can be set to circulate the air (without starting the compressor) so that the temperature in the 2nd and 1st floor are more even.
• It can be setup to reduce humidity in the house even if the temperature is right.
• User Interaction Log provides a searchable history of setting changes (this feature helps to determine if there is a system malfunction or if the issue was caused by user error. Saves time in troubleshooting and points the technician in the right direction.)

Cons

For me, the only disadvantage is this (a big one): Honeywell THX9321R5030 Prestige 2.0 HD Thermostat uses Red Link instead of true WiFi, so you need to purchase the Red Link gateway to connect to the Internet. The competitors of the thermostat has built in real wifi functionality (like Nest, or ecobee). I believe, for the wireless functionality, we shouldn’t need to spend another $85. The thermostat is already on the high end of the price range for programmable thermostats, I don’t like the idea of spending some more money for this functionality. This is a deal breaker for me and I prefer to go ahead with other options.

Conclusion

The Honeywell Prestige 2.0 Touchscreen Thermostat is one of the most feature-rich and powerful thermostats you can have. It has dehumidification and ventilation control, which you won’t find on many programmable thermostats. The large, high-definition touchscreen makes it easy to navigate and program. For me the only downside is, not having the built-in wifi capability – you have to buy the RedLink gateway, if you want the wireless access.

Even though this is an expensive thermostat, it is worth the price and Honeywell Prestige 2.0 Touchscreen Thermostat will easily save you time and money in the long run.

Currently more and more people are looking for the programmable thermostat that can do the work properly – which stands for enhancing the comfort level at home or office, and also providing the most savings on the monthly energy bills. And at the same time, people are looking for the beauty on the devices. With the information below you will understand why Venstar T5800  is considered to be one of the best programmable thermostats currently available on the market. That’s why this thermostat has the highest rating on Amazon under Programmable Thermostats section – it has got 4.7 out of 5 stars, which is awesome!

The current programmable thermostats try to give you more control over your heating/cooling whether you’re at home or away and help you monitor the amount of money you’re burning with energy bills.

Venstar T5800 Installation and Setup

Installing the thermostat is pretty straight forward. If you are a little handy, you can do the installation yourself easily. However, if you are not really sure about the process, you can definitely call one of your handy friends to help (:-) ) or your HVAC contractor for help. The process shouldn’t be longer than half an hour.

I want to mention an important point for the installation; the Venstar T5800 requires a 24-volt “common” wire to its C terminal because the thermostat needs a constant supply. You may not know if you have C wire or not at the beginning. That’s why, pay close attention to the wiring when you are removing the old thermostat. When you remove the old one, put labels to each wire so you will not get confused with the new ones installation. If you don’t have a C wire; there are couple options : Either to run an additional wire, or you can purchase the optional Add-A-Wire accessory from Venstar to complete the installation.

Even though I don’t read the documentation usually, I always appreciate good one… If I need to read, it is much better to have a detailed documentation. Venstar provides an illustrated, 57-page booklet with both a table of contents and an index. Venstar gets a big plus from me for this  If you want to have a quick look of the Venstar T5800  user manual / installation instructions, here it is : Venstar_T5800_owners_manual_and_installation_instructions

Venstar T5800 Features

I will divide the Venstar T5800 feature list into 2 parts:

• first part covers the usual features that you expect from a programmable thermostat
• and the second part of this list covers the special features

Features

You can program the Venstar T5800 with four events for each day of the week, which is good enough for almost all the cases. I believe, the only programmable thermostat that gives more flexibility is Nest Learning Thermostat – 2nd Generation.

The Venstar T5800 thermostat has a 7 inch color touchscreen, which handles all the operations (for the comparison, the latest iPhone 5s has 4.0 inch screen). The touchscreen is responsive and quick enough to handle thermostat operations. If you don’t have the Skyport Wi-Fi Key, you will need to operate the thermostat by using the touchscreen. However, if you go a step ahead and buy the Wi-Fi key (which costs 55 US dollars currently), the real fun starts : you can use / program your thermostat from another room in your home, or from another country in another continent.

Venstar has apps for iOS, Android or Blackberry; however you don’t need a smart phone, you can control your thermostat through a web browser as well. You can change temperature and mode, get alerts when you need to have your HVAC system serviced, and turn on and off vacation mode.

– If you have the wi–fi key -, the SkyPort’s Web browser based dashboard allows you to track your heating and cooling usage over time (it reports how many hours of heating you used in a specific month, and also how many hours of cooling you used). The system also breaks down the hours for each system for the entire last week. The data that Venstar T5800 delivers is invaluable for someone trying to keep HVAC costs in budget.

You can see a great deal of information through the Venstar T5800’s seven-inch display. At a glance, you’ll see the name of the thermostat (you can manage several thermostats from Venstar’s web portal – if you have rental properties, this is a great feature); the date, day of the week, and current time; the current room temperature and target temperature; and the status of the fan (an icon spins when the fan is running)

The daylight Savings mode automatically adjusts ColorTouch clock when necessary; so you will not need to change the time 2 times a year.

The Venstar T5800 has built in battery; so you will not need to worry about changing the battery. When the power goes off, the built in battery kicks in.

The system can be used in three languages; English, Spanish and French.

TIP : The Venstar T5800 thermostat won’t kick on the heat or the AC to adjust the temperature unless it gets 2 degrees away from the temperature you set (called threshold) . This is built in as an energy-saving feature. If you don’t like this option, you can change the threshold to 1 degree on the thermostat’s preferences menu.

Click here for more details, price reviews and ratings of Venstar T5800 thermostat

Special Features

You have the ability to enforce temperature set point limits so that the Venstar T5800 system runs within set temperature parameters. No one can run the air conditioning too low or the heat too high, unless you share the pass code with them. This feature eliminates kids or guests from changing the thermostat settings. For me this is a great feature, because usually guests and kids don’t care about your energy bill!

The Venstar T5800 is a programmable thermostat with built in digital photo frame! (or a digital frame which can be used as a programmable thermostat  ). It comes with several pre-installed backgrounds (Built-in Nature and Holiday Themes), but you can add your own photos to use as background (Customizable Wallpapers). You can install up to 100 photos to the thermostat and display them as a slideshow when the thermostat is in screen saver mode (Digital Picture Frame). This feature definitely puts the Venstar 5800 a step ahead in the competition.

The screen is also dimmable, but I’ve actually found the default brightness to be the ideal level for both day and night. The Venstar T5800 can become a small night light in your hallway / bedroom or living room.

You can customize the look of Venstar T5800 with a faceplate which matches to your home decor. Options include white(supplied), black, silver and wood grain.

I am not really sure why you would want to use this feature; but you can even send a text message to the thermostat itself (if you have Skyport Wi-Fi Key). A message would be a small surprise to your significant other or kids  (if they ever check the thermostat screen at all…).

Cons

I believe Venstar T5800 and the Skyport Wi-Fi Key should be bundled together. Without the wi-fi features, you cannot feel the real power of the thermostat. I’m hoping to see an internal wi-fi functionality in the future versions of the thermostat. The key isn’t a large accessory, but it ruins the sleek look of the thermostat and must also be removed when inserting an SD card into the Venstar T5800 (for transferring the photos or thermostat settings from a PC).

Unfortunately, you can’t transfer digital photos to the thermostat over your wireless network. To do that, you must use the SD card. I would be happier to be able to transfer the photos over wi-fi.

Video Overview

Conclusion

The Venstar T5800  itself is a well-made thermostat with great features, and a reliable, responsive, and colorful touchscreen (that can be used as digital photo frame). The touchscreen makes the programming much easier comparing the older model programmable thermostats. The Vernstar continuously updates the firmware and I’m sure the system will have more features in the future (without you need to buy a new thermostat). I highly recommend to buy Venstar T5800 , to the ones who wants to have some modern look in their homes, with solid thermostat functionality.