Honeywell thermostats have a worldwide reputation for both reliability and ease of use; and Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
So, what makes Honeywell’s Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat unique and better(or worse) than Nest?
In short, the Honeywell provides much more predictable design and style features, a significantly busier home display, and, in some cases, a bit more complicated set-up process. There are several additional minor deviations between models, but the design, style and set up will be the primary deal breakers. In which the Nest product packaging is quite like that of an Apple company product, (which has very good details; that I mentioned in my Nest review) the Honeywell is relatively no-frills. I would suggest the Honeywell Wi-Fi Thermostat to anybody who values traditional design and doesn’t require hand-holding through the installation.
This Honeywell is really a a bit sleeker version of the older thermostat you most likely have at your home currently. On the home screen, the thermostat displays the date, time, the indoor / outdoor humidity and temperature, and up and down arrows so that you can adjust the temperature manually. If your current thermostat is bigger than this model and since it doesn’t come with different size base plates, you may end up with clearly visible paint job on all sides after the installation.
Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat Features (Model number RTH9580WF)
Control from anyplace: Honeywell’s mobile application lets you program your thermostat from any internet connected device (your computer, tablet or smartphone), regardless if you are in another room or in another continent.
Easy Setup: The Honeywell Wi-Fi smart thermostat’s easy setup walks you through a few questions to really get your 7-day program uploaded and functioning and help you save money fast
Personalized Color Touchscreen: The bright, easy-to-read thermostat screen can be customized to match your paint, or support your favorite team
Smart and Flexible Scheduling: The Honeywell Wi-Fi smart thermostat provides flexible programming choices for commercial and household needs
Smart Response: Honeywell wi-fi smart thermostat actually finds out your own heating and air conditioning schedules to provide the ideal temperature, right when you need it
Advanced Fan/Comfort Control: This programmable thermostat enhances air flow so it helps control the temperature throughout your house
Auto Alerts: Excessive temperature notifications and filter replace reminders are delivered to your linked devices and are visible on your Honeywell Wi-Fi smart thermostat, which means that you may be home or away, you will never miss an alert
Reliable Mobile application: Honeywell mobile application is available for iOS and Android devices
Indoor Humidity Sensor: Your interior humidity is shown on the screen
Locking Touchscreen: Enhanced locking capabilities and password options make available intelligent security and convenience (kids or your guests won’t be able to change the settings anymore)
Works with Alexa-Thiss model of Honeywell works with Amazon Alexa for voice control or control through Alexa routines but not with other Home automation devices.
Compatibility: Compatible with
- Oil or GasHeat/Cool only system
- Warm air furnace
- Central air conditioning
- Hot water
- Steam or gravity systems
- Single-stage and multi-stage heating and/or cooling (with/without auxiliary and with/without EM)
However it does not work with heat pumps with electric baseboard heat (120-240V).
The thermostat comes with the following items:
- Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
(model RTH9580WF)
- Quick start guides
- User manual
- Installation hardware
- Thermostat ID card
Special Features
Intelligent Reaction Technology for Constant Comfort
This programmable thermostat learns your cooling and heating routine to provide the ideal temperature, when you need it. The Honeywell Wi-Fi smart thermostat calculates the amount of time required to reach the programmed temperature and functions accordingly, so power is not wasted as well as your comfort is not affected.
In case you won’t specify a routine for your thermostat, the Honeywell will “learn” your routines and will start to automatically regulate your cooling and heating according to your usage behavior. Obviously, you can still override this by manually changing the temperature.
Honeywell claims this particular thermostat will be able to sustain 1 degree of precision on any kind of temperature setting. Which is very good, however your heating or ac will kick on more often because of this.
Reliable Wi Fi Operation and Control
Honeywell’s reliable application enables you to program your thermostat by your personal computer, tablet computer, and smartphone, regardless you are across the room or across the globe. This enables you to remotely keep an eye on and control your home’s or office’s comfort and power usage anytime, anywhere
This app is available for iOS and Android devices.
Customizable Color Touchscreen
Very easily customizable the display to any color selection you select to match your mood, suit your paint, or even support your favorite football team.
Cons
The only functionality problem I observed was that the outdoor temperature and humidity reading is infrequent at best.
Installation and Setup
I have to acknowledge, the Honeywell wi-fi smart thermostat was a little smaller than I had expected. The thermostat’s dimensions are 3 3/8 inch tall x 4 1/2 inch wide x 1 7/8 inch thick. This programmable thermostat is not the smallest thermostat out there, but yet definitely not the biggest.
The Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
A quick tip: We noticed when researching the four wire setup was the web address provided for video help in the quick start manual wasn’t correct. That’s why I add useful Honeywell wifi thermostat videos in here:
Determine your home’s heating & cooling system type
Watch this video to determine if your home’s heating and cooling system is compatible with a Honeywell Wi-Fi programmable thermostat.
Click here for more detail, price, reviews and ratings of Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat RTH9580WF
Install your thermostat
With that being said, the 5 wire set up was a pretty hassle-free procedure. As explained inside the manual, basically, you remove your old thermostat and wall plate (if there is any), install the new wall plate, connect the wires and put the thermostat to the wall plate.
Watch this video first before the installation of Honeywell Smart Thermostat. The video explains how to determine the type of wiring you have, how to remove your existing thermostat, and how to install your new Wi-Fi smart thermostat if you have a C-wire. If you do not have a C-wire, you’ll be directed to videos for installations with other wiring options.
Connect Your Thermostat
Right after connecting all the required wires and turning the HVAC power on it was time to connect with the wireless network. Setup is easy, simply go through the on-screen directions and you’ll be advised once the programmable thermostat is linked. After connected you’ll be able to program your thermostat through the touchscreen or computer/mobile device.
Watch this video after you’ve installed your new Wi-Fi smart thermostat. This video explains how to connect your new Wi-Fi smart thermostat to your home wireless network.
Register Your Thermostat
Watch this video after successfully connecting your new Wi-Fi smart thermostat to your home wireless network. This video explains how to create a Honeywell Total Connect Comfort account with which you’ll be able to remotely view and set your Wi-Fi smart thermostat.
Alternate Wiring Videos for Honeywell Wi-fi Smart Thermostat
Watch this video if you do not have a C-wire, but you do have an extra wire in your bundle. This video explains how to use the extra wire to power your Honeywell Wi-Fi smart thermostat.
Conclusion
So what’s the bottom line here? At about $200 (as of May 2014) the Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
The single negative I can tell (and it is not unique to Honeywell) is basically that you need to do some creative or rewiring for older properties with 4 cable systems. In my view this should not really discourage anybody from having this (or any of the newer 5 wire thermostats), simply because in this times when new HVAC systems are certainly more efficient you would like to be able to utilize the financial savings you can gain.