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Freedom251 › Blog › Honeywell thermostat

How to Set a Honeywell Thermostat to Heat and Start Heating

By Freedom251 Team · · 3 min read

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To switch a Honeywell thermostat from cooling to heating, select Heat on its System or mode control. If your thermostat has a physical SYSTEM switch, move it from COOL to HEAT. Then set the target temperature above the room temperature to call for heat. The exact controls vary by model, so use the matching manual if your thermostat’s labels or menus differ.

Switch the thermostat to Heat

Choose the method that matches your thermostat’s controls; there is no single button sequence for every Honeywell model.

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Models with a physical SYSTEM switch

On the PRO TH4110B, move the SYSTEM switch to Heat. Its other positions are Cool and Off: Heat controls the heating system, Cool controls the cooling system, and Off turns both off. Other thermostats may have different labels or capabilities, so check your model’s manual.

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Models with buttons or a touchscreen

Use the thermostat’s System or mode control and select Heat. The control may be on the home screen or in a menu, depending on the model. For example, the RTH6400 supports manual Heat/Off/Cool changeover and can also offer Auto changeover when enabled. Do not change installer settings just to select Heat.

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Set the temperature to call for heat

After selecting Heat, raise the setpoint above the displayed room temperature. If the target temperature is not higher than the room temperature, the thermostat may have no reason to call for heating. If your thermostat follows a schedule, check whether the schedule or a temporary hold is changing the target temperature.

How to identify your Honeywell model

Controls and available modes vary across Honeywell product families. On the PRO 1000, the manual says to pull the thermostat from the wallplate and turn it over to find the model number. The identification method may differ on other families; check the unit’s label, its manual, or Honeywell Home support. Match the manual to the full model number rather than relying on a similar-looking thermostat.

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Some models support heat pumps or emergency and auxiliary heat, while others do not. Use the mode labels shown for your thermostat and equipment; do not select an emergency or auxiliary heat option unless your model and heating system support it.

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When Auto changeover is different from Heat

Heat tells the thermostat to control heating. Auto, when available, lets the thermostat choose between heating and cooling based on indoor temperature and configured thresholds. Auto availability and setup are model-specific: the RTH6400 manual describes it as an optional changeover mode, and the RTH8500 guide documents a separate installer setting for enabling or disabling System Changeover. You generally do not need Auto or an installer setting to switch the thermostat to Heat.

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If the heating does not start

  1. Confirm the mode: Check that the display or switch shows Heat, not Cool or Off.
  2. Check the setpoint: Set the target temperature above the displayed room temperature.
  3. Check schedule behavior: If your model uses a schedule, see whether it is overriding your target or whether a temporary hold is active.
  4. Allow the thermostat time to respond: Follow any delay shown on the thermostat or described in its manual. Compressor-protection delays chiefly apply to cooling; do not repeatedly toggle settings to force a start.
  5. Consult the model manual: If the thermostat still does not call for heat, follow the manual’s troubleshooting steps. Seek qualified HVAC service if the equipment does not respond; changing installer configuration or opening wiring is not needed for a basic mode switch.
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Cooling safety note

Honeywell manuals warn against operating cooling when the outdoor temperature is below 50°F (10°C) because the compressor may be damaged. The warning appears in manuals for representative models, including the PRO TH4110B and PRO 1000; follow the warning and instructions in your own model’s manual. Some thermostats also impose a compressor-protection delay before cooling starts.

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Honeywell Home 7 Day Programmable Touchscreen Thermostat
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For added convenience, reminders to change air filters appear on the screen.; Learns your heating/cooling cycle times to deliver the right temperature when you want it.
$75.40
Bestseller No. 4
Honeywell Home RTH111B Digital Non-Programmable Thermostat
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$33.99
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Honeywell thermostatHVACthermostat heatingTroubleshooting

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