For years, my relationship with our old thermostat was a frustrating dance of manual adjustments. I’d crank up the heat on a chilly morning, only to forget and leave it blasting all day while the house was empty. In the summer, the air conditioner would run for hours after the sun went down, chilling an already comfortable home. It was a constant source of wasted energy and fluctuating comfort levels. The thought of coming home to a perfectly pre-cooled house or waking up to a gently warmed room felt like a distant luxury, reserved for those willing to spend hundreds on the latest, sleekest smart home gadgets. We wanted the convenience and savings of a smart thermostat without the hefty price tag. This search for an affordable, reliable, and remotely accessible solution is what led us to investigate a renewed, time-tested classic.
- ENERGY STAR CERTIFIED. Honeywell Home Wi-Fi thermostats are energy-efficient without sacrificing performance.
- SMART HOME INTEGRATION. The Wi-Fi 7-Day is compatible with voice assistant devices like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana, and more.
What to Consider Before Buying a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is more than just an item on the wall; it’s a key solution for taking control of your home’s climate, your energy consumption, and your wallet. By allowing you to set schedules based on your daily routines, these devices ensure you aren’t needlessly heating or cooling an empty house. The main benefits are twofold: significant potential savings on your utility bills and a consistently comfortable living environment tailored to your life. The addition of Wi-Fi connectivity, as seen in models like the one we’re reviewing today, elevates this convenience to a new level, allowing for adjustments from anywhere in the world via a smartphone app.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing inconsistent home temperatures, high energy costs, and the desire for modern, remote-control convenience. It’s perfect for the homeowner who is comfortable with a bit of DIY installation and wants to integrate their HVAC system into their smart home ecosystem with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. However, it might not be suitable for those who live in homes with incompatible HVAC systems, specifically electric baseboard heat (120-240V). Furthermore, individuals who are not comfortable with basic wiring or troubleshooting app connectivity may prefer a non-Wi-Fi programmable model or a professionally installed system.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- System Compatibility & C-Wire: This is the most critical factor. Before you even add a smart thermostat to your cart, you must confirm your HVAC system is compatible. The Amazon Renewed Honeywell Home RENEWRTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat works with most common systems (forced air, hot water, heat pumps) but requires a “C-wire” or common wire to provide continuous power. Check your existing thermostat’s wiring; if you don’t have a C-wire, you’ll need to run one or use a C-wire adapter, adding a step to the installation.
- Programming & Scheduling Flexibility: Consider how your week looks. A 7-day programmable thermostat, like this Honeywell model, offers the most flexibility, allowing you to set a unique schedule for each day of the week. Other models might offer 5-2 day (weekday/weekend) or 5-1-1 day (weekday/Saturday/Sunday) schedules. The RTH6580WF offers four programmable periods per day (Wake, Leave, Return, Sleep), which is ample for most households.
- Connectivity & Smart Features: The core appeal of a Wi-Fi thermostat is remote control. Evaluate the companion app’s reputation and features. Does it allow for easy scheduling and temperature changes? Does it integrate with the smart home assistants you already use? This model’s compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, and others makes it a versatile hub for climate control.
- The “Renewed” Factor: Buying a renewed product can offer fantastic savings, but it comes with a caveat. The condition can vary. While all units are tested and functional, they may have cosmetic blemishes, arrive in non-retail packaging, or occasionally be missing non-essential accessories like a paper manual. It’s a trade-off between price and the pristine out-of-the-box experience of a brand-new item.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Amazon Renewed Honeywell Home RENEWRTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat stands out in several areas, especially for those who confirm C-wire compatibility beforehand. You can explore its detailed specifications and current pricing here.
While the Amazon Renewed Honeywell Home RENEWRTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at smart home automation and the joy of programming devices to suit your needs, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
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First Impressions: A Familiar Face with a Smart Twist
Unboxing the Amazon Renewed Honeywell Home RENEWRTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat was an exercise in managing expectations. Given its “renewed” status, we weren’t anticipating a pristine, shrink-wrapped experience. Our unit arrived in a simple cardboard box, securely packaged. The thermostat itself had a few minor fingerprint smudges, which wiped away easily, but otherwise looked practically new. The backplate, mounting hardware, and installation guide were all present. We’ve seen feedback from other users that highlights the variability of the renewed process; some receive units that are indistinguishable from new, while others report more obvious signs of use or even missing terminal screws. This is the gamble of buying renewed, but for us, it paid off.
The design is classic Honeywell: a functional, rectangular white plastic body with a large, backlit LCD screen. It doesn’t have the futuristic, circular glass aesthetic of a Nest, but it’s unassuming and blends in with most wall decors. It feels solid and well-built. The tactile buttons on the side of the screen are responsive and provide a satisfying click. It’s a familiar, no-nonsense design that prioritizes function over form, which for a utility device like this, is a sensible approach.
Key Benefits
- Excellent value for a full-featured Wi-Fi thermostat
- Flexible 7-day programming with four periods per day
- Broad compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, and other smart platforms
- Reliable remote access via the Total Connect Comfort app
Potential Drawbacks
- “Renewed” condition can be inconsistent between units
- Requires a C-wire for power, which may complicate installation
- No battery backup, causing settings to be lost on power failure
A Deep Dive into the Honeywell RENEWRTH6580WF’s Performance
A thermostat’s true worth is proven over weeks of use, through changing weather and hectic schedules. We put the Amazon Renewed Honeywell Home RENEWRTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat through its paces, focusing on the three areas that matter most: the installation process, the connectivity and app experience, and its day-to-day smart functionality.
Installation and Setup: The C-Wire Conundrum
The installation process is where this thermostat will either be a 30-minute breeze or a multi-hour project, and it all comes down to one thing: the C-wire. Before starting, we killed the power to our HVAC system at the breaker. Upon removing our old thermostat, we were relieved to find a five-wire setup that included the crucial blue C-wire. For us, this made the process incredibly straightforward. We screwed the new backplate to the wall, connected the color-coded wires to the clearly labeled terminals (R, C, W, Y, G), and snapped the thermostat faceplate on. All in, the physical installation took less than 20 minutes.
We recognize our experience is the best-case scenario. As many users have noted, a lack of a C-wire is a common roadblock. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to purchase and install a C-wire adapter or transformer, which adds complexity and cost. This is not a fault of the thermostat itself—most Wi-Fi models require it for continuous power—but it is the single most important pre-purchase check you must perform. We also noted user reports of receiving renewed units with missing terminal screws on the C or R terminals, which would render the unit useless. Our advice is to inspect the backplate thoroughly upon arrival to ensure all components are present before you begin the installation.
One final installation tip, gleaned from our own experience and echoed by others: if the small MAC ID card is missing from your box, don’t panic. All the necessary information (MAC ID and MAC CRC) is printed on a sticker on the back of the thermostat unit itself. Just be sure to take a picture of it with your phone *before* you snap it onto the wall plate.
Wi-Fi Connectivity & App Experience: Patience is a Virtue
With the thermostat powered on, the screen immediately displayed “Wi-Fi Setup.” This is the second hurdle where some users report frustration. The process requires you to connect your phone or computer to the thermostat’s temporary Wi-Fi network (named “NewThermostat_…”) to then connect it to your home’s network. Our first attempt failed without a clear reason. On the second try, we followed the on-screen prompts more slowly and deliberately, and it connected successfully. The key seems to be patience. The thermostat’s internal Wi-Fi chip isn’t the fastest, and rushing through the steps can cause it to hang.
Once connected to our home Wi-Fi, the next step was to register the device on the Honeywell Total Connect Comfort (TCC) website and download the app. Here again, we encountered what others have described as a somewhat dated interface. The website isn’t as slick as more modern competitors, and the app, while functional, can feel a bit sluggish at times. However, we did notice that after an initial period, the app seemed to update or stabilize, and its performance became much more consistent. One user mentioned their app “updated itself a few times and then it actually became much easier to use,” and our experience mirrored this.
Despite the initial clunkiness, the app delivers on its core promise. We could easily view the current temperature and humidity, change the set point, switch between heat/cool/auto modes, and adjust the schedule from anywhere. For those managing multiple properties, the ability to control several thermostats from a single app is a fantastic feature, as one landlord user confirmed. The remote access is reliable, with changes made on the phone reflecting on the thermostat within seconds.
Smart Features & Daily Performance: The Brains of the Operation
This is where the Amazon Renewed Honeywell Home RENEWRTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat truly shines, especially for its price. The 7-day programmability is robust. We set a different schedule for weekdays (warming the house before we wake, saving energy while we’re at work, and making it comfortable for our return) and a more relaxed one for the weekend. The ability to make a temporary hold (e.g., turning the AC down for a few hours) or a permanent hold (for a vacation) is simple both on the unit and in the app.
Integrating it with our smart home was seamless. Adding the Honeywell TCC skill in the Alexa app immediately discovered the thermostat. Voice commands like, “Alexa, set the thermostat to 72 degrees,” worked flawlessly. This level of integration is what elevates a simple programmable thermostat into a true smart home device, and it performed just as well as models costing twice as much.
However, there is one significant design choice that we found to be a major drawback: the lack of any battery backup. Unlike many older Honeywell models, this unit relies solely on the C-wire for power. If your power flickers for even a few minutes, the thermostat completely loses its date and time settings. While it retains the schedule, it has no idea what day it is, rendering the programming useless until you manually reset the clock. In an age of internet connectivity, we found it baffling that the thermostat doesn’t automatically sync its time from the internet upon reconnecting. This was a clear downgrade for one user coming from an older FocusPRO model, and we wholeheartedly agree. It’s a baffling omission in an otherwise “smart” device.
What Other Users Are Saying
Diving into feedback from other homeowners reveals a consistent narrative. The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive when the installation goes smoothly. One user, who specifically wanted to add Wi-Fi to a basic system affordably, reported being “mounted and setup in about 30 mins,” calling it “pretty much plug n play” for their system. They praised its easy integration with Home Assistant, giving them “total control” for automations. Another, who manages five different properties, called them “awesome” for monitoring and controlling temperatures from anywhere.
However, the negative feedback almost exclusively centers on two pain points: installation complications and the inconsistent quality of renewed units. One user detailed a “nightmare” experience with two units, one of which had its crucial Wi-Fi ID sticker peeled off, making it impossible to register. Another received a unit with missing terminal screws, rendering it defective on arrival. The C-wire requirement is a recurring theme, with one review succinctly stating, “Nothing about wiring this thermostat was simple… unless you consider rewiring your entire HVAC system ‘simple.'” These experiences underscore the importance of checking your wiring beforehand and inspecting the renewed unit carefully upon receipt.
How Does It Compare to the Alternatives?
While the Amazon Renewed Honeywell Home RENEWRTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat offers incredible value, it exists in a crowded market. Here’s how it stacks up against some other popular options.
1. Honeywell T4 Pro Programmable Thermostat
- Country Of Origin: United States
- Model Number: TH4110U2005/U
The Honeywell T4 Pro is essentially the non-Wi-Fi cousin of the model we reviewed. It offers similar scheduling capabilities (7-day, 5-1-1, or 5-2 day programming) and the familiar, user-friendly Honeywell interface. This is the perfect alternative for someone who wants the energy savings of a set-it-and-forget-it schedule but has no desire for remote app control or voice assistant integration. If you are concerned about connecting home devices to the internet or simply want a simpler, more affordable, and reliable programmable thermostat without the potential Wi-Fi setup headaches, the T4 Pro is an outstanding choice.
2. Honeywell Home CT410B Manual Thermostat
- This thermostat is a non-programmable line voltage manual control (120-240 Volts)
- Compatible with electric baseboards, convectors and non-inductive rated fan-forced heaters
This model represents a completely different category of thermostat. The CT410B is a manual, line-voltage thermostat designed specifically for electric baseboard and resistive-fan forced heaters (120-240V). It is incompatible with the low-voltage systems the RTH6580WF controls. This is the go-to option for users with electric baseboard heating who need a simple, reliable, and durable replacement. There are no programs, no screens, and no Wi-Fi—just a simple dial to control the heat. If your system is line-voltage, this is the type of thermostat you need, and the RTH6580WF will not work.
3. Cadet F Series BTF2W Double Pole Thermostat
- RANGE: This thermostat has a temperature range: 45º - 80ºF (7ºC to 27ºC) with an easy to use large, adjusting twist dial
- COMPATIBLE: This thermostat has been made for Cadet F series electric baseboard heaters only (sold separately)
Similar to the Honeywell CT410B, the Cadet BTF2W is another line-voltage thermostat designed for baseboard heaters. Its key distinguishing feature is that it is a “double pole” thermostat. This means it has a true “off” position that breaks the connection to both sides of the electrical circuit, offering an enhanced level of safety. For workshops, garages, or any area where you want to be absolutely certain the heater is fully disconnected from power, this double-pole model is the superior choice. It’s built for durability and safety in high-wattage applications where our main review subject is simply not compatible.
The Final Verdict: A Smart Investment for the Savvy DIYer
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Amazon Renewed Honeywell Home RENEWRTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat is a fantastic product for a specific type of user. If you are on a budget, have confirmed your HVAC system has a C-wire, and are comfortable with the potential for minor troubleshooting during setup, this thermostat offers unbeatable value. It delivers the core functionality of premium smart thermostats—remote app control, flexible scheduling, and voice assistant integration—at a fraction of the cost.
However, it is not for everyone. The lack of a battery backup is a significant flaw, and the “renewed” lottery means you might not get a cosmetically perfect unit. But if you can look past these issues, you are rewarded with a reliable, energy-saving device that brings your home’s climate control into the 21st century. It’s a powerful tool for anyone looking to trim their energy bills and add a layer of modern convenience to their life.
If you’ve decided the Amazon Renewed Honeywell Home RENEWRTH6580WF Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat is the right fit, you can check its current price and availability here.
Last update on 2025-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API