Honeywell Home New! Honeywell Home Non-Programmable Thermostat, Single-Stage, 1 Heat/1 Cool Compatibility, X1N, White

Why I picked a simple thermostat—and where the RTH11B fits

I wanted a thermostat I could set and forget—no apps, no Wi‑Fi logins, no “learning” guesses about my routine. Just reliable heat and cool in a single‑stage system with straightforward controls that anyone in the house could use. Honeywell’s RTH11B non‑programmable thermostat delivered exactly that, with a couple of thoughtful extras that keep it from feeling bare-bones.

Installation: quick, clean, and future-proof

Installation was refreshingly easy. The RTH11B uses Honeywell’s UWP wall plate, which simplifies both wiring and alignment. After shutting off HVAC power, I labeled the existing 1 heat/1 cool wires (R, W, Y, G, and optionally C), transferred them to the matching terminals, mounted the plate, dropped in two AA batteries, and snapped the thermostat on. Total time: about 20–30 minutes including cleanup.

A few practical notes from the install:

• Battery-powered means no common wire required. That’s great for older systems where pulling a C-wire would be a hassle.
• If you’re covering a large opening or an electrical box behind the old thermostat, plan on using the matching trim plate. The UWP plate is compact and won’t hide everything by itself.
• Initial configuration is a quick menu where you select system type (forced air, hydronic, etc.) and a couple of behavior options. It’s not difficult, but the codes are terse; keep the manual handy the first time you set it up.

If you’re upgrading from a previous Honeywell that already uses the UWP plate (like the RTH5160), you’ll appreciate that swapping to the RTH11B is largely a slide-off, slide-on affair. It’s also nice to know that the UWP plate supports future Honeywell upgrades if you decide to go smarter later.

Everyday use: clear, bright, and no surprises

The RTH11B’s interface is simple: big, high-contrast temperature readout, dedicated up/down buttons, and a backlight that makes the screen readable at a glance across a room. The font is large and clean, and the backlight brightness is well-judged—bright enough to see, not harsh at night. You can tweak display behavior in settings to suit your preference.

There’s no scheduling, no occupancy detection, no learning. You set a temperature, and it holds it until you change it. I find that refreshing, and for spaces where routines vary or multiple people interact with the thermostat (family members, guests, renters), it removes a lot of confusion. The change-filter reminder is a nice touch for maintenance: you set an interval and it’ll nudge you when it’s time to swap the HVAC filter. It’s time-based, not usage-based, but that’s more than most no-frills thermostats offer.

One standout spec is the 32°F low-heat setpoint. Many basic thermostats bottom out around 40–45°F, so being able to go lower can be useful for garages and seldom-used spaces where you simply want to keep things above freezing. As always, consider pipe locations and building insulation before relying on such a low setpoint in a home with water lines.

Performance and accuracy

In daily use on a single-stage gas forced-air system, the RTH11B was steady and predictable. Heating and cooling cycles engaged smoothly, and the system didn’t short cycle. Temperature readings were consistently within about 0.5°F of a reference thermometer in the same room. The thermostat’s control logic felt appropriately conservative: no overshooting, and no long swings that make rooms feel stuffy or chilly.

Fan control behaved as expected, and the thermostat handled fan call on cooling and heat appropriately for my setup. If you’re on electric heat or hydronic, the configuration menu lets you set the right control mode so the fan isn’t called during heat unless your system requires it.

Because it’s battery powered, the thermostat keeps right on running during a power outage as long as your heating equipment can operate. That can be reassuring in places with blips in service. There’s a low-battery indicator, and replacing the AA cells takes seconds. Most households will see a year or more on a pair of quality alkaline batteries.

Compatibility: know your system before you buy

This is strictly a single-stage thermostat: 1 heat/1 cool. It’s compatible with:

• Forced air systems (gas, oil, or electric)
• Hot water heat/hydronic systems
• 750 mV millivolt systems (older standing-pilot heaters, certain wall/floor furnaces)

It is not compatible with electric baseboard heat (120–240V line-voltage systems) and is not the right choice for heat pumps, multi-stage furnaces, or more complex zoned setups where advanced controls are required. If you’re unsure what you have, take a photo of your current thermostat’s wiring and model label before shopping.

What it is not—and why that might be a feature

The RTH11B has no Wi‑Fi, no app, no remote sensors, no geofencing, no learning algorithms, and no energy reports. If you want per-room temperature averaging, automatic away modes, or integration with smart home platforms, you’ll be happier with a connected thermostat.

But that simplicity is also its strength. Fewer features mean fewer menus to misconfigure and fewer points of failure. If the goal is reliable temperature control that anyone can understand—and you don’t want to manage another device in an app—this thermostat has a pleasing clarity that smart models can’t match.

Quibbles and small misses

• The configuration menu uses numeric codes. It’s a one-time setup, but expect to consult the manual the first go-around, especially if your system isn’t a plain-vanilla forced air.
• Batteries aren’t included. Minor, but worth noting so you’re ready on installation day.
• The 1-year warranty is modest. It’s common at this price tier but shorter than some competitors.
• The backlight is momentary and doesn’t stay on continuously. That’s normal for this class but surprises some folks switching from always-on displays.

None of these are dealbreakers; they’re the tradeoffs that come with a simple, battery-powered thermostat.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners with basic 1H/1C systems who value reliability over features
• Rentals, guest spaces, and vacation properties where simplicity matters
• Older homes without a C-wire run
• Garages and utility spaces where the low-heat setpoint can be useful
• Anyone replacing a previous Honeywell on a UWP plate who wants a quick swap

If you’re trying to wring every last percentage point of energy savings with aggressive scheduling and occupancy detection, a smart thermostat with remote sensors and geofencing will outperform a setpoint-only device. But be realistic: in homes where schedules are unpredictable or multiple people change settings, smart features can be counterproductive.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Straightforward install on the UWP plate; no C-wire required
- Large, legible, backlit display with simple controls
- Accurate temperature readings and steady cycling
- Change-filter reminders and basic display customization
- Works with 750 mV, hydronic, and forced air single-stage systems
- Very low 32°F heat setpoint for seldom-used spaces

Cons:
- No scheduling or smart features (by design)
- Numeric configuration menu can be opaque without the manual
- 1-year warranty
- Requires a trim plate for large wall openings (sold separately)
- Batteries not included

Bottom line

The RTH11B is a refreshingly competent basic thermostat. It installs fast, reads accurately, and controls a single-stage system without fuss. The backlit display is genuinely easy to live with, the filter reminder is a thoughtful nod to maintenance, and the UWP plate keeps upgrade paths open. You give up scheduling and connectivity, but you gain clarity, reliability, and a device anyone can walk up to and use confidently.

Recommendation: I recommend this thermostat for single-stage systems where simplicity, reliability, and easy installation are the priority. It’s a particularly good fit for rentals, guest spaces, older homes without a C-wire, and homeowners who want zero-app, zero-learning predictability. If you need advanced automation, remote sensors, or data-driven savings, look to a smart thermostat instead.