Honeywell Home RTH8560D 7 Day Programmable Touchscreen Thermostat

Why I chose this thermostat

I wanted a reliable, no‑Wi‑Fi programmable thermostat with a clear screen, flexible scheduling, and broad system compatibility. The RTH8560D fit that brief on paper, and after installing and living with it, it’s become exactly the kind of “set it and forget it” control I like: modern enough to be pleasant to use, simple enough to trust, and adaptable enough to handle a range of HVAC setups.

Design and display

The unit has a clean, square face with a cool blue backlight and large, legible numerals. It shows room temperature prominently and adds indoor humidity beneath—an underrated touch that helps explain why 68°F feels different from day to day. The touchscreen is responsive without being fussy. On battery power, the backlight wakes with a tap and times out to conserve energy; wired to a common (C) wire, it can stay lit at a selectable brightness. I appreciated being able to tweak contrast and choose between Fahrenheit/Celsius and 12/24‑hour time.

There’s no flashy color UI or animations, and that’s fine. The layout is uncluttered, and once you know where Schedule, Mode, and Menu live, you can navigate by muscle memory.

Installation and compatibility

Installation was straightforward. The wall plate mounts with two screws, the face snaps on and off cleanly, and the terminal block is clearly labeled. The RTH8560D will happily run on three AA batteries if you lack a C wire, or you can wire it to 24V with C for continuous power and an always‑on backlight. The day/time and program persist across power outages either way.

Compatibility is the standout. The thermostat supports:

• Single- and multistage heat/cool
• Heat pumps with or without auxiliary heat (O/B reversing valve supported)
• Conventional furnaces, boilers, steam/gravity systems
• 750 mV millivolt systems, including many gas fireplaces
• Cooling‑only or heating‑only setups

I tested it in a standard single‑stage gas furnace with central AC, then moved it to a heat‑pump system. In both cases, configuration was quick via the installer menu. For the heat pump, selecting system type and setting O/B polarity took a minute. Auto Changeover (automatic switching between heat and cool) worked as advertised in shoulder‑season swings.

Two install notes:
- The terminals are spring‑clip style rather than screw posts. They’re secure if you strip about 1/4 inch and fully seat the conductor, but they require a firm push. If you’re used to screws, take your time.
- This is not a line‑voltage thermostat; it’s for low‑voltage (24V or millivolt) control. Hydronic systems with line‑voltage zone valves or electric baseboard heaters need a different class of thermostat.

Scheduling and controls

Programming is flexible without being tedious. You can set a unique schedule for each day, do a simple weekday/weekend split, or apply one program across the week. Creating a schedule is linear: choose periods, set target temps, and save. Overriding is easy—tap the setpoint and it holds temporarily or permanently until you resume the program.

A few features worth calling out:
- Smart Response Learning: The thermostat learns your system’s cycle time and starts early so the space reaches your setpoint at the scheduled time. If I schedule 68°F at 6:30 a.m., it begins heating in advance to land on that number when I walk into the kitchen.
- Auto Changeover: When enabled, it flips between heat and cool as needed to maintain your programmed range—useful during spring and fall.
- Cycle rate control: You can set maximum cycles per hour for both heat and cool, which helps balance comfort and equipment wear.
- Screen lock: There’s a partial and full lockout option to prevent accidental changes (handy in rentals or high‑traffic spaces).
- Filter reminder: A configurable reminder pops up to prompt filter changes at intervals you choose.

In day‑to‑day use, the interface gets out of the way. The main screen shows mode, fan status, temperature, and humidity at a glance. The thermostat supports the usual temporary holds and quick mode changes without dragging you through menus.

Comfort and accuracy

Temperature control has been tight, with the unit holding setpoints within about half a degree in my space. Smart Response made the morning warm‑ups feel smoother because the room was at the right temperature at the scheduled time rather than starting to heat at that moment. With cycle rates dialed to match the system, I didn’t notice short‑cycling or overly long swings. The humidity reading aligned closely with a separate hygrometer, good enough for everyday awareness even if it’s not lab‑grade.

Auto Changeover behaved sensibly in variable weather, prioritizing stability over frequent flips. You can adjust deadbands to avoid mode ping‑pong if your climate rides the edge.

Power options and battery life

Running on batteries, the thermostat sips power. The backlight timeout helps, and the face pops off the plate easily when it’s time to swap cells. With a C wire connected, you get the convenience of an always‑on display and no concern about battery life, though I still keep batteries installed so the unit retains time and settings if I cut power to the furnace for maintenance.

Permanent day and time backup has been reliable. I power‑cycled the system several times during testing, and the schedule stayed intact.

What it doesn’t do

• No Wi‑Fi or app control. If you want geofencing, voice assistants, or off‑site monitoring, this isn’t the model.
• No remote room sensors. Balancing temperature in multi‑room spaces requires traditional zoning or strategic vent/airflow adjustments.
• No detailed energy analytics or viewable runtime logs. You’ll get filter reminders, but not a report of cumulative heating hours.
• The spring‑clip terminals won’t be everyone’s favorite. They work, but some folks prefer screw terminals for a tactile “locked in” feel.
• The backlight only stays on continuously with a C wire. On batteries, it’s tap‑to‑wake.

None of these are dealbreakers for a straightforward programmable thermostat, but they’re worth noting so you pick the right tool for the job.

Tips for setup and better performance

• Photograph your old thermostat wiring before removal, including the labels, and note whether you have a heat pump or conventional system.
• If you have unused conductors in the wall cable, consider connecting a C wire at the air handler/furnace for continuous power and an always‑on display.
• In the installer menu, set system type correctly (conventional vs heat pump) and verify O/B reversing valve operation if applicable.
• Tune cycle rates to your equipment: slower for hydronic/steam, faster for forced air, within manufacturer guidance.
• Use Smart Response, then give it a couple days to “learn” before judging timing accuracy.
• Set the filter reminder interval to match your filter type and environment.

Who it suits best

The RTH8560D is ideal for anyone who wants dependable, flexible scheduling without the overhead of a cloud account or smart‑home integrations. It’s particularly good for:
- Homeowners replacing aging digital or mercury thermostats
- Rentals and workshops where a simple, lockable interface is a plus
- Systems ranging from basic two‑wire heat to more complex multi‑stage or heat pump setups, including millivolt fireplaces

If your priority is remote control, automated occupancy features, or energy dashboards, you’ll be happier with a smart model elsewhere in Honeywell’s lineup or from another brand.

The bottom line

The RTH8560D strikes a thoughtful balance: a modern touchscreen interface and genuinely useful automation (Smart Response, Auto Changeover) without the distractions of Wi‑Fi. It installs easily, plays nicely with an unusually wide swath of HVAC systems, and keeps temperature right where you set it. The humidity readout, lockout options, and filter reminders are practical touches that add day‑to‑day value.

I’d recommend this thermostat. It’s a dependable, user‑friendly upgrade for most low‑voltage systems, especially if you value simple programming and broad compatibility over connected features. The only reasons I’d steer you elsewhere are if you need line‑voltage control, crave app‑based management and sensors, or want deep energy reporting. For everyone else, this Honeywell gets the fundamentals right and stays out of the way—exactly what a thermostat should do.