The RTH9580WF touchscreen, Wi-Fi thermostat for 24V systems, and it has two requirements that trip people up: it needs a C (common) wire for power, and it is configured through on-screen setup menus rather than a dial. The steps below follow the manual and cite its pages, and the full user guide PDF is linked here.
Download Honeywell RTH9580 Wi-Fi User Guide (PDF)
Table of Contents
- What the RTH9580WF Is
- Before You Install
- Wiring and the C-Wire
- System Setup and Wi-Fi
- Using the Thermostat
- Comfort Features
- Troubleshooting
- Specifications
- FAQ
What the RTH9580WF Is
The RTH9580WF is a Wi-Fi, color-touchscreen, programmable thermostat for residential or light-commercial use. From the guide’s overview:
- Touchscreen controls. HOME, FAN, SYSTEM and MENU are touch keys; a tap raises or lowers the setpoint and lets you place a temporary or permanent hold.
- Selectable schedule. Program schedules run two or four periods per day (you choose during setup), and the thermostat supports both home and business modes.
- Wi-Fi and app. It connects to your wireless network so you can set it up and adjust it remotely after registration.
- Runs on 24VAC. It fits forced-air, hydronic and heat-pump systems, and it requires a C wire for power.
Before You Install
- Confirm the RTH9580WF fits your system. It runs 24V systems such as forced air, hydronic, heat pump, oil, gas and electric; it will not work on millivolt systems such as a gas fireplace, or on 120/240V electric baseboard heat.
- You must have a C wire. The guide states the C (common) wire is the power source and, without it, the thermostat will not power up (p.11). If no C terminal is used on your old thermostat, review the alternate-wiring options before you proceed.
- Turn off power at the breaker or the system’s service switch.
- Photograph the existing wire connections before you disconnect anything; the guide asks you to keep this picture for wiring the new unit (p.9).
- Label each wire with its terminal letter using the supplied labels. Match by letter, not by wire color.
- If the old thermostat contains mercury in a sealed tube, do not bin it; the guide points to the Thermostat Recycling Corporation at thermostat-recycle.org.
Wiring and the C-Wire
Wire the new base by matching your labeled wires to the same-letter terminals, then check a few specific cases the guide calls out (pp.9–11):
- C. Connect the C (common) wire; it supplies the 24VAC power the Wi-Fi thermostat needs.
- R and Rc. If your old thermostat had both R and RH wires, connect R to the Rc terminal, RH to the R terminal, and unplug the jumper loop between R and Rc.
- Heat-pump O/B. If you have separate O and B wires, attach the B wire to the C terminal as the guide’s alternate-wiring note directs; confirm the changeover-valve type later in System Setup.
- Anything you do not use. Cap unused wires with the supplied labels or tape so they cannot touch.
The manufacturer’s own wiring video and the Special-wiring tables cover cases the short steps do not, so use them when your terminals look different.
System Setup and Wi-Fi
After power is restored, the on-screen setup screens tell the thermostat what it is controlling. Set the items on the System Setup screens to match your equipment: your system type, your thermostat controls (heat-only or heat and cool), your fan control, and, for heat pumps, the type of changeover valve (pp.65–66). Then set the date and time and start your program schedule.
For Wi-Fi, use the setup to join your wireless network and register the thermostat. The guide notes an enrollment code is created at registration so you can link the unit in the companion mobile app.
Using the Thermostat
- HOME / FAN / SYSTEM / MENU. The main touch keys for the screen, fan mode, system mode and options.
- System modes. Heat, Cool, Off, and on heat pumps an Emergency Heat option; choose a mode with SYSTEM.
- Auto changeover. For climates where you may need heating and cooling on the same day; enable it on the changeover screen under Advanced Preferences.
- Holds. Tap to change the temperature for a temporary hold until the next period, or set a permanent hold; a vacation hold is also provided.
- Schedules. Program four periods per day (wake, leave, return, sleep) for the weekday and weekend patterns.
Comfort Features
- Smart Response Technology (home mode) learns how long your system takes to reach a setpoint so it arrives on time.
- Compressor protection holds the compressor for about 5 minutes after a change; the screen shows “Wait” (p.59).
- Furnace filter reminder prompts you to change the filter on the interval you set.
- Equipment status screens show what the thermostat is calling for at a glance.
Troubleshooting
These are the guide’s own troubleshooting items (pp.71–72). Use them before assuming a fault.
| Problem | What the guide says to do |
|---|---|
| Display is blank | Reset the circuit breaker; confirm the system power switch is on and the furnace door is closed; make sure the C wire is connected. |
| Cannot change the system to Cool | Set the System Setup “Your thermostat controls” / “Your system type” to match your equipment. |
| Fan does not run when heating | Set the System Setup “Your fan control” to match your heating equipment. |
| “Wait” appears | Compressor protection is active. Wait 5 minutes for the system to restart. |
| Heat pump blows cool air in heat mode (or warm in cool mode) | Check the System Setup “Type of changeover valve” so it matches your heat pump. |
| Heating or cooling does not respond | Touch SYSTEM and set Heat (temperature above indoor) or Cool (below indoor); check breaker, power switch and furnace door; wait out the “Wait” delay. |
Specifications
- Type: Wi-Fi color-touchscreen programmable thermostat.
- Power: 24VAC; a C (common) wire is required.
- System fit: forced air, hydronic and heat pumps (24V); not for 120/240V electric baseboard.
- Modes: Heat, Cool, Off; Auto changeover; Emergency Heat on heat pumps.
- Schedule: four periods per day; home and business programs.
- Features: Smart Response, compressor protection, filter reminder, remote access after registration.
- Backup: a coin-cell battery keeps settings through outages.
- Warranty: limited (see the guide); for help use the Customer Assistance section (honeywell.com/yourhome).
FAQ
Does the RTH9580WF need a C wire?
Yes. The guide states the C wire is the power source and the thermostat will not power up without it. If you lack one, review the alternate-wiring options first.
Can I control it from my phone?
Yes. After you join a Wi-Fi network and register the thermostat, an enrollment code lets you link it in the companion app for remote adjustment.
Does it work with a heat pump?
Yes, single-stage heat pumps. You set the changeover-valve type in System Setup, and there is an Emergency Heat mode for heat pumps with auxiliary heat.
Why does the screen say “Wait”?
Compressor protection. The thermostat delays the compressor about 5 minutes after a change to prevent short-cycling (p.59).
How many programs does it run?
Four periods per day (wake, leave, return, sleep), with weekday and weekend patterns, in either a home or business schedule.






















