Honeywell Thermostat Heat on Blinking

Honeywell is a well-known thermostat maker. They’re trustworthy and durable. Furthermore, Honeywell’s technology is always evolving, resulting in new functionality for your home. But sometimes a thermostat can experience some issues such as heat on blinking. Here we try to troubleshoot this problem and why this heat on blinking happened will be discussed in detail.

So Why Honeywell Thermostat Heat on Blinking?

At Normal Situation:

“Cool On” or “Heat On” is Blinking

When the “Heat On” light blinks on a Honeywell thermostat, it typically indicates that the thermostat is in a delay mode. This is a safety feature built into many thermostats. Here are a few key points to understand about this feature:

1. Delay Period: The blinking usually occurs for a delay period, which is often about five minutes. This delay helps protect the HVAC system from short cycling.

2. Short Cycling Prevention: Short cycling is when the heating or cooling system turns on and off too frequently, which can cause excessive wear and tear on the system. The delay prevents this by ensuring that the system doesn’t start up again too soon after shutting off.

3. Normal Operation: Once the delay period is over, the light should stop blinking, and the heating system will start or resume operation. This is a normal part of the thermostat’s operation and usually doesn’t indicate a malfunction.

Abnormal Situations:

Continuous Blinking:

However, if the “Heat On” message continues to blink beyond the standard delay period, it could indicate an underlying issue. Potential causes might include a malfunctioning control board, incorrect positioning of the furnace’s pressure switches, or even a clogged air filter.

It could be that the control board is blinking heat on while requesting heat, causing the inducer motor to switch on while the pressure is being checked by the control board. The heat light may be flashing because the thermostat indicates that heat is required but the furnace’s pressure switches are locked in the incorrect position, preventing the furnace from turning on.

Check to see whether the thermostat is set to heat and if the “Heat On” button is flashing. A safety timer has been tripped to safeguard the compressor in your thermostat. Your thermostat should be able to keep its heat setting once this stops flashing.

Sometime when you set the heat on it blinks and then stop but the heating is not on, in that case there are other reasons against that issue and have to be dealt separately. 

What are the other Reasons for Honeywell Heat on Blinking?

• Power outage
• Switching from cooling to heating
• Battery replacement
• Low battery

Power outage

A power loss is one of the most prevalent reasons of Honeywell thermostat blinking heat on. When there is no electricity, your Honeywell thermostat may begin to flash after the compressor runs when the power is restored. The pressure on the compressor creates flashing during the restarting operation.

Switching from cooling to heating

The compressor may be put under stress while switching from cooling to heating. Your Honeywell thermostat will flicker as a consequence. When you move from heating to cooling, the same thing happens.

Battery replacement

When you replace your batteries, the Cool On display will flash for a time. If your thermostat flashing heat on problem persists, contact a professional technician to fix the thermostat in case there is a more serious problem.

Low battery

When your thermostat’s battery is low, it may begin to flicker. However, this is more common with earlier models. A distinct indication for a low battery is available on some of the most recent Honeywell thermostats.

Actionable Steps for Troubleshooting Honeywell Thermostat “Heat On” Blinking

Scenario 1: Normal Delay Mode

1. Wait for the Delay: If the “Heat On” light is blinking, wait approximately 5 minutes. This is a standard delay for protection against short cycling.
2. Check Operation Post-Delay: After 5 minutes, the light should stop blinking, and the heating should start. If it does, no further action is needed.

Scenario 2: Continuous Blinking Beyond Normal Delay

1. Inspect Thermostat Settings: Ensure the thermostat is set to the correct heating mode.
2. Check for Error Messages: Look for any error codes or messages displayed on the thermostat.
3. Reset the Thermostat:
   • Turn off the thermostat.
   • Wait for 15-20 seconds.
   • Turn it back on.
   • Wait up to 10 minutes for the system to restart.
4. Evaluate the System Post-Reset: If the heating system does not start, proceed to call a professional.

Scenario 3: Blinking After Power Outage or Mode Change

1. Allow Compressor Time: After a power outage or switching from cooling to heating, give the system a few minutes to stabilize.
2. Reset if Necessary: If the blinking continues, follow the reset steps outlined in Scenario 2.

Scenario 4: Blinking After Battery Replacement or Due to Low Battery

1. For Battery Replacement: Wait a few minutes post-replacement for the system to recalibrate.
2. For Low Battery: Replace the batteries if the thermostat model uses them.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

1. Check Circuit Breakers: Ensure that all related circuit breakers are in the correct position.
2. Inspect HVAC System: Look for any visible issues with the HVAC system, such as blocked vents or unusual noises.
3. Refer to User Manual: Consult the thermostat’s user manual for model-specific troubleshooting steps.
4. Contact Honeywell Support: If the issue persists, contact Honeywell customer support for guidance.

Scenario 5: Specific Model Issues (e.g., Honeywell Pro Series)

1. Consult Model-Specific Manual: Refer to the specific manual for your Honeywell thermostat model for detailed troubleshooting.
2. Follow Error Code Guidance: If your model displays specific error codes, follow the recommended actions for each code.

Note: Most of the time resetting the thermostat fix the problem of thermostat blinking heat on, it applies to all Honeywell thermostat model inlcuding the Honeywell pro-series thermostats. 

More:

Pro Series Thermostat Troubleshooting

Honeywell Home Security Systems Do It Yourself

T5 Wi-Fi Honeywell Error Codes

• 164—Heat pump needs service. Call TML Service Experts at 208-488-4892 for assistance.
• 168—Wi-Fi radio error. Call Lyric technical support at 800-633-3991. 170—Internal memory error. Call Lyric technical support at 800-633-3991.
• 171—Set date and time. Finalize these settings so scheduling can occur.
• 173—Thermostat temperature sensor error. Contact Lyric technical support at 800-633-3991.
• 175—AC power restarted. No action needed.
• 181/182—Replace air filter. Clear the screen by touching “dismiss” after adding a new filter.
• 184—Put in a new humidifier pad. Clear the monitor by hitting “dismiss” after adding a fresh pad filter.
• 185—Put in a new dehumidifier filter. Clear the thermostat by hitting “dismiss” after adding a clean filter.
• 187—Wash or install a new ventilator filter. Clear the thermostat by hitting “dismiss” after putting in a fresh filter.
• 188/189—Get a new UV bulb. Call TML Service Experts at 208-488-4892 for help.
• 210—Register online for outside temperature. Download the Lyric app to do this step and ensure correct thermostat operation.
• 388—Register online for remote access and outside temperature. Use the Lyric app to do this step and ensure accurate thermostat operation.
• 399—No Internet. Confirm your network settings.
• 400—No Wi-Fi signal. Wait for the thermostat to reconnect or pick new Wi-Fi network.
• 508—Wi-Fi not set. Use the Lyric app and follow the process to link your thermostat.

 T6 Pro Smart Programmable Thermostat 

• 164—Heat pump requires service. Contact TML Service Experts at 208-488-4892 for help.
• 168—Wi-Fi radio error. Call TML Service Experts at 208-488-4892 for support.
• 170—Internal memory error. Contact TML Service Experts at 208-488-4892 for assistance.
• 171—Set date and time. Finalize these settings so scheduling can work.
• 173—Thermostat temperature sensor error. Reach TML Service Experts at 208-488-4892 for help.
• 175—AC power reconnected. No action required.
• 177—Indoor temperature sensor error. Reach TML Service Experts at 208-488-4892 for support.
• 178—Outdoor temperature sensor error. Call TML Service Experts at 208-488-4892 for support.
• 181/182—Replace air filter. Clear the display by tapping “dismiss” after installing a clean filter.
• 183—Clean humidifier tank and add a new water filter. Clear the thermostat by touching “dismiss” after doing these tasks.
• 184—Install a new humidifier pad. Clear the thermostat by touching “dismiss” after installing pad filter.
• 185—Get a new dehumidifier filter. Clear the thermostat by tapping “dismiss” after adding a new filter.
• 186—Clean ventilator core. Clear the monitor by hitting “dismiss” after doing this task.
• 187—Rinse or get a new ventilator filter. Clear the display by tapping “dismiss” after buying a new filter.
• 188/189—Get a new UV bulb. Get in touch with TML Service Experts at 208-488-4892 for support.
• 210—Register online for exterior temperature. Download the Lyric app to complete this step and ensure accurate thermostat operation.
• 388—Register online for remote access and outside temperature. Get the Lyric app to do this step and ensure proper thermostat operation.
• 399—No Internet. Check your network settings.
• 400—No Wi-Fi signal. Wait for the thermostat to reconnect or select new Wi-Fi network.
• 508—Wi-Fi not configured. Download the Lyric app and follow the process to connect your thermostat.

For more details, see this thermostat’s user manual.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is my Thermostat flashing heat on but no heat?

Honeywell thermostat no heat option

1. At the bottom of the screen, select the menu (three small horizontal lines)
2. Go down the page and select “Advanced Setup.”
3. By choosing “Modify Configuration,“
4. When you get to “Equipment Type,” click through the steps until you find the appropriate heating option for your system (Conventional Forced Air Heat in my case)
5. To return to the main menu, choose the efficiency or subtype that corresponds to your system and click “Done.”
   That ought to do it. The Hot and Auto choices must now be accessible after clicking Mode.

How long does it take for Honeywell thermostat to heat up?

Call for heat by setting the mode to “Heat” and the set-point at a minimum of 2 degrees above the temperature being shown. Watch for the “Heat On,” “Fire,” or “Sun” icons to appear. If the message or icon is flashing, the heating process may take up to three minutes to start.

There are several reasons why the word “HEAT” might be blinking on your thermostat:

1. System is heating: This is the most likely reason. When your thermostat is trying to turn on the heating system to reach your desired temperature, it will often display “HEAT” blinking until the temperature is reached.

2. System malfunction: A blinking “HEAT” could also indicate a problem with your heating system. This could be anything from a faulty furnace to a problem with the wiring.

3. Low battery: Some thermostats use a blinking “HEAT” to indicate the batteries are low and need to be replaced.

4. Programming issue: If you’ve recently changed the settings on your thermostat, it’s possible that the “HEAT” is blinking because of a programming error.

Conclusion:

Now you clearly understand what does it mean when heat on flashes on thermostat, it only indicating the heater is about to start once the heat symbol flashing stop, it means your heater is getting ready to heat you up.  However the problem arises when the thermostat keeps blinking or flashing stop but the heater is not on. 

About The Author

Hassan Zaka

I am an expert in accounting and possess diverse experience in technical writing. I have written for various industries on topics such as finance, business, and technology. My writing style is clear and simple, and I utilize infographics and diagrams to make my writing more engaging. I can be a valuable asset to any organization in need of technical writing services.

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