Hold vs permanent hold on a Honeywell thermostat
On a Honeywell Home thermostat, a temporary hold keeps your setpoint only for a while, usually until the next scheduled period starts, and then the schedule resumes. A permanent hold keeps it until you change it or cancel the hold. The cancel label depends on the model: "Cancel", "RUN SCHEDULE", "Remove hold" or "CANCEL (or SCHED)".
What is the difference between a temporary hold and a permanent hold?
Both replace the temperature in your schedule with one you chose. The difference is when they let go.
A temporary hold is what you get when you simply change the temperature while a schedule is running. On the T4 Pro and T6 Pro, the manuals say "The new setpoint temperature will be held until the next scheduled time period begins." When that period starts, the schedule is back in charge and you do not have to do anything.
A permanent hold has no end time. The FocusPRO 6000 guide says the temperature you set will be maintained 24 hours a day until you manually change it or cancel the hold. The VisionPRO TH8000 manual is more direct: pressing HOLD for a permanent hold "will turn off the program schedule."
| Temporary hold | Permanent hold | |
|---|---|---|
| How it starts | Changing the temperature while a schedule runs | An extra step after the change, or a HOLD button, depending on the model |
| When it ends | At the next schedule period, or at a time you pick on some models | Only when you change the temperature or cancel the hold |
| The schedule | Paused, then resumes by itself | Ignored until you cancel the hold |
| Good for | A change you only want for part of the day | A temperature you want to keep for days |
How do holds work on the T4 Pro and T6 Pro?
These two families share the same steps. The manuals cover the T4 Pro TH4110U2005 and TH4210U2002, and the T6 Pro TH6320U2008, TH6220U2000 and TH6210U2001.
Press + or - to change the temperature while the schedule is running. The screen shows "TEMPORARY HOLD" and the setpoint flashes. While it is still flashing, press the Hold (Mode) button to change it to a permanent hold. If you miss the flashing window, you are left with a temporary hold that ends at the next period.
To end either type, press + or -, then press "Cancel". Honeywell uses the same wording for cancelling a temporary hold and a permanent hold, and the thermostat goes back to following the schedule.
How do the T5, T6 Pro Wi-Fi and T9 handle holds?
Honeywell Home's feature page for the T5, T5+ and T6 Pro Wi-Fi says "2 types of Holds are available, Temporary and Permanent." When you change the temperature, the screen shows "HOLD UNTIL" next to the time the next schedule period starts. You can touch that time and use + or - to move it. Touch the "HOLD UNTIL" message itself and two choices appear: "PERMANENT HOLD" and "RUN SCHEDULE".
The T9 Smart Thermostat works the same way with different words. If scheduling is enabled, "Hold until" and a time appear at the bottom of the screen after you change the temperature. Touch it to see four options:
- "Next Period": a temporary hold that ends when the next schedule period starts.
- "A Specific Time": a temporary hold that ends when you choose.
- "Permanently": a permanent hold.
- "Remove hold": back to the schedule.
How do VisionPRO and FocusPRO thermostats handle holds?
On the VisionPRO TH8000, a temporary hold shows "Hold Temperature Until". The manual says the new temperature is kept only until the time you set, and that pressing CANCEL (or SCHED) cancels it. For a permanent hold, press HOLD. That turns off the program schedule, and the temperature is kept around the clock until you change it or press CANCEL (or SCHED).
The VisionPRO also has a third kind, a vacation hold: press HOLD twice, then press ▲ or ▼ to choose the number of days. Our page on vacation hold explains how that differs from a permanent hold.
On the FocusPRO 6000, the HOLD button sets a permanent hold. Both a temporary hold and a permanent hold are cancelled with "RUN SCHEDULE".
Which button ends a hold on each model?
| Thermostat | Temporary hold | Make it permanent | Back to the schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| T4 Pro, T6 Pro | Press + or -; "TEMPORARY HOLD" shows | Press Hold (Mode) while the setpoint flashes | Press + or -, then "Cancel" |
| T5, T5+, T6 Pro Wi-Fi | Change the temperature; "HOLD UNTIL" and a time show | Touch "HOLD UNTIL", then "PERMANENT HOLD" | "RUN SCHEDULE" |
| T9 | Touch "Hold until", then "Next Period" or "A Specific Time" | "Permanently" | "Remove hold" |
| VisionPRO TH8000 | "Hold Temperature Until" | Press HOLD | "CANCEL" (or "SCHED") |
| FocusPRO 6000 | Not stated | Press HOLD | "RUN SCHEDULE" |
None of these manuals uses the label "Use Schedule". If instructions written for another brand tell you to press it, look for the label in the last column instead.
When should you use a temporary hold?
Use it when you want a different temperature for a while and are happy for the schedule to take over later, such as a warmer room for one evening. Because the hold ends at the next schedule period, there is nothing to undo. On the T5, T6 Pro Wi-Fi and T9 you can also set the end time yourself, which helps when the next period is many hours away.
If your thermostat seems to drop your change on its own, a temporary hold reaching the next period is the usual reason. Our page on a thermostat that keeps returning to its schedule covers that, and schedule periods explains where those boundaries come from.
When should you use a permanent hold?
Use it when you want one temperature to stay put for days and do not want the schedule to move it, for example while your routine is irregular. The catch is that it never ends on its own. A permanent hold left on by mistake is one of the reasons a thermostat stops following its schedule.
Why is permanent hold missing on your thermostat?
On the T5, T5+ and T6 Pro Wi-Fi, Honeywell Home says permanent hold is disabled when geofencing is enabled. Temporary holds still work. If you rely on permanent holds, check whether geofencing is turned on in the app.
What if you never want the schedule at all?
A permanent hold is not the only way to stop the schedule. On the T4 Pro and T6 Pro you can turn the schedule off from the user menu: Menu, then PROG, then choose OFF.
There is also an installer setting, ISU 120 Scheduling Options. Its choices are 0 (Non-Programmable), 2 (5-2), 3 (5-1-1) and 4 (7-Day), and the factory default is 3. Honeywell's support page says "ISU 120 needs to be set to 0 to disable the schedule." Installer settings also control how the thermostat runs your equipment, so if you have never used them, ask your installer to make this change.
For other Honeywell Home messages and settings, see the Honeywell Home hub.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a temporary hold end by itself on a Honeywell thermostat?
- Yes. On the T4 Pro and T6 Pro, the manuals say the new setpoint is held until the next scheduled time period begins. On the T5, T6 Pro Wi-Fi and T9 you can also choose a specific end time. Either way, the schedule takes over again without you pressing anything.
- How do I turn a temporary hold into a permanent hold on a T6 Pro?
- Change the temperature with + or -. While "TEMPORARY HOLD" is on the screen and the setpoint is still flashing, press the Hold (Mode) button. The thermostat switches to a permanent hold.
- Why can I not choose permanent hold on my T5 or T6 Pro Wi-Fi?
- Honeywell Home says permanent hold is disabled when geofencing is enabled on the T5, T5+ and T6 Pro Wi-Fi. Temporary holds still work. Turn geofencing off if you need a hold with no end time.
- Is there a "Use Schedule" button on Honeywell thermostats?
- Not on the models covered here. The button that returns to the schedule is labeled "Cancel" on the T4 Pro and T6 Pro, "RUN SCHEDULE" on the T5, T6 Pro Wi-Fi and FocusPRO 6000, "Remove hold" on the T9, and "CANCEL (or SCHED)" in the VisionPRO TH8000 manual.