My honeywell t8611g goes to emergency heat when I change temp up only two degrees. How do I change this so it will stay on heat pump when I change the temp up to three degrees?

Here is a manual. Page 15 describes the intellegent recovery feature. It should be allowed to manage temperature changes to minimize or avoid auxiliary heat usage. Manual adjustments exceeding 1 degree from current setpoint usually activate auxiliary. http://www.honeywell-thermostat.com/manuals/t8611gmanual.pdf

Is there a way to change this though to say three degrees? I appreciate the answer and I understand how the AIR works. I want to change the programming so that Aux (emer) heat comes on only if there is a three degrees or more increase in temp.

Some will allow enabling of additional setup options, with addition of optional outdoor sensor. Your model may have a limiting option based on outdoor temperature, for the auxiliary heat. The installation guide should provide this and other setup option info, but I am unable to locate one online.

Same here. I am contacting Honeywell and should get a response next week. Let you know how it goes.