EEPROM.read data not comparing with DHT11 sensor value - Arduino temp controller

Question

I'm using a DHT11 to read temperature to control a relay that will control a fan. When 'A' is pressed it allows the user to update the temp value that the relay will go HIGH at. The value is being stored and read to and from the EEPROM but they are not being compared properly in the if statement. Please help!

#include <EEPROM.h>
#include <Keypad.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
#include <dht11.h>                 
dht11 DHT;                 

char temperature[2];
char initial_temperature[2];
char new_temperature[2];
char key_pressed=0;

const int relay = 8; 
const int dht11_data = 6;     
int temp=0;
int relayState = LOW;         
int i=0;
int j=0;
int init_pass = 0;

const byte ROWS = 4; //four rows
const byte COLS = 4; //four columns
//define the symbols on the buttons of the keypads
char hexaKeys[ROWS][COLS] = {
{'1','2','3','A'},
{'4','5','6','B'},
{'7','8','9','C'},
{'*','0','#','D'}
};
byte rowPins[ROWS] = {38, 40, 42, 44};
byte colPins[COLS] = {46, 48, 50, 52};

LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2);

 //initialize an instance of class NewKeypad
 Keypad customKeypad = Keypad( makeKeymap(hexaKeys), rowPins, colPins, ROWS, COLS);

 void setup() {
 Serial.begin(9600);
 pinMode(relay, OUTPUT);
 digitalWrite(relay, relayState);
 lcd.begin(16,2);
 lcd.print("  Welcome to ");
 lcd.setCursor(0,1);
 lcd.print("     Test 2");
 delay(2000);
 lcd.clear();


   }

void loop() {

DHT.read(dht11_data);
temp=DHT.temperature;

lcd.clear();                   
lcd.setCursor(5,0) ;         
lcd.print("Temp");            //display"Temp="
lcd.setCursor(5,1);
lcd.print(temp);
lcd.write(0xDF);              //Display custom characters '°'
lcd.print("C");

delay(200);               
initialtemperature();


       // here is the problem - comparing temp>=init_pass
 // 'temp' will not compare with value of 'init_pass' 
 // like it does with a number value in it's place.

for(int j=0;j<2;j++){   
init_pass = (initial_temperature[j] - '0');

if (temp >= (init_pass)){

 if(init_pass==2)
   relayState = HIGH;
   digitalWrite(relay,  relayState);

   Serial.print(init_pass);
  }
  }   

 key_pressed = customKeypad.getKey();
 if(key_pressed=='A')
 change();
}


void change(){
  j=0;
int i=0;
Serial.begin(9600);
lcd.clear();
lcd.print("FanOn Temp=");
lcd.print(initial_temperature);
// Serial.print(initial_temperature); 
lcd.write(0xDF);
lcd.write("C");   
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print("New Temp=");
delay(200);
while(i<2)

{

char pressed=customKeypad.getKey();
if(pressed){
  new_temperature[i++]=pressed;
  lcd.print(pressed);
  EEPROM.write(j,pressed);
  j++;
}

pressed=0;

}
if(i==2){
lcd.write(0xDF);
lcd.write("C");         
delay(1000);
lcd.clear();
lcd.print("Saved");
delay(1000);
  }
  }

 void initialtemperature(){


for (int j = 0; j < 2; j++)
initial_temperature[j] = EEPROM.read(j);


}