Venstar ColorTouch Firmware 3.14 Update Delivers Automated Demand Response

CHATSWORTH, CA--(Marketwired - Nov 19, 2014) - Venstar®, a leading thermostat and energy management systems supplier, today announced the release of its new Firmware 3.14 update for its ColorTouch® residential and commercial color touch screen, programmable thermostats. This update delivers added Automated Demand Response (ADR) and Equipment Fault Detection (EFD) in compliance with Title 24.

"ColorTouch Firmware 3.14 Update enables Venstar's ColorTouch thermostats to comply with Title 24's Automated Demand Response and Equipment Fault Detection mandates," said Steve Dushane, CEO of Venstar. "At Venstar, we are dedicated to giving ColorTouch users an easy upgrade path to the latest, most innovative features with firmware updates and continually creating new features and performance enhancements to ensure that ColorTouch users, installers and contractors always have the very best in indoor climate control."

Automated Demand Response (ADR) to Participate in Utility Programs

With the Firmware 3.14 update, ColorTouch thermostats now support and have the ability to participate in utility-generated load shedding events. ColorTouch now supports the handling of specific signals from the utility provider. Utility signals sent to ColorTouch thermostats may include pricing information and/or setback actions that allow users to alter the comfort settings of the thermostat in order to reduce energy usage on demand.

When there is a pending ADR event for participating users, a yellow leaf shows on the top bar of ColorTouch thermostats to alert users that the local utility company may modify its comfort settings to reduce energy use during times of high demand. During an active ADR event, the setpoints are locked. However, users have the option of opting out of the ADR event by pressing the warmer or cooler buttons. Mode changes, such as turning the time period program on and off, as well as Home & Away modes, can be altered during an active ADR event. The curtailment setpoints are enforced on top of these modes until the ADR event expires.

If it is more energy efficient to run the current setpoints rather than changing to the ADR demands, the thermostat will not modify that setpoint. If the screen is locked with a PIN code and setpoint changes are not allowed, there is no way to opt out of an active ADR event from the thermostat unless the user inputs the authentication code.

The local utility company will have the ability to request and receive thermostat curtailment reports from Venstar's Skyport™ Cloud Services pertaining to all thermostats in the program. Users, installers and contractors can select "Thermostat Settings" in Skyport Cloud Services to choose the Demand Response button.

New Firmware 3.14 Update Now Available

The 3.14 firmware update is now factory-standard in new ColorTouch residential and commercial thermostats. Previous ColorTouch residential and commercial models can be updated via Wi-Fi at the thermostat or through Venstar's mobile app with Venstar's Skyport Cloud Services. To update the firmware for a ColorTouch thermostat, navigate to the Upgrade Firmware option. Each time a new ColorTouch update is available, a notification will appear on the thermostat screen along with simple prompts to help users make the update.

About ColorTouch Residential Thermostat (Models T5800 and T5900)

The ColorTouch thermostat has won top awards for ease of programmability, its color touch screen and the ability to post up to 100 photos or graphics on the screen. Venstar's free mobile apps for Android™, BlackBerry® and Apple iOS® mobile devices enable contractors or homeowners to remotely access and control their ColorTouch thermostats via their Venstar Skyport Cloud online accounts. Compatible with virtually every type of heating and air conditioning system, ColorTouch can be configured to display one of three languages: English, French or Spanish. ColorTouch is the thermostat that thinks it's a digital picture frame!

About ColorTouch Commercial Thermostat (Models T6800 and T6900)

The award-winning ColorTouch programmable commercial thermostat is multi-functional, simple-to-use and richly featured. Its programmable scheduler and holiday feature keeps occupied periods comfortable while reducing energy use for unoccupied periods. Its color touch screen can be programmed to show company logos, ads and promotions as well as a picture gallery of up to 100 files to be used as a slideshow. It can be configured to display one of three languages: English, French or Spanish.

Compatible with virtually every type of commercial heating and air conditioning system, ColorTouch is compatible with Venstar's Skyport Cloud Services, which allows commercial users to use Venstar's free mobile app on their Android, BlackBerry and Apple iOS mobile devices or directly from the Web to instantly access and control up to 100 commercial locations and much more.

For more information on updating ColorTouch firmware, visit Update the ColorTouch Firmware.

For more information on ColorTouch, visit http://www.venstar.com/Thermostats/.

For product videos, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8reHhhLdMQ.

Email: sales@venstar.com
Telephone: 818-812-9930

About Venstar Inc.

Founded in 1992, Venstar Inc. is a leading thermostat and energy management system (EMS) supplier, known for providing value to its customers via ease of use and installation, proven cost savings, improved energy efficiency, quality and reliability. Venstar is one of the largest thermostat suppliers in the world and designs and produces Venstar-branded products, as well as OEM thermostat products for the biggest names in HVAC. Venstar's Surveyor is a leading energy management system, typically saving small-box retailers 25-35 percent of their energy costs, which translates to tens of millions of dollars in savings each year and dramatic reductions in CO₂ emissions. Surveyor currently controls the energy usage of more than 20,000+ retail locations across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

Visit Venstar: www.venstar.com