Venstar ColorTouch Thermostats Now Feature Real-Time Weather, Remote Firmware Upgrades and Humidity Support

CHATSWORTH, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 13, 2013) - Venstar®, a leading thermostat and energy management systems supplier, today announced that it has added real-time weather and remote firmware upgrades via its Skyport™ Cloud Service to its ColorTouch® touchscreen, programmable thermostats. For new ColorTouch thermostats, the upgrade also includes humidity control support.

"Real-time weather on the ColorTouch thermostat screen gives users an at-a-glance view of current outside temperatures as well as three-day weather predictions, a benefit we added in direct response to user requests," said Steve Dushane, Venstar's CEO. 

Also included in the ColorTouch firmware update is the new Skyport firmware upgrade button, which allows users to remotely update the firmware for their ColorTouch thermostats anywhere in the world using the Skyport Cloud Services online. "This is a huge benefit for users who travel frequently or have multiple homes," Dushane added.

Two new models of ColorTouch also now have humidity control, which enables users to manage indoor humidity settings using their ColorTouch thermostats. ColorTouch with humidity control works with the thermostat's humidity sensor, which automatically detects changes in humidity in residential or commercial environments and adjusts the conditions via the HVAC system and/or a humidifier.

The new firmware comes standard with new ColorTouch residential and commercial thermostats T5900 (residential) and T6900 (commercial) models. Previous ColorTouch models T5800 (residential) and T6800 (commercial) can be updated to the new firmware. Anytime a firmware update is available, a notification will appear on the thermostat screen along with simple prompts to help the user make the update.

Venstar also offers a free ColorTouch mobile application, which allows users to remotely monitor and control their home or commercial thermostats. Compatible with Apple iPhone®, iTouch®, iPad®, BlackBerry® and Android™ devices, the ColorTouch thermostat with Skyport Wi-Fi Key is priced under $250 (estimated end-user cost).

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. Its multi-functional, simple-to-use, richly featured, programmable touch screen thermostat has customizable backgrounds, which may include the users' own photos as well as more than a dozen pre-set themes, including holiday themes. It also includes a free mobile app for Android, BlackBerry and iOS mobile devices so contractors or homeowners can 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! The ColorTouch residential model T5900 is now available with humidity control.

Once a free Venstar Skyport Cloud account is created online, residential users can use Venstar's free mobile app on their Android, BlackBerry and iOS mobile devices or directly from the Web to:

• View a display of the current weather and weather forecast for all thermostat locations;
• Monitor thermostat information, including system run time and current energy usage;
• Change security settings, such as changing passwords or temperature setpoint limits;
• Program thermostat features, such as backlight dimming, holiday schedule, fan usage, supply air monitoring and much more;
• View incoming alerts based on pre-configured notifications, such as important updates on the health of the system or simply if the home's inside temperature has gone above or below pre-set limits; and
• Send text messages from a mobile device or desktop to the thermostat display, such as reminders and notes to family members.

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 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. ColorTouch was recently upgraded to add built-in humidity control. Compatible with virtually every type of commercial heating and air conditioning system, ColorTouch can be configured to display one of three languages: English, French or Spanish. The ColorTouch commercial model T6900 is now available with humidity control.

Once a free Venstar Skyport Cloud account is created online, commercial users can use Venstar's free mobile app on their Android, BlackBerry and iOS mobile devices or directly from the Web to:

• Instantly access up to 100 commercial locations;
• Easily monitor and control comfort settings at multiple buildings and office locations, including monitoring room temperature, supply air temperature, outdoor air temperature, run-time hours, and more;
• View incoming alerts via email on pre-configured notifications, such as important updates on the health of the system or simply if the inside temperature has gone above or below pre-set limits (Note: the servicing contractor may receive email alerts as well);
• Monitor thermostat information, including system run times and current usage, for each thermostat at all locations;
• View a display of the current weather and weather forecast for all thermostat locations;
• Schedule holidays for up to 365 days of each year, including reoccurring unoccupied days so that the thermostat can be set to "unoccupied" during those periods;
• Prevent unauthorized use by auto-screen lock or setpoint limiting; and
• Send text messages from a mobile device or desktop to the thermostat display, such as reminders and notes.

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.

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 percent of their energy costs, which translates to tens of millions of dollars in savings each year and dramatic reductions in C0₂ emissions. Surveyor currently controls the energy usage of more than 15,000 retail locations across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

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