Table of Contents
The Venstar ColorTouch Programmable Thermostat
Venstar ColorTouch Programmable Thermostat - A first impression when taking the Venstar ColorTouch thermostat from the box was that the thermostat was smaller than I had imagined however it is no smaller than the typical digital programmable thermostat. The more I got into the thermostat the better I liked it even though I found what I think is a minor flaw in the thermostat. Despite the flaw, we are recommending the Venstar ColorTouch thermostat for residential and light commercial users who will find the benefits and features rich and colorful.
Venstar ColorTouch Programmable Thermostat | HVAC Control
Venstar ColorTouch Programmable Thermostat – Minor Flaw of the ColorTouch Thermostat
I took the thermostat from the box and began examining it. A small transformer was hooked up to power it from my desk so I could explore the features comfortably by my notepad. I had done this before with other thermostats. One thing that stood out from the other thermostats from the ColorTouch was the fact that I had to use a tool to open it up or to separate the sub-base from the main thermostat. It is necessary to do this upon initial installation and whenever an HVAC technician wants to troubleshoot the HVAC system.
I’ve done it a thousand times and so have many other technicians. It is a process of eliminating a possible problem and the core definition of troubleshooting. Anyhow, other modern digital thermostats do not need tools to take apart. I simply want everyone to know this so that someone does not pull the entire thermostat from the wall. This includes homeowners and HVAC technicians. Perhaps they will improve on this in the future.
Venstar ColorTouch Programmable Thermostat - Feature Rich along with Ease of Programming with a TouchScreen Interface
- One of the big bonus features of this thermostat is that you can load your own photos on it and display the photos as wallpaper on the thermostat or as part of the screensaver feature of the thermostat. Or both. The screensaver and wallpaper feature can be set to one of many themes that come default in the thermostat. You can also set the screensaver to a clock (analog or digital - your choice) rather than photos.
- It has its own software you can download and set up all the features and programs from your desktop. You will need an SD card to do this but it is one of the features I have been waiting for and it is refreshing to finally see. The ColorTouch Assistant is easy to use for most people. See the video below. No longer does one need to take a course in rocket science to program a thermostat.
- Dealers or HVAC Contractors can easily preprogram their contact information into the thermostat so the customer can have easy access to contact information.
- Alerts are easily programmed to remind you to change the filter, change a UV Bulb, or call for annual maintenance.
- Set your vacation dates in the thermostat and the system will respond according to your setting when you go on vacation.
- Additional features include multi-stage heating and cooling settings, English, Spanish, or French language settings, a free cooling option, heat pump condenser lockout feature, and dual fuel settings.
There are other features to the ColorTouch Thermostat by Venstar that make it stand out from the average off the shelf thermostat. Once the thermostat is installed and your photos are loaded with this thermostat you will love it and never want another thermostat.
As far as the flaw is concerned, we notified Venstar and we were told we were wrong even though I had someone independent of this site come to the same conclusion. In fact, without any input from me and my testing, the first thing they told me was they had a difficult time taking it apart. As far as Venstar being objectionable and saying okay we’ll look into a fix we heard nothing but crickets from them.
Venstar ColorTouch Programmable Thermostat
