Now developers can use ColorTouch’s built-in API (in firmware updates 3.08 and newer) to create applications that will allow the thermostat to be controlled by third-party applications, including home automation companies. This new API gives developers the ability to monitor and control ColorTouch’s Schedule, Mode, Temperature and other settings from their own products.
To support third-party development, Venstar has created a Developer site that provides an overview and guide to utilizing ColorTouch’s built-in API for creation of integrated applications for remote monitoring and control of ColorTouch thermostats. It also has examples in a variety of programming languages that will help developers generate the codes needed to create applications.
The API has successfully been used by leading home automation company Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI) of Shakopee, MN, to create a new driver that allows users to control and receive feedback from ColorTouch thermostats on RTI control interfaces. With RTI's new driver, residential and commercial users receive extensive feedback from their ColorTouch thermostats and view it on their RTI user interface — including temperature, humidity levels, and energy usage information — and make quick adjustments to their environmental and conservation settings from anywhere within the home or facility. In addition, with the RTiPanel application, users can control their thermostats and other home electronic systems such as lighting and security from virtually anywhere in the world, without having to switch between apps on their mobile devices.
About the ColorTouch Residential Thermostats (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. Consumer Reports rated ColorTouch Number 1 in thermostats for the second year in a row in its November 2013 issue. Also available are free mobile apps for Android, BlackBerry and Apple 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.
For more information on updating ColorTouch firmware, visit Update the ColorTouch Firmware.
For more information on ColorTouch, visit Venstar Thermostats.
For product videos, visit Venstar Video.
Venstar — a leading thermostat and energy management systems supplier — today announced its new developer API for its ColorTouch residential and commercial color touch screen, programmable thermostats.
“We are pleased to announce the ColorTouch API that enables third-party developers to create integrated applications for remote monitoring and control of the ColorTouch thermostats,” said Steve Dushane, CEO of Venstar. “This gives home automation companies and others the ability to integrate ColorTouch into their systems so their users can control all their home systems including temperature from a single interface.”