Venstar® recently announced that its Explorer® Mini Wi-Fi® thermostat is being used by Los Angeles-based Precise Air Systems to help its customers manage their energy usage and costs. One of the lowest-priced California Title 24* Wi-Fi thermostats, Explorer Mini is just 3.2 inches wide by 3.2 inches high and less than an inch deep, making it a perfect fit for Precise Air’s residential customers, which are primarily apartment complexes.

“We were challenged to find an affordable Title-24-compliant thermostat that includes Wi-Fi and is fully featured yet easy for users. We ideally wanted one with a small footprint, which we found in Venstar’s Explorer Mini residential thermostat,” said Greg Khachekian, sales and customer service manager of Precise Air Systems.

Challenge: Find Small, Easy-to-Use, Affordable Title 24 Thermostat

In business since 1975, Precise Air Systems provides HVAC services to residential and commercial customers throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Khachekian was challenged to find an affordable Title-24-compliant thermostat that includes Wi-Fi and is fully featured yet easy to install and use. They ideally wanted one with a small footprint.

Solution: Venstar’s Explorer Mini Small-Footprint Wi-Fi Thermostat

Just 3.2 inches wide by 3.2 inches high and less than an inch deep, Venstar’s Explorer Mini is perfect for new construction or retrofit situations. Small, medium and large wall plates are available to cover any wall damage from previous thermostats. An optional locking cover secures the thermostat in high-traffic areas.

Explorer Mini features the largest LCD screen size in a thermostat of this size from Venstar. Its easy-to-read display has red and green indicator lights to instantly show users when it’s heating or cooling. It also has an LED backlight that can be programmed to go dark while the users are sleeping. The built-in clock can be removed from the LCD to further simplify the display. It also includes an API so that third-party controllers, such as home automation systems, can monitor and control the thermostat.

Explorer Mini is easy to set up and use. Compared to competitors’ Title 24 Wi-Fi thermostats that have up to 13 buttons, the Explorer Mini has just four buttons.

Using Venstar’s Skyport® Cloud Services, technicians and users can remotely access the Explorer Mini Wi-Fi thermostat directly from the Web or by using the free Skyport Mobile App on their Android™ or Apple iOS® phones and tablets. Having a choice of using the Web browser or mobile app makes it easy for them to manage the thermostats from wherever they are.

At about half the cost of other Wi-Fi thermostats, Explorer Mini is one of the most affordable Wi-Fi thermostats on the market. It also meets Precise Air Systems’ requirements for a thermostat that complies with the stringent California Title 24 code.

Results: Venstar’s Explorer Mini Thermostats Make Installers and Users Happy

According to Khachekian, his technicians appreciate the simplicity of Venstar thermostats. He said,“It’s rare to have a thermostat that pleases everyone, but Venstar Explorer Mini does just that. It’s easy for our technicians to install and program, plus they can explain its functions to users in just minutes. Our technicians also appreciate the thermostat’s small footprint as it delivers a sleek, polished look.”

“Our customers value the Explorer Mini’s simplicity and robust functionality, including the seven-day programmability. They love the ability to remotely control their thermostats online or to use the free mobile app. It’s even compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant,” he added.

Precise Air Systems’ technicians have been installing Venstar thermostats for more than 20 years, including Venstar’s ColorTouch® and Explorer thermostats.

*California Title 24’s elevated building standards include HVAC equipment and controls. In the four years since it was adopted, this mandate has delivered ongoing improvements in energy efficiency, waste reduction, environmental impact and safety hazards.

About Precise Air Service

Located in Los Angeles, Calif., Precise Air Systems has been in business since 1975. It covers the greater Los Angeles area installing HVAC systems as well as maintenance, repair, cleaning, consulting services and a full line of commercial services. The company’s priority is to provide an excellent experience for the customer. It employs only top technicians and ensures that they remain up to date with the market trends and technology as well as comply with new rules and regulations concerning residential and commercial HVAC.

About Venstar Inc.

Venstar Inc. is a leading thermostat and energy management system (EMS) manufacturer, known for providing value to its customers via ease of use and installation, proven cost savings, improved energy efficiency, quality and reliability. Founded in 1992, 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 20–35 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 30,000+ retail locations across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.