Venstar
Venstar designs Wi-Fi thermostats and the Surveyor cloud-based energy management system for residential, commercial, and small-box retail customers across North America; a Daikin subsidiary since December 2022 with 10M+ thermostats installed and 30,000+ retail locations under monitoring.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersChatsworth, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Venstar does
Venstar, Inc. is a Southern California-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats and cloud-based energy management systems, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Chatsworth. The company offers eight thermostat product lines (ColorTouch touchscreen with digital photo frame capability, Explorer IAQ with indoor air quality monitoring, Explorer TMS for HVAC performance validation, Explorer, Explorer Mini, Slimline, Small Series, FlatStat, and Value Series) covering residential, commercial, school, and hospitality applications. Underpinning the hardware estate is the Skyport Cloud platform, which provides remote monitoring and control, multi-location visibility, geofencing, configurable alerts, analytics, and integration via a Local API and cloud APIs; Skyport is included with the T4950-TMS purchase and is delivered through web, iOS, and Android clients.
The commercial/enterprise side of the business is the Surveyor Energy Management System, a category-leading platform for small-box retail chains and multi-location businesses that currently monitors and controls energy usage across more than 30,000 retail locations and 100,000+ HVAC systems in North America, delivering claimed 25–35% energy cost reductions. Surveyor is sold enterprise-direct with custom pricing, while consumer/residential hardware is distributed exclusively through regional HVAC wholesalers (Baker Distributing, Insco, M&A Supply, Brauer, DBM Control, Polar Technology) and HVAC contractors across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico — complemented by a Thermostat Logo Program that lets contractors brand the hardware. Revenue derives from hardware sales, recurring Skyport subscriptions, and Surveyor managed-services contracts.
In December 2022, Venstar was acquired by Daikin, the global HVAC equipment leader; Venstar retained its Southern California headquarters, executive team, and product lines. Named enterprise customers include AutoZone ($500M cumulative energy savings cited), Baskin-Robbins, Peter Piper Pizza, Rudy's Bar-B-Q, Cafe Zupas, Mission Community Hospital, Learning Care Group, California Baptist University, Navy SEAL Museum, Palomar Observatory, and multiple K-12 districts. Venstar also participates in utility demand-response programs via OpenADR 2.0b certification and supports voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Venstar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Venstar
- Legal name
- Venstar, Inc.
- Website
- https://venstar.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Venstar designs Wi-Fi thermostats and the Surveyor cloud-based energy management system for residential, commercial, and small-box retail customers across North America; a Daikin subsidiary since December 2022 with 10M+ thermostats installed and 30,000+ retail locations under monitoring.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Venstar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Smart Thermostats and HVAC Controls
- NAICS
- Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)
- SIC
- Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Household Appliances (3630)
- akta.pro primary industry
- HVAC Controls & Optimization (Smart Thermostats, VAV, Chillers/Boilers Controls) (BPABAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Smart Thermostats, HVAC & Air Quality Retail (CRACAGAE), Smart Climate & Air Quality (Thermostats, HVAC, Purifiers, IAQ Sensors) (HSAPAQAD)
Keywords
Where Venstar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chatsworth
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Venstar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales - Thermostats: Sale of WiFi-enabled thermostats across multiple product lines (ColorTouch, Explorer, Explorer Mini, Slimline, Small Series, FlatStat, Value Series) for residential, commercial, and school applications. Revenue generated from product sales to distributors and contractors.
- Skyport Cloud Services: Cloud platform subscription for remote HVAC monitoring and control. Skyport Cloud is included at no cost with T4950-TMS purchase. Skyport web and mobile app provide multi-location visibility and control.
- Surveyor Energy Management System: Enterprise-grade EMS software for multi-location retail chains providing energy management, remote control, and analytics across large portfolios of locations.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Venstar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Venstar designs and manufactures a full line of commercial and residential Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostats (ColorTouch, Explorer family, Slimline, FlatStat, Value/Small Series) sold through HVAC distributors and dealers. The company also operates the cloud-based Surveyor Energy Management System, which delivers managed monitoring and control of HVAC across multi-site retail, restaurant, education, and convenience-store chains, along with the Skyport Cloud Services platform that connects its thermostats and accessories.
Product overview
Venstar is a thermostat and energy management system provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected products. The core offering includes eight distinct thermostat series (ColorTouch touchscreen WiFi, Explorer IAQ with air quality monitoring, Explorer TMS for HVAC performance monitoring, Explorer, Explorer Mini, Slimline, Small Series, FlatStat, and Value Series), ranging from basic non-programmable models to advanced WiFi-enabled touchscreen devices with digital photo frame capability. These thermostats are unified by the Skyport Cloud platform, which provides cloud-based monitoring, control, analytics, and geofencing across multiple locations. The mobile app extends remote access to iOS and Android users. The Surveyor Energy Management System targets commercial multi-location retailers with enterprise-grade monitoring and control. Local API enables integration with home automation platforms like Control4 and RTI, while voice control integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant provides hands-free operation. The product ecosystem spans residential, commercial, school, and hospitality applications with a complete line of sensors and accessories including wireless temperature/humidity sensors, duct sensors, and wall plates.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ColorTouch: High-resolution, full-color touchscreen WiFi thermostat with digital photo frame capabilities, designed for residential and commercial use.
- Explorer TMS
- Explorer IAQ
- Explorer
- Explorer Mini
- Slimline
- Small Series
- FlatStat
- Value Series
- Surveyor
- Skyport
Products and services
- ColorTouch Thermostat Wi-Fi-enabled, full-color touchscreen smart thermostat for residential and light-commercial HVAC control; supports Skyport Cloud remote management and is sold through HVAC distributors and dealers.
- ColorTouch Wi-Fi Inside The Wi-Fi-enabled variant of the ColorTouch touchscreen thermostat for residential and light-commercial HVAC applications.
- Explorer Mini Thermostat Compact Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat in the Explorer family for residential and light-commercial HVAC control.
- Explorer IAQ Thermostat with Air Patrol Technology Explorer-family Wi-Fi thermostat with integrated Air Patrol indoor air quality (VOC and CO2) sensing for residential and light-commercial HVAC and IAQ monitoring.
- Explorer TMS Thermostat Commercial-grade Explorer-family Wi-Fi thermostat with touchscreen controls for tenant metering, scheduling, and energy management in multi-tenant or hospitality applications.
- Slimline Thermostat Venstar's commercial-grade line of thermostats offered in multiple hardware variants (e.g., dual setpoint, models with integrated IAQ / CO2 sensing and on-board relays), targeted at light-commercial and hospitality customers and sold through HVAC distributors.
- FlatStat Thermostat Slim-profile programmable thermostat in Venstar's commercial line, sold through HVAC distributors and dealers for hospitality, lodging, and light-commercial applications.
- Value Series Thermostat Entry-tier dealer-distributed thermostat that completes Venstar's price-tier coverage from low-cost rooms to high-end commercial applications.
- Small Series Thermostat Compact low-cost thermostat tier in Venstar's lineup, used for rooms and lobbies, distributed via HVAC wholesalers.
- Ultra-Low-Power Wi-Fi Temperature Sensor Wi-Fi connected, ultra-low-power temperature sensor for remote, multi-room, and auxiliary zone monitoring that pairs with Venstar thermostats and the Skyport platform.
- Surveyor Energy Management System Managed cloud-based HVAC energy management solution aggregating real-time telemetry and central controls across multi-site enterprise customers such as multi-site retail, restaurant, education, and convenience-store chains.
- Skyport Cloud Services Subscription-based cloud platform that connects Venstar thermostats and accessories for remote management, firmware updates, scheduling, and multi-site oversight.
- Venstar Local API Public Local REST API exposing Venstar thermostat telemetry and controls to developers, integrators, and HVAC dealers for third-party and smart-home/BAS integration.
Quantifiable outcome
- 25-35% energy cost reduction for small-box retailers using Surveyor EMS
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Venstar
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Venstar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability4 records
Feature9 records
Venstar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- DaikinflagshipVenstar acquired by Daikin in December 2022. Venstar retains its Southern California-based headquarters, current executive team and product lines. The acquisition supports joint commitment to innovate indoor comfort and environmental sustainability. Daikin is a global leader in HVAC equipment.
- Control4coreColorTouch connected Wi-Fi thermostats are certified for integration with Control4 home automation systems. Venstar provides Control4 drivers for seamless integration.
- RTI (Remote Technologies Inc.)coreRTI provides two-way driver integration for Venstar ColorTouch programmable thermostats, enabling Control4-style integration with RTI automation systems.
- Amazon AlexacoreVenstar connected thermostats work with Amazon Alexa for voice control of home temperatures. Users can set thermostat temperatures and adjust settings via voice commands.
- Google AssistantcoreVenstar WiFi thermostats are compatible with Google Assistant for voice control. Supports setting temperatures, mode changes, and querying thermostat status.
- Baker DistributingcoreExclusive distribution agreements for Florida, Southern Nevada, and New Mexico for Venstar HVAC control products.
- Insco DistributingcoreExclusive distribution deal for Texas and Oklahoma City markets.
- M&A Supply CompanyminorExclusive distribution agreement for Arkansas.
- Brauer SupplyminorExclusive distribution deal for the Midwest region.
- Cool & Parts and REACSAminorExclusive distribution agreements for Mexico market expansion.
- Trane Canada Co.minorExclusive Canadian distribution through Trane Canada Co.
- Polar TechnologyminorExclusive agreement for Puerto Rico distribution of commercial and residential thermostat products.
- DBM Control DistributorsminorExpanded New York State distribution through DBM Control Distributors Inc.
- Bruce-Rogers CompanyminorExclusive deal for Arkansas distribution of Venstar HVAC control products.
- North Little Rock Winsupply Co.minorExclusive distribution agreement for North Little Rock area.
- SYLVANIA Lighting ServicesminorNational Service Partner for Surveyor Energy Management System, providing installation and service support.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Venstar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Honeywell Home (Resideo): Resideo's Honeywell Home brand is a leading thermostat manufacturer offering T-series programmable and WiFi-connected thermostats sold through HVAC contractors, directly competing with Venstar across residential, commercial, and light-commercial channels.
- Google Nest: Google Nest sells the flagship Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Thermostat, the dominant consumer smart-thermostat brand with deep Google Home ecosystem integration, competing head-to-head with Venstar's WiFi residential thermostats.
- ecobee: ecobee (owned by Generac) sells WiFi-enabled smart thermostats for residential and light-commercial applications with voice assistant integration, directly overlapping Venstar's ColorTouch and Explorer product lines on features, price points, and target customers.
- Emerson Sensi: Emerson's Sensi line offers WiFi and smart thermostats targeted at the contractor channel with multi-system compatibility, directly competing with Venstar's Explorer, Explorer Mini, and Slimline lines for HVAC dealer shelf space.
- Carrier Côr: Carrier's Côr thermostat family (including the Côr 5C and 7C WiFi models) targets residential and light-commercial applications through Carrier's dealer network, directly overlapping Venstar's mid-range connected thermostat SKUs.
Broad incumbents
- Generac: Generac acquired ecobee and now sells smart thermostats alongside its energy storage and backup power portfolio, positioning it as a broader energy-management incumbent that bundles controls with generation hardware.
- Alarm.com: Alarm.com provides a connected platform for smart home and business automation including thermostats, sensors, and energy monitoring, competing with Venstar at the platform layer for service-provider channels.
- Schneider Electric: Schneider Electric offers EcoStruxure and PowerLogic energy management and building automation solutions for multi-site commercial customers, overlapping with Surveyor's value proposition for energy optimization across distributed locations.
- Johnson Controls: Johnson Controls provides building automation, HVAC controls, and energy management platforms (Metasys, Facility Explorer) for large commercial enterprises, competing with Venstar's Surveyor EMS at the upper end of the multi-site market.
Others
- Control4 (Snap One): Control4 is a custom home-automation platform with certified Venstar thermostat drivers; while not a thermostat vendor, it is an ecosystem participant that determines which control brands win in the high-end residential integration channel.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Venstar social profiles
Digital presenceVenstar compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Venstar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Venstar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Venstar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Venstar M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Venstar
What does Venstar do?
Venstar designs and manufactures a full line of commercial and residential Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostats (ColorTouch, Explorer family, Slimline, FlatStat, Value/Small Series) sold through HVAC distributors and dealers. The company also operates the cloud-based Surveyor Energy Management System, which delivers managed monitoring and control of HVAC across multi-site retail, restaurant, education, and convenience-store chains, along with the Skyport Cloud Services platform that connects its thermostats and accessories.
Is Venstar a public or private company?
Venstar is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Venstar founded?
Venstar was founded in 1992. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Venstar based?
Venstar is headquartered in Chatsworth, United States, in the North America region.
How does Venstar make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales - Thermostats are the primary driver. The others are skyport Cloud Services and surveyor Energy Management System.
Who are Venstar's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Honeywell Home (Resideo), Google Nest, ecobee, Emerson Sensi and Carrier Côr. Broad incumbents are Generac, Alarm.com, Schneider Electric and Johnson Controls. Control4 (Snap One) is listed as an others.
Does Venstar have an API?
Yes. Venstar's Local API enables custom home automation and building EMS system integration with WiFi thermostats. The API is built into all connected thermostats and allows for local network communication, faster response times, and enhanced security since data stays within the local network. Specific drivers available for Control4 and RTI home automation systems. Developers can access documentation and examples at developer.venstar.com. The API also supports third-party application integration for home automation systems. Developer documentation is at developer.venstar.com.
What industry is Venstar in?
Venstar's product category is Smart Thermostats and HVAC Controls. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPABAGAB, HVAC Controls & Optimization (Smart Thermostats, VAV, Chillers/Boilers Controls), with a secondary code of CRACAGAE, Smart Thermostats, HVAC & Air Quality Retail. Its NAICS code is 334512 and its SIC code is 3585.