Venstar has announced the availability of its new Slimline Platinum commercial thermostat (Model T2900) with light activation that turns the thermostat on and off based on the level of light, helping facilities save energy and go green.

"At retail stores and restaurants, employees usually remember to turn off the lights when they leave, but they rarely remember to turn off or adjust the HVAC systems. With Venstar's new light-activated Slimline Platinum thermostat, the HVAC systems are automatically adjusted to predetermined settings when the lights are turned off," said Steve Dushane, president and CEO of Venstar Inc.

"Venstar's new light-activated Slimline Platinum thermostat is also useful at facilities that may be occupied at irregular intervals, because it automatically controls the HVAC systems, turning heat or air conditioning on or off based on light levels," he added. "With the T2900 commercial thermostat, businesses can have both energy efficiency and comfort at the touch of a light switch."

Venstar's T2900 is the only commercial thermostat available today that allows the user to disable the light activation functionality and use the thermostat as a fully functional, seven-day programmable thermostat with up to three occupied periods per day, allowing for maximum flexibility.

Its pre-occupancy fan purge feature can be programmed to freshen the air before the room is occupied. When equipped with the optional ACC0430 Humidity Module, the T2900 commercial thermostat can be programmed for reheat operation to initiate dehumidification cooling cycles while running second stage auxiliary strip heat, allowing simple and effective humidity control.

The thermostat's programmable output provides the contractor with ultimate flexibility by allowing control of auxiliary devices, such as a ventilation fan in a computer room where a secondary sensor may be placed in the room, and it can also be given a set point at which temperature the programmable output on the T2900 thermostat will energize the blower motor.

The ECON terminal on the thermostat acts as an occupied switch, supplying 24vac anytime the thermostat goes into the Occupied mode due to an increase in light level or a programmed time period.

It can also operate with averaging up to eight remote sensors, remotely controlling the HVAC system when the thermostat is located in another room.

As with all of Venstar's Slimline Platinum commercial thermostats, the Model T2900 features backlit, color-coded keys and legends in a large, easy-to-read display. It can be configured to be programmable or non-programmable and features configurable manual or auto changeover. The LED indicator glows green to indicate cooling and red to indicate heating. It also includes a keypad lock.

It is compatible with Venstar's IR Remote Control Accessory, Humidity Module Accessory, and EZ Programmer Accessory. It is also compatible with Venstar's ComfortCall Telephone Accessory, which allows users to call and gather information and control their thermostats from any telephone.