SmartThings, a developer of smart home technologies, has announced new features for SmartThings Energy. The additions empower people to take more action on their energy use, save money and earn rewards, while contributing to a more sustainable future.
According to Samsung, more than 270 million people worldwide use SmartThings to control and manage their connected life. The global company says SmartThings Energy is a comprehensive energy management solution within the SmartThings app that improves household energy IQ. Samsung states the solution is the first platform of its kind to earn ENERGY STAR certification for a Smart Home Energy Management System from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“SmartThings Energy has revolutionized the home energy category, and we are witnessing a growing number of users who are acutely aware of the need for increased savings and control over their energy consumption,” says Barry Holland, director of product management at SmartThings Energy.
“With energy costs at their peak, it has never been more important to provide users with effective solutions to lower their energy expenses and reduce consumption. These new features exemplify our unwavering commitment to addressing these critical needs and empowering users with advanced energy management capabilities.”
Optimizing home energy use is the first step to taking action. Within SmartThings Energy, AI Energy Mode is a power-saving feature that helps people get the most out of their Samsung products while using the least amount of energy. Using AI enhanced systems on Samsung Home Appliances and TVs, AI Energy Mode saves up to 70% energy on select cycles and products. Algorithms weigh laundry loads, set defrost cycles, estimate electricity bills – even detect when a refrigerator door is open or a room temperature dips – to help people cut costs and save consumption. Over the past year, customers in the United States saved more than 1.8 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy using AI Energy Mode1.
SmartThings Energy Partnership with Electricity Maps
Samsung says that with this update, SmartThings Energy users can now gain valuable insights into the sources and origins of their energy across a broader range of products right from the SmartThings app. Through a partnership with Electricity Maps, a service that visualizes the sources of electricity and the associated carbon dioxide emissions, users can make more informed decisions about their energy usage and reduce their carbon footprint.
Samsung also points out that some of the most popular connected products in people’s homes are smart lights, thermostats and outlets. Now, SmartThings Energy extends its support to more commonly used devices, in addition to connected Samsung appliances and HVAC systems.
SmartThings Energy now offers advanced automation features to enable U.S. users enrolled in DR programs to manage their devices more intelligently. Previously, SmartThings Energy users would receive notifications of a real- time energy event and need to manually adjust devices or set up automations to participate in energy-saving or reward-generating programs. With the new update, users can simply select the devices they want to participate in the DR program. SmartThings Energy will then automatically adjust the chosen devices, turning off lights or plugs, activating more economical modes for thermostats, and enabling compatible Samsung appliances with AI Energy Mode.
Once users activate SmartThings Energy, they can easily check their eligibility for participation in various energy management programs by inputting their zip code. This unlocks the opportunity to earn cash rewards and savings during periods of high-energy consumption. An average participating household in New York with GridRewards program activated through SmartThings Energy can earn more than $100 per year during peak hours. Additionally, residents in California can now enroll their homes with the Connected Savings program by Resideo Technologies, which manufactures Honeywell Home smart thermostats and First Alert life safety solutions, enabling the homeowner to receive a one-time reward of up to $150.
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