This New Smart Home Standard Is Designed to Reduce Energy Consumption
If you’ve ever tried to network your smart devices, you may have noticed that not all of them use the same interface, and not all of them interact with your phone or tablet the same way. This can be annoying as you will often have to manage settings and controls separately through different apps. Luckily, a solution to this problem is in the works thanks to the Home Connectivity Alliance.
Why you want your technology to be smart
Connecting your home appliances to the smart grid may seem unnecessary to some, but smart appliances do offer some significant benefits. Smart appliances can help you save energy by automatically turning off certain features when you’re not using them, thereby reducing the load on your electrical system. They can also alert you when they need maintenance, which can improve their efficiency. Service technicians can also remotely access many smart devices when you request repairs, so all the necessary parts can be purchased prior to the repair visit.
What does the new system offer?
Since smart appliances save energy and water better when they work together, connecting them to the same system is an advantage when it comes to saving energy. The Home Connectivity Alliance breaks new ground by collaborating to create a single system that can work with multiple brands simultaneously, allowing you to manage their energy-saving features as one system rather than having to remember to individually access multiple separate devices. This allows your entire home to respond to a peak load event (when there is increased demand on the electrical grid in your area) or integrate with a demand response program that allows you to save on your utility bills by reducing your energy consumption at certain times. day.
How to find out which manufacturers are participating
There are many: Vestel, LG, Samsung, Frigidair, Haier, Midea, American Standard, Beko, Electrolux, Resideo and Trane have pledged allegiance to this new energy-saving alliance. At the moment, Samsung, LG and Vestel have already implemented the new system, while other manufacturers are still in the process of releasing products that will work with it. Check the labeling of your smart device from these brands to see if your new TV or thermostat supports compatible technology.
How existing smart technologies work with the new system
Since most people don’t replace all of their devices at once, especially those that have a higher price tag like refrigerators, the idea is to build retroactive networking capability into the system so you can connect your current smart Frigidair to new LG smart devices. . Before replacing anything, check with the manufacturer to see if you can benefit from the new, optimized system after the changeover.
Disadvantages of an integrated management system
Some brands do not participate in the Home Connectivity Alliance, including Bosch/Thermador and Whirlpool. If you already have a large device from one of these brands, you won’t be able to add it to your energy management interface until it’s time to replace it. In addition, it is possible that the implementation of the new interface will take some time. If you’re looking to save money right now, you might want to consider adding a smart plug system to coordinate your appliances instead of upgrading everything at once (which, not to mention lower power consumption, will likely cost a lot more than you’ll save). .)