For those home owners hesitant to spend thousands of dollars on an energy management system, a cross-over solution does exist. Two innovative home security products provide extended functionality to allow their clients to remotely control home temperature and lighting from the same mobile interface they use to monitor and control home security. Many of these customers are also eligible for rebates and incentives provided by insurance companies for home security and state and local governments for energy efficiency investment.
InTouch from CPI Security
InTouch provides home owners remote control of lights, appliances, and temperature from the convenience of a mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet PC. The platform is tied directly to the user's home security system, and programs can be set to adjust settings based on the status of the home alarm. Additionally, the already robust security alert system has been extended through InTouch. Home owners can now receive text message or email alerts when automated energy settings have changed.
empower from Alarm.com
Alarm.com's emPower platform provides functionality similar to InTouch. In addition, emPower allows users to build out smart energy usage schedules to further control and minimize energize costs and "reduce their Carbon footprint(1)." Users can confirm these settings have taken hold by utilizing previously installed security cameras. Given all of this functionality, one must question the overall energy gains being made. The technology, however, is quite impressive.
Though the functionality of both of these applications pales in comparison to some of the more robust energy management applications available, the tie in to home security and ability to view live streaming video of the home make it an attractive option. A partnership between these home security systems and a pure energy management platform would have a unique competitive advantage in this growing market place.
NOTES:
(1) emPower Demo Video: http://youtu.be/-FqEBMScOzc Accessed May 7, 2011
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