Control4, a company specializing in affordable IP-based home control systems, and APOGEE Interactive announced a strategic relationship today to incorporate Apogee’s energy analysis software into the Control4 home area network solution, the Energy Management System 100. By analyzing and presenting the data gathered by the Energy Management System 100 in an easy-to-understand interface and linking that with control over home devices, consumers can see the impact of changing their usage and realize substantial energy savings in the home.
While billions of dollars are poured into upgrading the energy infrastructure and creating the smart grid, consumers are a crucial piece of the solution. The Control4 Energy Management System with Apogee enables consumers to participate and understand their role in managing their energy use.
“So many people talk about the smart grid and smart metering in terms of providing data to consumers,” said Joel Gilbert, chief software architect and cofounder of APOGEE Interactive. “But you need more than just energy usage data. You have to enrich the data with analysis and a compelling interface to keep consumers engaged for the long run. That’s what this partnership delivers.”
This strategic relationship marks the first time Apogee’s software will be available on an in-home device, and will enable the Control4 Energy Management System 100 to turn multiple streams of energy-related data into actionable information consumers can use to monitor and make changes to their home energy usage. For example, the Energy Management System will be able to forecast how much energy a consumer will use based on past usage patterns, allowing the consumer to make changes to lower their utility bill before it arrives.
“Apogee is a well respected partner to more than 400 utilities and AMI companies looking to deliver data to their consumers via the Internet,” said Will West, chief executive officer of Control4. “We’re excited to be the first to leverage this proven capability in an in-home display. It’s a win for utilities, and will be a win for consumers too.”
By leveraging the Control4 Energy Management System 100, utilities can provide consumers a transparent view of their usage and billing information – right on their in-home display. The total Control4 product experience can increase customer participation in demand response and energy efficiency programs. This increased customer satisfaction will in turn reduce energy management and customer service costs.
