ecobee Releases New Product Update to Help Protect Communities from Power Outages

Rhea-AI Summary

Smart home leader ecobee has released a new update to its eco+ Community Energy Savings feature, aimed at protecting customers from power outages during extreme weather events. When the North American Electric Reliability (NERC) issues an Emergency Event Alert (EEA), customers will receive alerts and automated temperature adjustments through their ecobee Smart Thermostat and mobile app. These adjustments help ensure grid stability by reducing energy demand, with changes of only 1-4 degrees lasting no more than four hours. Customers can opt out of these changes if desired. The update is part of ecobee's commitment to sustainability, offering a solution that saves up to 26% on annual heating and cooling costs while reducing waste and emissions. This feature reflects ecobee and Generac's shared vision of a sustainable energy future.

Positive

• Update helps ensure grid stability during extreme weather events.
• Customers receive automated temperature adjustments to reduce energy demand.
• Adjustments of only 1-4 degrees lasting no more than four hours.
• Customers can opt out of changes if desired.
• Part of ecobee's commitment to sustainability and reducing emissions.
• Saves up to 26% on annual heating and cooling costs.
• Reflects Generac and ecobee's vision for a sustainable energy future.

Negative

• Potential inconvenience to customers with temperature adjustments during critical periods.
• to customers not already enrolled in a utility demand response program.
• Effectiveness dependent on customer participation and willingness to conserve energy.
• Coverage might be to select regions facing extreme weather.

New update helps ensure grid stability during extreme weather in select regions

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Smart home leader ecobee today released a new update to its eco+ Community Energy Savings feature to protect customers from power outages caused by extreme weather. During North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Emergency Event Alert (EEA) or equivalent events, customers who are not already enrolled in a utility demand response program will receive an alert on their ecobee Smart Thermostat and ecobee mobile app informing them that their home is at risk of an outage. Customers then receive recommended, automated temperature adjustments to help ensure grid stability.

With this update, customers are in control and can opt out of any changes before or even during the event. Those who choose to conserve energy and help protect their communities from disruptive outages will see adjustments of only 1-4 degrees that last no more than four hours.

According to NERC, two-thirds of North America is at risk of energy shortages during high-demand periods that stress the energy grid. With ecobee’s new update, customers can allow their ecobee Smart Thermostat to reduce demand, creating less strain on the grid and helping to avoid outages in their community. ecobee’s Community Energy Savings feature is one of six eco+ smart features available on ecobee smart thermostats. Together, these features help people use cleaner energy automatically, while saving up to 26% on annual heating and cooling costs.*

“Everyone has a role to play in conserving energy and helping ensure grid stability,” said Kari Binley, Senior Manager, Energy Partnerships at ecobee. “This update helps communities take control of their energy savings and avoid potentially dangerous outages during high demand periods.”

The new update provides customers with an automated solution for additional home energy resiliency. It reflects ecobee’s commitment to sustainability and helping communities conserve energy while reducing waste and emissions. Furthermore, customers can choose to participate in their utility's demand response program if they would like to take advantage of these automated adjustments more often and receive a financial incentive from their utility provider.

To learn more about this update and how ecobee is helping customers save more energy automatically, visit ecobee’s blog post.

* Compared to a hold of 72°F/22°C.

About ecobee

ecobee Inc. was founded in 2007 with a mission to simplify everyday life while creating a more sustainable world. Since launching the world’s first smart thermostat in 2009, ecobee has helped customers across North America save over 31 TWh of energy, which is the equivalent of taking all the homes in Los Angeles and Chicago off the grid for a year. Today, ecobee continues to innovate with smart home solutions that solve everyday problems with comfort, protection, and conservation in mind. In 2021, ecobee joined Generac Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNRC), a leading global designer and manufacturer of energy technology solutions, and other power products. Generac and ecobee share a vision to deliver a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for customers and communities. The Generac and ecobee home of the future will be more comfortable, secure, resilient, and efficient. For more information, visit ecobee.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240530784974/en/

Press:

Fatima Reyes, Senior Communications Manager, ecobee

press@ecobee.com

Source: ecobee

FAQ

What is the new update released by ecobee?

The new update enhances the eco+ Community Energy Savings feature to help protect customers from power outages during extreme weather by providing automated temperature adjustments.

How does the update help during power outages?

During NERC Emergency Event Alerts, customers receive automated temperature adjustments through their ecobee Smart Thermostat to reduce energy demand and help ensure grid stability.

Can customers opt out of the automated temperature adjustments?

Yes, customers can opt out of the temperature adjustments before or during the event.

How much can customers save on heating and cooling costs with ecobee's new update?

Customers can save up to 26% on annual heating and cooling costs.

What is the significance of the new update in terms of sustainability?

The update reflects ecobee's commitment to sustainability and helps reduce waste and emissions by conserving energy.

How is this update related to Generac Holdings (GNRC)?

ecobee, now part of Generac Holdings, shares a vision with Generac to deliver a more sustainable energy future.

What is the duration and extent of the temperature adjustments?

The adjustments range from 1-4 degrees and last no more than four hours.