Smart Home Energy Conservation
Direct Energy worked in collaboration with Milton Hydro and Bell, with independent analysis by the University of Waterloo, to conduct a home energy conservation pilot that provide customers the tools they needed to take control of their energy consumption.
The pilot was conducted from July, 2007 to September 2008 with 209 Milton Hydro households. The goal of the pilot was to not only test technology, but also gain insights into consumer behaviours and motivations for change.
Each participants received a leading-edge home energy conservation kit that allowed them to monitor their home energy consumption, as well as remotely control and schedule energy consumption of home appliances including:
- Lights
- Home appliances
- Thermostats
- Electric hot water heaters
- Air conditioners
The system can be managed by an easy-to-use web interface or by a hand held device such as a BlackBerry.
Program Results
- The top 10 per cent of participants saved 16 per cent off their electricity usage over 12 months and saved 18 per cent off their consumption during peak periods
- A select group of participants saw savings of 44 per cent during provincial demand response periods
- Consumers were motivated by dollar savings and environmental benefits
- Larger homes saw the biggest impact on energy savings
Read the official press release
