Smappee Home Energy Management is Utility-Independent
Smappee, a new home energy management system designed to help consumers reduce unnecessary consumption works independently of any utility company to deliver actionable insights that save money and reduce excess energy use - without sacrificing comfort. Introduced first in Europe, Smappee is now available also in the U.S.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that appliances, electronics and lighting account for more than one-third of home energy use. However, most Americans aren't actively aware of their own habits. They may leave lights on while at work, forget to unplug devices such as televisions or rely on outdated appliances that drain energy instead of conserving it. This excess consumption can have harmful implications for the environment, because residential users account for more than 15 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
"Smappee's expansion into the U.S. represents a key step forward in our mission to drive sustainable behavior change," said Stefan Grosjean, CEO and founder. "Our product is designed to make energy intelligence more accessible, by helping everyday users manage their consumption in a smarter way. We believe that Smappee's data is more accurate, more granular and more actionable than any alternative on the market."
Smappee gathers real-time energy data through a single clip-on sensor that attaches to a user's main power line. Through this sensor, Smappee is able to gather accurate information about how much energy and money various appliances and devices consume. The product comes with a free companion mobile app, which presents both real-time and historical information in a user-friendly way. This information empowers consumers to engage and react, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and cost. Each Smappee also includes a wireless Comfort Plug, which syncs with the app to allow consumers to turn appliances and devices on or off remotely.
The company is headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium and was recently honored with the Deloitte Technology Fast50 Rising Star 2014 Award, an annual selection of the most promising startups within the country.
Until now, Americans have primarily relied on end-of-month billing that includes a retroactive summary of energy usage, with little additional detail. Smappee offers a smart and objective alternative to the status quo. Smappee makes thousands of measurements per second, analyzing individual devices rather than only providing a summary of the total energy entering and exiting the grid.
The difference is quantifiable. Real-time, device-specific data - such as that gathered by Smappee - can help a four-person home reduce monthly energy bills by an average of 12 percent, whereas enhanced billing services only lead to average savings of 3.8 percent.
"Smappee's information does more than save money - it also encourages sustainable behavior change," said Grosjean. "With Smappee, we want to show that individuals, not just businesses, can play a key role in tackling this issue, by reducing unnecessary consumption in their homes. Every small change we make is one piece of a larger and more significant puzzle."
Smappee delivers many benefits beyond its core measurement capabilities. Through the mobile app, available for both Android and iOS devices, users can develop customized commands known as "triggers" that instruct devices about how to interact with one another. For example, users could set their coffee maker to start heating up 10 minutes before an alarm goes off, or they could turn on a slow cooker at the same time each day. Consumers can also use the Comfort Plugs to remotely turn devices on or off, bringing an added layer of convenience.
Smappee also brings peace of mind. Electricity can act as a signal, assuring users that family members have arrived home safely or alerting them of the presence of intruders. For example, if a burglar walks into a home and switches on a light, Smappee can send a notification to the user immediately.
Smappee's advanced integration ensures that consumers receive a 360-degree understanding of energy use. In addition to devices and appliances, Smappee is also able to measure the productivity of solar panels, so consumers can monitor the total amount of renewable energy that is generated and consumed. The sensor can also detect when an electric vehicle is plugged in, to give drivers a clear picture of how much it costs to charge.
Availability and pricing: Smappee can be purchased for a one-time fee of $249, or $349 with the solar panel monitoring option, excluding taxes. It works without a monthly subscription, so there are no ongoing costs beyond the one-off purchase price of the product. U.S. consumers can find more information and order Smappee online. Smappee will be available shortly via Smappee Partners and other retail outlets.
