If you’ve ever tried to network your smart appliances, you might have noticed that not all of them use the same interface, and not all of them will communicate the same way with your phone or tablet. This can be annoying, as you will often need to manage settings and controls separately through different applications. Luckily, there’s a solution to this problem in the works, by way of the Home Connectivity Alliance.
Why you want your appliances to be smart
Connecting your appliances to the “smart grid”might seem unnecessary to some, but smart appliances do offer some significant advantages. Smart appliances can help you save power by automatically turning off certain features when you’re not using them, reducing the draw on your electrical system. They can also alert you when they require maintenance, which can make them run more efficiently. Many smart appliances can also be remotely accessed by maintenance professionals when you request repairs, so any necessary parts can be sourced in advance of a repair visit.
What the new system offers
Since smart appliances work better for saving power and water if they work together, having them networked to the same system is an advantage when it comes to saving energy. The Home Connectivity Alliance is breaking new ground by cooperating to form a single system that can accommodate multiple brands at once, allowing you to control their power saving features as one system, rather than remember to individually access several separate devices. This allows your whole home to respond to a peak usage event (when there is greater demand on the power grid in your area), or integrate with a demand response program that allows you to save on your utility bill by reducing energy use during certain times of day.
How to know which manufacturers are participating
There are a lot of them: Vestel, LG, Samsung, Frigidair, Haier, Midea, American Standard, Beko, Electrolux, Resideo, and Trane have all pledged their allegiance to this new energy-saving alliance. So far, Samsung, LG, and Vestel have actually implemented the new system, while other manufacturers are still in the process of rolling out products that work within it. Check for labeling on your smart appliance from these brands to see if your new TV or thermostat has the compatible technology.
How existing smart tech works with the new system
Since most people don’t replace all of their appliances at once, especially those with a higher price point like refrigerators, the idea is to build retroactive networking capability into the system so that you can connect your current smart Frigidair to your new smart LG appliances. Check in with your manufacturer before you replace your anything to see if you can get in on the new, streamlined system when you make the switch.
The downside of an integrated control system
Some brands aren’t participating in the Home Connectivity Alliance, including Bosch/Thermador and Whirlpool. If you already own a large appliance from one of these brands, you won’t be able to add it to your energy management interface until it’s time to replace it. In addition, it’s possible that the rollout for the new interface will take a while. If you’re excited to get in on the savings now, you might consider adding a smart plug system to coordinate your appliances instead of upgrading everything at once (which, lower energy use aside, will certainly cost a lot more than you'll save.)