The explosion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has been a boon for enterprises in all industries, providing new opportunities to add ease and optimization into daily processes using artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. AI and its automated capabilities have already greatly impacted sectors such as manufacturing and healthcare, providing enhanced efficiencies. Yet, one industry where AI truly has a positive influence is the energy sector, most notably through the facilitation of home automation tools.
Home automation refers to a network of hardware, communication, and electronic interfaces that, thanks to IoT technology, work to integrate everyday devices with one another via the Internet. Usually, each device has sensors and is connected through WiFi so that they can be managed from a smartphone or tablet, anywhere and anytime. The technology offers consumers increased comfort, convenience, and safety measures through the sensors and controllers they're given access to.
However, the most prominent benefits home automation has to offer relate to optimizing a consumer's energy efficiency. The technology provides homeowners with the ability to remotely power off systems and appliances when they aren't in use, as well as actively monitoring systems and arming the homeowner with in-depth, detailed knowledge, insight, and guidance to achieve greater control over their energy usage.
This comes at a critical time when more than 30 million U.S. households are energy insecure, meaning they cannot adequately meet household energy needs. Thankfully, as home automation becomes more widespread and readily available, local governments and community organizations are quickly looking for ways to adopt and implement the technology on a large scale to empower their consumers better and enhance their energy usage.
One such example of this is already underway, as Hub Controls, the developer and provider of an award-winning automated personal energy management system, recently announced they have completed a successful pilot in Binghamton, New York, with Greater Opportunities, an individual and family services enterprise. Following the successful pilot, Hub Controls will deploy across all Greater Opportunities properties.
"Our pilot with Greater Opportunities is evidence that Low-to-Moderate Income communities can benefit greatly by simply installing Hub Controllers," said Oliver Hynes, Founder of Hub Controls, which last year expanded to serve energy companies, building management companies, public housing organizations, and consumers in the United States, after years of success in Ireland.
"Greater Opportunities is both an inspiring and effective organization, and together, we will provide hundreds with a powerful tool that ensures optimal energy use and savings."
The Hub Controls pilot program is designed to enable building owners and service providers to have a no-cost, no-risk trial of the Hub Controller before committing to full-scale installation. Hub Controls bears 100% of the installation, service, and data management cost of the first 5 Hub Controllers.
"Energy can be extremely pricey, with electricity costs rising 32% over the past three years and natural gas a staggering 89% over the past five years. Hub Controls addresses this problem, making affordable energy more accessible and helping service providers, building owners, and residents by providing a system that is affordable, easy for service providers to install, and intuitive to use," said Mark Silvanic, CEO of Greater Opportunities.
With Greater Opportunities, the trial was conducted over 90 days, in which pilot hubs were installed as replacement thermostats across various apartment units. The results of the trial indicated user savings of over 45%, a significant saving on the monthly heating bills. Hub Controls communicates the results and savings in real time through the Hub dashboard and app.
"Hub Controller is an example of a very accessible on-ramp to energy savings. It is a reliable and inexpensive system that is continually self-learning, so consumers simply set their basic parameters, and the system then monitors and adapts to the homeowner's preferred comfort level to ensure energy is never wasted," continued Silvanic.
Along with the successful pilot, Hub Controls was recently selected for Uptake Alliance's inaugural startup cohort and is participating in its innovation program, which is designed to facilitate and propel startups to secure commercial agreements, boost revenue, assemble exceptional teams, and secure funding.
Launched in September 2023, Uptake Alliance aims to serve as the gateway to New York State for climate tech startups, facilitating their growth through valuable industry connections, strategic partnerships, and assistance in securing funding for the deployment of GHG-reducing technologies. The initiative, administered by ADL Ventures and supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), is accessible to startups worldwide, serving as a centralized hub for climate tech entities interested in doing business in New York State.
"Hub Controls' pilot marks a significant step in democratizing access to energy savings and advancing sustainability," said Gillian Francis, Head of Partnerships at Uptake Alliance. "Their innovative approach not only fosters energy efficiency but also supports underserved communities in their pursuit of affordable energy solutions. We're proud to partner with them as they drive toward an equitable, sustainable future. This program is a testament to the potential of technology in bridging the gap towards net zero goals, especially in low-income communities where the impact is most profound."
Edited by
Greg Tavarez
