(Credit: Eaton)Home energy systems are currently under a big transformation as the number of homes taking on whole-home electrification is rising and solar and storage systems are becoming more popular. The emerging trend enables homeowners to view and manage energy usage through smartphone apps.
One such power management provider is Eaton, which offers smart home solutions and the Eaton Brightlayer Home app that allows homeowners to connect wifi devices to make more informed energy decisions. The company recently expanded its portfolio of Wi-Fi wiring devices to be compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
“The proliferation of smart devices continues to deliver new levels of convenience and safety in the home, but the sheer number of options available can be overwhelming for the homeowner to manage,” Paul Ryan, general manager of Connected Solutions at Eaton, said in a statement. “We prioritize interoperability to ensure Eaton devices are compatible with leading smart home systems and introduced Brightlayer Home to streamline the interface for managing energy throughout the home.”
By connecting to already existing devices, Eaton is taking advantage of another ongoing home trend -- consolidation of connected devices. According to a 2022 survey from Deloitte, the average number of devices per home in the U.S. fell to 22 in 2022, down from 25 in 2021.
The home electrification trend is also important for builders and contractors, who can connect to Eaton’s app for simplifying installation options. The connection requires electricians to install and wire Eaton devices that the homeowner can manage from the app. The system can connect to smart breakers, switches, dimmers, receptacles, fan speed controllers, and more, and Eaton plans to expand the capability to include more options, such as electric vehicle charging station management.
Eaton is not the only company offering homeowners a way to electronically control the energy usage of their home. And the increase in usage and interest has garnered millions from investors looking to cash in on the trend.
Recently, Dcbel, a home energy company, announced it secured $50 million in a Series B funding round. The funding will accelerate the delivery of the company’s Home Energy Station, which helps manage energy consumption.
Beyond electric infrastructure connected through wifi within homes, there are other building designs that aim to drastically reduce energy usage. Earlier this month, Rode Architects unveiled its first passive home design in Boston, as well as a plan to build more homes in New England. Passive homes are certified for the reduction of energy use for heating and cooling a home or building, with high energy saving and carbon reduction.
As part of its work to spread whole-home electrification, Eaton has partnered with Rewiring America, an electrification nonprofit that aims to advance electrification education, awareness, and action in the U.S. with its own Home as a Grid initiative. The company’s goal is to outfit homes to both produce and use energy, and effective load control management and energy insights can ensure energy is being used efficiently.
Eaton reported revenues of $20.8 billion in 2022, with customers in more than 170 countries. The company was founded in 1911 and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange for 100 years.
