Nest with Me: Three Applications We Want

Just a week after installation, the Nest Learning Thermostat learns your schedule. When you wake up, it will automatically change the house’s temperature to a comfortable setting, and when you leave for work, it will adjust the temperature to an energy saving level. It remembers when you come home, and knows when you go to sleep to help save energy then, too. It is an exciting product that can help even the busiest energy efficiency gurus and money-savers reduce their home energy use by learning living patterns and allowing mobile app accessibility.

Nest, however, recently came under fire since it is not currently compatible with other home automation products. In response to this criticism, Nest announced an Application Programming Interface (API), which will allow their technology to work with other like-minded products. Below are other mobile apps and technologies that Poplar Network would like to see Nest team up with to achieve total compatibility.

Opower Mobile App

Opower is an energy efficiency company that partners with utility providers to create individualized Energy Reports for utility customers. The reports analyze their homes’ energy usage compared to similar homes. For Opower, the use of social psychology and customer-feedback helps consumers thoughtfully manage their energy resources and ultimately reduce their home energy use.

Opower’s app allows users to reduce home energy use when leaving for work or vacation, pay energy bills, see where and how they use energy in their homes, compare home energy use with their neighbors, and see updates from their utility company - all right on their phone. Clearly, Opower and Nest both have similar goals: reduce energy usage in the home in a smart and streamlined fashion.

Control4 Automation

Control4 is a company that allows users to personalize automation and control solutions for their homes. This company integrates controls for lighting, home theaters, thermostats, security systems, garage doors, and more - and it can all be done from a Control4 device, the 4Sight mobile app, or tablet. Clearly, allowing homeowners to have as much control of their homes as possible leads to smarter home energy usage. The Nest Learning Thermostat could be a critical piece of the Control4 puzzle.

Akuacom Demand Response

Akuacom is a Honeywell company that serves as a leader in the Automated Demand Response software and services market. Akuacom develops user-friendly ways to reduce energy consumption during critical times when demand is high or when market prices are up. For example, during the hottest days of the summer, an increase in air conditioning creates a high demand for electricity on utilities, which can be more than they can supply. Traditionally, to solve this problem, utilities have taken control of HVAC systems and shut off air conditioning during peak times. In order to eliminate this total shut down, Akuacom engages utility customers in programs to voluntarily reduce their energy use at peak times.

An open line of communication between utilities and customers can make for smarter energy use. If Nest were to work with Akuacom, they could help homeowners set their thermostats for more energy efficient temperatures on days with peak energy use. Since an occasional change in temperature settings, like in the case of demand response programs, does not confuse the Nest Learning Thermostat, partnering with Akuacom allows homeowners to have more control over their energy usage.

As Alex Laskey described in his TED Talk, energy efficiency is one of the best ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is because for every unit of energy we use, we waste nine units due to transmission leakage and heat. The good news is, when we save one unit of energy, we also save the other nine. Clearly there are a number of opportunities for partnership when it comes to home energy use reduction. These connections could lead to strong and innovative technologies to help people save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.