These include new services such as SmartThings Energy, but also, for example, washing machine technologies such as smart wash cycles and filters against the release of microplastics from clothes during the laundry process. Samsung is also working with Siemens and Resideo (formerly Honeywell) in the US on a residential community with completely carbon-neutral households.
“Our ambition is to become the most energy-efficient appliance brand globally, and our latest products and partnerships will help make sustainable living a reality for more people and more communities,” said Moohyung Lee, EVP and head of the R&D team of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics.
Energy saving
In doing so, Samsung uses its own smarthome platform SmartThings, to which more than 80 million appliances are now connected worldwide, from refrigerators and washing machines to lighting, vacuum cleaners and surveillance systems. Thanks to the platform’s new energy-saving mode, called AI Energy Mode2, Samsung claims its smart refrigerators can save 15% energy, air conditioners up to 20% and washing machines up to 35%.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) therefore awarded Samsung the first Smart Home Energy Management Systems (SHEMS) certification for the mass market. This certification recognises smart home appliances and services that manage and automate connected devices. They give consumers insight into their energy consumption, encouraging energy-saving behaviour and reducing costs. They also better tune the energy demand of connected appliances, reducing pressure on the power grid.
The EPA has also awarded 260 ENERGY STAR® certificates to Samsung home appliances, including 43 “Most Efficient” recognitions. Earlier, Samsung was one of the few to receive the prestigious ENERGY STAR Corporate Commitment Award.
Zero emissions homes
Ultimately, Samsung’s ambition is to contribute to complete energy independence for households. In the US, in Littleton Colorado, Samsung is launching the Smart City Project together with Siemens and Sterling Ranch. This involves forming a sustainable residential community with 30,000 residents. They will get real-time insight into their energy, water and natural gas use with SmartThings Energy. Throughout the community, solar panels and home batteries will produce and store energy, while energy-efficient devices will reduce power consumption and monitor water use to save resources. These technologies will be coupled with Siemens’ smart infrastructure solutions and Resideo Technologies’ smart home and energy optimisation solutions. The ultimate goal is to achieve a ‘net-zero’ lifestyle.
Furthermore, the possibility of integrating Samsung’s devices with Resideo’s smart grid solutions to connect customers to energy management programmes in California and Texas is being explored. In this way, the companies together aim to make more communities smart-grid ready.
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