Ecobee, a leader in smart home technology, has introduced a new feature to its eco+ Community Energy Savings suite designed to enhance grid stability during extreme weather conditions. This update is particularly relevant as it aims to prevent power outages during heatwaves by allowing the ecobee Smart Thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures. When a North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Emergency Event Alert (EEA) is issued, indicating a potential power outage due to high demand, users will receive a notification on their ecobee Smart Thermostat and accompanying mobile app. The thermostat will then suggest temperature adjustments, typically between 1-4 degrees, for a duration not exceeding four hours. These recommendations are automated but allow users full control to opt out at any time before or during the event.
The initiative underscores Ecobee’s commitment to sustainability and community support. By enabling these slight, temporary adjustments, Ecobee aims to reduce the strain on the power grid, thereby helping to prevent widespread outages. This feature is part of the six eco+ smart features available on Ecobee smart thermostats, which collectively assist in using cleaner energy and can save up to 26% on annual heating and cooling costs.