There are many situations where the indoor temperature of a smart home can be raised by remote control.
In Houston, Texas, USA, there have been multiple reports that the set temperature of the temperature controller / thermostat for adjusting the room temperature is remotely controlled by the electric power company.
'Woke up sweating': Some Texans shocked to find their smart thermostats were raised remotely | khou.com
Texas residents enraged as energy companies remotely raise temperatures on smart thermostats
https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/06/20/texas-residents-enraged-as-energy-companies-remotely-raise-temperatures-on-smart-thermostats/
Texas power companies are raising smart thermostat temps. Here's why.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2021/06/19/texas-power-companies-raising-smart-thermostat-temps-why/7754658002/
PSA: If you enrolled in an energy saver program, your smart thermostat may adjust itself --The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/18/22540015/psa-energy-saver-program-smart-thermostat-adjust-temperature-heat
The Texas Electricity and Gas Market Surveillance Commission (ECROT) has asked residents of the state to save electricity on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, specifically setting the temperature of the thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. It was recommended to raise it to a degree (about 25.5 degrees Celsius).
Brandon English, who lives in Deer Park, Texas, said that the thermostat was set at 78 degrees Fahrenheit at his home, but when he returned from work, he said, 'It was daytime, so inside the house. It was hot. ' Therefore, Mr. English lowered the thermostat setting temperature around 14:30 and took a nap with his wife and daughters in the afternoon. However, after taking a nap, he said, 'I woke up with sweat.' I should have taken a nap with the thermostat set temperature lowered, but it seems that the inside of the house was 'irresistibly hot', and the thermostat set temperature had risen before I knew it.
According to Mr. English's wife, shortly before taking a nap on the day, ECROT notified that 'remotely control the thermostat setting and enter the power saving time of 3 hours', and set the thermostat at this power saving time. The temperature has been raised by remote control. 'I have a three-month-old daughter who sweats and dehydrates more than an adult,' said English, angry at having raised the thermostat's temperature setting.
The thermostat installed in Mr. English's house was installed a few years ago as a new home security package and participated in a program called 'Smart Savers Texas'. 'SmartSaversTexas' is operated by a company called EnergyHub, which is a household that participates in 'SmartSaversTexas' during periods of high power consumption in exchange for 'right to participate in sweepstakes' and 'monthly discounts on electricity bills'. We have obtained permission to remotely control the set temperature of the thermostat.
After learning about this fact, English said he had canceled his contract with 'SmartSavers Texas' and said, 'I don't want anyone else to control my thermostat.' Similar to Mr. English, there have been multiple reports of remote-controlled home thermostats participating in 'Smart Savers Texas', and some of them had thermostats that should have been turned off. Has also been reported.
In Texas, there are several programs that give the utility the right to remotely control the thermostat's set temperature instead of offering rewards like 'Smart Savers Texas'. For example, the program 'WiFi Thermostat Rewards' It is appealing that participation can save up to $ 85 (about 9400 yen). Since the set temperature of the thermostat of the household participating in these power saving programs was operated by remote control, there are many cases of reporting that 'the set temperature of the thermostat was operated without permission' like Mr. English. is.
Erica Diamond, Vice President of Customer Solutions at EnergyHub, said of 'SmartSavers Texas', 'Increases the temperature of thermostats in homes participating in the program by up to 4 degrees, reduces power consumption and reduces the load on the grid. Customers can unsubscribe from the program at any time, but the thermostat temperature is adjusted remotely to save power only about 2-8 times each summer. '
Related Posts:
in Hardware, Posted by logu_ii