Collaboration
AlertMe, which is developing domestic energy-saving systems for homes, has reached an agreement with the energy company British Gas under which the two companies will field-test home energy management technologies.
This agreement follows AlertMe’s closing in June of a £8 million second round funding backed by Good Energies, Index Ventures, SET Venture Partners and VantagePoint Venture Partners.
The AlertMe.com Energy Kit is connected to the Internet via a domestic broadband connection, providing an online service that can be used from home, work or while on holiday. It constantly measures and controls individual appliances within the home as well as measuring and managing overall energy usage. The home-owner can then view this information and change settings.
The first product to be trialled with British Gas will be an automated heating control system, which makes it easy for consumers to adjust their home heating for minimum energy costs, without compromising comfort. The system allows users to alter their heating at any time from the Web or any mobile phone. For example, it is possible to turn on heating before getting home, or control it when away on holiday. The service could be made available to British Gas customers by the end of 2009.
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