Virtual Peaker Adds New Amazon Smart Thermostat

First Distributed Energy Platform to Fully Integrate New Device

Louisville, KY – Virtual Peaker, a cloud-based SaaS company that empowers modern utilities with the friendliest distributed energy resources platform on the planet, today announced Amazon Smart Thermostat will be available to its utility clients across the country. As a trusted industry partner, Virtual Peaker helped road test the ENERGY STAR® certified thermostat with built-in demand response functionality and is the first distributed energy platform to fully integrate the new Amazon Smart Thermostat.

“After collaborating closely on testing for the Amazon Smart Thermostat, Virtual Peaker is excited to now deploy the new technology with our utility clients large and small,” said William (Bill) Burke, the founder, and CEO of Virtual Peaker. “We’re proud of our nimble and flexible development team for helping bring this energy-saving partnership to life, and together we’re building a more connected world and creating a clean energy future.”

Amazon Smart Thermostat customers can participate in utility-sponsored demand response programs without sacrificing comfort. Typically, the HVAC system is the largest household contributor to carbon emissions, but the Amazon Smart Thermostat uses Alexa’s intelligence to keep homes comfortable and energy-efficient all day. By tapping into consumers’ existing Amazon / Alexa home ecosystem, the device knows when the occupants leave the house or go to bed and automatically raises or lowers the temperature based on Amazon’s “Hunches” feature. The device is compatible with most existing 24V HVAC systems.

The Amazon Smart Thermostat sells for $59.99, and many utilities likely will offer rebates to their customers as part of a new or existing Bring Your Own Thermostat (BYOT) program. For utilities that are already running a BYOT program, Virtual Peaker will upgrade to include the Amazon Smart Thermostat. The device enrollment process is simple and intuitive, and customers who purchase the smart device at retail are automatically prompted to enroll in their local utility’s program.

Virtual Peaker clients, including Northeastern REMC in Columbia City, Indiana, are already leveraging the Amazon Smart Thermostat to manage energy sustainably without sacrificing comfort.

“Northeastern REMC needed a way to reduce rapidly increasing capacity and transmission costs,” said Christopher Todd, director, marketing and communications, Northeastern REMC. “Thanks to Virtual Peaker and the Amazon Smart Thermostat, we’ve seen an increase in load shed and reduced costs during peak demand times due to homeowners’ participation in our Peak Thermostat Program.”

Virtual Peaker clients interested in learning more about the Amazon Smart Thermostat can reach out to support@virtual-peaker.com to discuss program setup, integration, or any other questions.

About Amazon Smart Thermostat 

Amazon Smart Thermostat is a new smart thermostat that works with Alexa to give customers a simple way to keep their home comfortable and energy efficient. Customers can discover eligible rebates from energy providers right from the Amazon Smart Thermostat product page, and enroll their thermostat in available demand response programs through the Alexa app.

Amazon Smart Thermostat is made with Honeywell Home Thermostat Technology and is an ENERGY STAR® and UL ECOLOGO certified device, part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program. It’s now available for $59.99 on Amazon.com and other retailers.

About Virtual Peaker

Virtual Peaker is a cloud-based distributed energy platform that empowers modern utilities to build the grid of the future and meet global decarbonization goals. The SaaS company’s platform suites unify all aspects of DER management, from DERMS to customer engagement and load forecasting. Virtual Peaker is a remote-first company based in the United States. For more information, visit www.virtual-peaker.com and follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter (@VirtualPeaker).

MEDIA CONTACTS

Virtual Peaker:
Mark Ray | mark@markrayassociates.com | 802-355-0145
Amber Mullaney | amullaney@virtual-peaker.com | 502-689-0249