Virtual Peaker Partners with Flair to Bring Room-by-Room Temperature Control Technology to Utility Customers

Louisville, KY, and San Francisco, CA–Virtual Peaker and Flair announced a partnership to integrate Virtual Peaker’s cloud-based residential energy demand response platform with Flair’s climate-control technology that makes mini-splits—the world’s most popular HVAC device—smart. The first deployment for the new partnership is a pilot initiative with Energy Trust of Oregon.

The Flair Puck is the only fully wireless smart thermostat for ductless heat pumps (mini splits), window ACs, and other IR-controlled HVAC devices. The Puck uses machine learning to adjust temperatures based on room conditions and occupancy. Its sophisticated software features room-by-room temperature control, seven-day scheduling, demand response capabilities, and Room Sense technology to save money and keep homeowners comfortable. The Puck controls over 250 brands of mini splits and integrates with popular smart home devices like Alexa, Google Assistant, ecobee, and more.

Virtual Peaker, which works with utilities across the country, sees significant potential for the Flair partnership with its IOU, municipal government, and rural electric coop clients. In the United States, the market for ductless heating and cooling systems in 2020 is estimated at $17.6 billion. That market is expected to more than quintuple to an estimated $104.8 billion by 2027, according to industry data released this summer by market research firm ReportLinker.

Virtual Peaker and Flair are collaborating with Energy Trust of Oregon on a ductless (mini-split) heat pump pilot program. After filling out an application, qualified residential participants receive a $20 gift card, a free Flair Puck, and the opportunity to reduce energy bills while increasing comfort in every room. Energy Trust of Oregon is a nonprofit providing Oregon investor-owned utility customers with energy efficiency and renewable energy services and cash incentives, which complement demand response programs.

“Ductless heating and cooling systems are rapidly increasing in popularity in the States, and they’re already the most common type of air conditioning system in the world,” said William (Bill) Burke, founder, and CEO of Virtual Peaker. “We’re thrilled to partner with Flair because we share the same fundamental business philosophy: Build software and devices that are smart, easy-to-use, save energy, and benefit the environment, and customers will line up to work with you.”

“Our mission is to bring meaningful energy reduction while improving comfort in people’s lives, and we are excited to build on that mission by working with Virtual Peaker and Energy Trust of Oregon,” added Dan Myers, co-founder, and CEO of Flair. “We believe that our work together is just the start of a rewarding partnership for the two companies, utilities and their customers, and our planet.”

About Virtual Peaker

Virtual Peaker is a cloud-based energy management platform that is helping utilities build the grid of the future. Using the internet of things, Virtual Peaker connects to any in-home smart device to allow utilities to run residential demand response programs, develop new revenue streams, and exceed their customer engagement goals. Virtual Peaker is based in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information, visit www.virtual-peaker.com/ or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter (@VirtualPeaker).

About Flair

Flair develops smart vents and wireless thermostats that are designed to bring meaningful energy reduction while improving comfort in people’s lives. The company’s smart vents and wireless thermostats help to dynamically route climate-controlled air to occupied rooms and easily integrates with mini-splits, window air-conditioners, and portables, enabling users to improve occupant comfort, control room temperature, and increase energy efficiency. Flair is based in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.flair.co or follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@Flair).

MEDIA CONTACTS

Virtual Peaker

Mark Ray | mark@markrayassociates.com | 802-355-0145
Jeff Quigley | jquigley@virtual-peaker.com | 781-696-0980

Flair

Nishant Batsha, Ph.D. | nishant@flair.co | 628-400-2204