ThinkEco and Best Buy Bring Smart Wireless Control to Window Air Conditioners in New York City

NEW YORK, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ThinkEco, Inc., the energy efficiency firm, is now offering New York City residents an easy way to take control of their air conditioning bills this summer.  Using the modlet smartAC kit – available exclusively at select Best Buy stores throughout New York City – residents will now be able to remotely control their window air conditioners via smartphone app or browser, and preset convenient savings schedules so their rooms are only cooled as needed. Best Buy is offering the modlet smartAC kit in partnership with the coolNYC program (www.coolnycprogram.com), created by ThinkEco and Con Edison.

The coolNYC program combines the modlet smartAC, an easy-to-use energy efficiency product, with an incentivized program that uses real-time energy reduction capabilities to help manage residential peak usage on window air conditioners. It also allows Con Edison customers to help protect the environment by using less energy while keeping their homes cool during the summer heat.

By Memorial Day, Best Buy will be offering modlet smartAC kits for $69.99 for the coolNYC program ($150 MSRP). As a coolNYC partner, the Geek Squad will also be available to support the installation of smartAC kits and get consumers connected, making this experience as easy as possible for everyone. NYC purchasers will receive a $25 rebate upon setting up their smartAC account, and an additional $25 thank you gift at the end of the summer. The $25 thank you is a recurring gift that users will receive each summer that they use the modlet smartAC kit and participate in coolNYC.

"At Best Buy, we believe retail-utility partnerships are critical in the education of our consumers to reduce energy consumption.  We bring innovative technology to our customers, and teach them how easy it can be to help the environment, save money and enhance their lifestyle," said Kris Bowring, senior director of Home and Energy Management at Best Buy. "We are excited to partner with ThinkEco and CoolNYC, and credit them for being a leader in this type of market-based program.  The modlet smartAC fits perfectly with our commitment to educate and assist our customers' concerns about their energy use."

ThinkEco's modlet (http://themodlet.com/demo.html) is a smart outlet that wirelessly combines with the smartAC thermostat. When used together, users can remotely view their current room temperature, change the target temperature for the room, or simply turn the window air conditioner unit on/off from any smartphone or browser. In addition, users can preset convenient on/off schedules for their window AC units, so that their rooms are cooled only when needed, and the savings associated with those schedules are tracked.  This transforms the stand-alone window air-conditioner into a smart, networked device that gives users enhanced convenience and control. 

Customers who participate in the coolNYC program also have the opportunity to play a role in maintaining electrical service in NYC during times of heavy usage. When a peak usage event is called, customers can opt-in to have Con Edison adjust the temperature of their air conditioner unit. With over six million window air-conditioner units in Con Edison's service area – which sometimes run unnecessarily when residents are not home – the ability for Con Edison to adjust air-conditioner temperatures remotely during a heat wave could help to manage peak summer demand.

"The modlet smartAC is the only user installable demand-reduction product with a strong consumer and utility benefit," said Mei Shibata, Chief Strategy Officer of ThinkEco, Inc.  "What this ease-of-use enables is an entirely new way for leading retailers, like Best Buy, to play a pivotal role in the distribution of utility-sponsored solutions by partnering with utilities and technology providers."

About ThinkEco, Inc.
New York City-based ThinkEco, Inc. is a leading provider of easy-to-use energy efficiency solutions for homes and businesses. Its patented modlet system is a networked and scalable smart-plug platform that wirelessly connects any plug load to ThinkEco's robust cloud solution, powered by proprietary algorithms. The modlet provides the remote metering of plug-load power consumption in real time, and enables users to set savings schedules to better control their energy use and quantify savings.

For more information, visit www.thinkeco.com or follow the company on Twitter @ThinkEco and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThinkEco.

About Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is a leading multi-channel global retailer and developer of technology products and services. Every day our employees - 167,000 strong - are committed to helping deliver the technology solutions that enable easy access to people, knowledge, ideas and fun. We are keenly aware of our role and impact on the world, and we are committed to developing and implementing business strategies that bring sustainable technology solutions to our consumers and communities. For information about Best Buy, visit www.bby.com and to shop at Best Buy, visit www.bestbuy.com.

SOURCE ThinkEco, Inc.