ThinkEco and Friedrich Partner to Bring New Customers to Demand Response Programs

NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ThinkEco, http://www.thinkeco.com, a leading Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology and energy efficiency company, and Friedrich, http://www.friedrich.com, a manufacturer of high quality air conditioners, have partnered to enable utilities nationwide to cost-effectively bring new customers into demand side management programs. 

Beginning in summer 2014, utilities will be able to use ThinkEco's award winning platform and turnkey demand response (DR) services to incorporate connected Friedrich Kühl (pronounced "cool") air conditioners directly into DR programs.  Customers will simply use their FriedrichLink WiFi kit to opt into available programs, thereby allowing them to receive incentives and rebates, and help their local utility provide better electricity services.

This technology partnership is already planned for deployment in New York City, enabling Kühl owners to participate in the 2014 coolNYC program, http://www.coolnycprogram.com, a demand response partnership between Con Edison and ThinkEco.

"As more utilities move to find new demand side resources, this partnership will provide value by incorporating networked devices directly into their load control portfolio," said TJ Wheeler, Director of Product Management at Friedrich.  "ThinkEco is an expert at wireless communications technology and working with utilities to create cost effective programs. It's not just about turning ACs on and off, it's also about customer engagement, accurate measurement and reporting, and recruiting and retaining customers for success in a large-scale DR program."

Friedrich's Kühl is a Wi-Fi capable room air conditioner that allows consumers to remotely turn AC units on and off, set fan mode, and create schedules, all via a smartphone or computer.

"Friedrich was the first to introduce a room AC that was compatible with the lifestyle of today's fully connected consumer," said Matthew Tolliver, VP of Business Development at ThinkEco. "This partnership is a perfect example of ThinkEco's approach to the connected home, working with forward-looking companies like Friedrich to seamlessly connect devices, and provide value to consumers, businesses, and utilities."

The ThinkEco platform is based on ThinkEco's smartAC technology, which retrofits room air conditioning units to provide cloud-based metering and temperature-based remote control. ThinkEco has used this technology to create multiple room AC-focused DR programs that have successfully balanced customer comfort with utility load-shedding requirements.

About ThinkEco, Inc.
New York City-based ThinkEco, Inc. is a leading Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology company, providing easy-to-use energy efficiency and demand response solutions for utilities, enterprises, and homes. ThinkEco's patented IoT technology platform enables cloud-based energy efficient and connected home applications powered by intelligent algorithms. ThinkEco also provides an attractive customer user interface and fully functional API with which utility and technology partners can integrate. For more information, visit www.thinkeco.com, follow the company on Twitter @ThinkEco and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThinkEco.

About Friedrich
Founded in 1883, Friedrich has manufactured room air conditioners since 1952. Friedrich is a leading manufacturer of air conditioners and other home environment products.  Constructed of the highest quality components, Friedrich products are built to exacting standards and are among the quietest, most highly featured and most energy-efficient available. If you demand the best, it has to be a Friedrich.  For more information visit www.friedrich.com.

SOURCE ThinkEco, Inc.