iControl thinks consumers want power metering to be free of monthly fees

I blogged about iControl over a year ago.  And, knew they were going to have a home energy solution, but was waiting for the public disclosure.  cnet news.com has a post.  Here is a point which shows iControl has done the research many haven’t.

"We don't see consumers willing to pay a recurring fee for energy management. They're willing to spend $50 for some energy management solution. What's going to change is when utilities go to time-of-use metering (where there are different prices at different times). Then, the economic incentive is much higher," Dawes said.

iControl is expecting that telecommunications and cable providers will start offering Internet-based home security services and then home energy management. But at this point, it's not clear how those companies will make money in energy management, Dawes said.

The power metering services are part of home security services.

iControl adds home energy services to broadband

by Martin LaMonica

Would you be willing to pay for home security services if they could also help cut your electricity bills?

In a nutshell, that's what start-up iControl is pitching to consumers with its energy management software and home automation gear. The Palo Alto, Calif.-based company is also working with utilities to get its energy management system installed as part of smart-grid trials.

On Tuesday, it said that its home automation equipment can now use the Zigbee wireless protocol to communicate with two-way smart meters.

Will home energy management enter through home automation networks?

(Credit: iControl Networks)

It's part of the company's plan to enter the field of home energy efficiency, where there are dozens of companies already vying for business. The path it's taking is either through security service companies, utilities, or broadband suppliers, such as cable companies or phone companies, said CEO Paul Dawes.