For those who haven’t heard of The Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA), it is a coalition of 17 renowned global brands revolutionizing the connected home ecosystem. Last year at the Consumer Electronics Show (2023), the HCA released HCA Interface Specification 1.0, a new industry standard for Cloud-to-Cloud (C2C) interoperability across long-life appliances, HVAC systems, and TVs within the connected home ecosystem. At this year’s CES (2024), the trade association announced its latest release, the HCA Energy Management Specification 1.0. This groundbreaking specification is poised to redefine energy efficiency and interoperability within long-life appliances, HVAC systems, and TVs. The HCA Energy Management Specification 1.0 promises real-world energy and cost savings for consumers while fostering secure and seamless device integration.

HCA's mission is to empower appliance manufacturers with the tools to enhance user experiences, benefit utilities and aggregators, and ultimately create value for consumers. By enabling easy access to critical data from high-energy-consumption appliances, such as power usage insights, HCA empowers users to optimize energy consumption effectively.

The significance of this achievement becomes even more apparent with the addition of new members Hartford Steam Boiler and Midea Group to the Home Connectivity Alliance. These industry leaders bring unique expertise and innovation to the coalition.

Here is a little overview of the new HCA members:

• Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB): Renowned for its equipment breakdown insurance and inspection services, HSB's engineering and technology-related services make it a valuable asset to HCA. It recognizes the intricate relationship between home systems and technology, paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future.
• Midea Group: As the world's largest manufacturer of consumer and major appliances, Midea Group is committed to innovative and sustainable solutions. By joining forces with HCA, Midea Group aims to enhance the connected home experience for consumers worldwide.

The HCA Energy Management Specification 1.0 is available for public viewing on the HCA website and open-sourced to HCA members. To explore these groundbreaking developments and take advantage of HCA specifications, companies are encouraged to visit www.homeconnectivityalliance.org/membership and become a member.

HCA demos "any app to any device" capabiliities at CES Show iStock

Why are big companies joining the HCA?

According to the HCA, HVAC, smart appliance, and TV manufacturers are joining the trade association because HCA recognizes the critical intersection of innovation, sustainability, and consumer experience. They believe that HCA will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the smart home industry, contributing to innovation and sustainability while creating seamless, user-friendly, connected home experiences.

Here is what we heard from some of the HCA member companies about their commitment to this transformative journey:

Arçelik: "We believe that the intersection of innovation and sustainability is not only a business imperative but a key driver in creating a smarter, greener, and more connected future for homes worldwide." - Hakan Bulgurlu, CEO, Arçelik

Hartford Steam Boiler: "Only by working together as an alliance will we be able to pave the road to a more efficient and sustainable future." - John Riggs, Chief Technology Officer, Senior Vice President Applied Technology Solutions for HSB

LG Electronics: "We look forward to seeing services and new business models to enhance the experience for the consumer." - Jung Ki-hyun, Executive Vice President and Head of Platform Business Center.

Midea Group: "We believe that HCA will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the smart home industry, and we are excited to be a part of this mission." - Baker Bi, Head of International Intelligence, AI Innovation Center, Midea Group

Resideo: “There are many large energy loads in the home, and it will take a joint effort across many industries to help build a resilient electric grid. Resideo and our grid services experts helped design the HCA energy management specification with this resiliency in mind, and we look forward to working with manufacturers to support critical energy shifting services on the cloud-to-cloud platform trusted by nearly 300 U.S. utility partners and appliance manufacturers." - Linsey Miller, HCA Board Director and SVP, Business Development and Strategic Marketing, Resideo

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Samsung: "The new energy management specifications will help to foster new untapped opportunities to collaborate with the energy industry to save consumers money and accelerate Samsung’s vision for a more sustainable home." - Moohyung Lee, Executive Vice President and Global Head of the Consumer Experience Team of the Device eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics

Trane: "Building out these capabilities will allow our customers to choose where and how they interact with our products and lay the foundation for whole-home energy management in the future." - Erin Joy, Vice President of Digital for Trane Technologies Residential HVAC and Supply

Vestel: "We will continue to work in cooperation with HCA to integrate these efforts into the lives of consumers." - Ergün Güler, CEO, Vestel

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The Home Connectivity Alliance is on a mission to create a smarter, more connected, and sustainable future for homes across the globe. To learn more about HCA's initiatives and vision, visit www.homeconnectivityalliance.org.

In a world where energy efficiency and seamless connectivity matter more than ever, HCA is leading the way to a brighter, more sustainable future for your home. Their members will collectively drive innovation, sustainability, and improved consumer experiences within the connected home ecosystem because collaboration is essential for achieving a more efficient and sustainable future for all.

Check out The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility find engine. It can help you find, buy, and connect any smart device, appliance or system. You can also find other compatible products that work with your existing smart home ecosystem, including Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.

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