The Integrated Home Competition is seeking connected devices and systems that help consumers manage their energy use. Some qualities and capabilities that are desired are listed; these may not apply to all product types.

• Meet any applicable CEE or ENERGY STAR^® efficiency criteria.
• Energy management, which encompasses features that reduce the product’s overall energy consumption levels either through core product functionality or influencing customer behavior.
  • Energy consumption information for users, including remote access via an app, website, or home energy management system.
  • Programmable settings, such as vacation, away, or nighttime modes that reduce energy use.
  • Sensing capabilities to optimize product or system operation based on external inputs, such as temperature, light levels, or occupancy.
  • Ongoing, active management of settings through features like automatic scheduling or learning-based schedule creation based on customer preferences and habits.
• The ability to receive and respond to a utility or third-party signal (i.e., pricing signal or curtailment signal).
• Demand response (DR) capabilities, defined as the ability to delay, curtail, or increase operation to enable load shifting from peak use or low supply periods to low use or high supply periods.
• Data sharing with consumers and consumer-authorized third parties, including operational status and energy consumption reporting.
• Customization, such as the ability for consumers to input preferences and parameters related to product operation and the ability to tailor notifications for events like device status, system failures, power surges, or planned device shutdowns.
• Ability to operate seamlessly with other connected devices, systems, and platforms within the home.
• Ability to collect, aggregate, and analyze performance data that enables ongoing energy savings measurement and verification, while being mindful of consumer personal privacy concerns.

It is not expected that entries will include all of the above capabilities; rather, products should include measures that save energy and provide a positive consumer experience. Additional capabilities beyond this list will also be considered in the judging process. Products with greater functionality generally receive more points.

(see the Judging Criteria for more information)