Ford Motor Company has announced that it can help show a typical American family how to reduce their electricity bills and carbon footprint by “integrating home appliance technology with a plug-in vehicle to achieve an energy-efficient lifestyle.” This endeavor is a collaboration by The Ford-led MyEnergi Lifestyle, Eaton, SunPower, Whirlpool, Infineon, and Nest Labs.
These companies worked with researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology and have created a computer model that calculates energy usage and claims to be able to result in a 60 percent energy cost reduction and more than 9,000 kg of CO2 (55 percent reduction) in each family.
“More than ever, cars are sharing the same energy source as the home,” says Mike Tinskey , global director of Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure, Ford Motor Company, in a statement. “The time is right for the home appliance and transportation sectors to converge if we are going to tackle a myriad of sustainability challenges in a rapidly changing world.”
According to the press release, the key factors in an energy efficient lifestyle include:
- Electric vehicles, like the all-new Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, are more efficient and can charge during the low-cost electricity hours
- Appliance efficiency has improved dramatically over the past decade
- Hot water heaters are more efficient and use nighttime electricity
- Connected appliances can use less energy during peak periods
- The Nest Learning Thermostat programs itself and automatically saves energy when a homeowner is away
- Efficient, reliable and affordable rooftop solar systems enable families to generate renewable energy and save money on utility bills
- Connected devices enable smarter use of energy
“As innovation in home electrical technology advances, so does the need for safe, reliable and efficient power distribution,” says Joanne Edwards , vice president and general manager, Residential Division, Eaton, in a press release. “At the same time, giving homeowners the tools to tap into the details of distributed power for their homes allows them to modify their behavior and further reduce energy consumption.”
