Best Buy, GE team up to fast-track smart device sales

Best Buy has teamed up with GE to fast-track the commercial availability of two energy efficiency technologies singled out last year as part of GE’s ecomagination Challenge.

The companies plan to work together to prepare the VPhase home energy control device and the Suntulit air-conditioning control system for retail testing through select Best Buy channels. GE also plans to make its Nucleus Energy Manager and Brillion-technology-equipped smart appliances available through select Best Buy stores in early 2012.

The Nucleus, which will retail for around $149, is a communication and data storage device that provides people with information about their household electricity use and costs.

Starting later this year, GE will also begin marketing its Energy Smart LED light bulbs at certain Best Buy locations.