Smart-home firm wins low-carbon award

AlertMe, a UK-based smart-home technology firm, recently won a £40,000 Shell Springboard Award for its home energy-saving service.

The award, offered by Royal Dutch Shell Plc, recognises innovative, low-carbon business ideas in the UK.

Due to launch soon, AlertMe’s Home Energy Savings kit uses Smart Plugs, a heating controller and an electricity meter clip to wirelessly send information about home energy consumption to a user keyfob.  The system can be used to automatically adjust heating or cooling when the house is empty, or to turn off appliances that were accidentally left on.

The company says the kit could reduce the average UK homeowner’s heating bill by up to 20 percent.

AlertMe already offers a similar wireless control system for home security. Founded in 2006, the company is based in Cambridge.