Smart appliances are appliances equipped with monitoring systems that help promote energy efficiency and reliability. The monitoring systems communicate with the local power grid and adjust their operation based on the availability of power. The appliances generally monitor power availability itself, but in cases where power prices fluctuate with demand (that is, where prices are higher during higher demand), they can also be set to adjust based on the current price of power.
For example, during periods of peak demand or high prices, a smart clothes dryer might periodically turn off its heating element while continuing to tumble the clothes. A smart air conditioner might periodically turn off its fan. These small changes save energy, with little perceptible difference for the person using the appliance. Multiplied across millions of homes, these small steps can save large amounts of energy.
Smart appliances are not very common yet, but the ideas of smart power and smart appliances are gaining popularity as energy prices rise. Programs have been popping up around the U.S., like the Pacific Northwest National Lab’s GridWise Program and Xcel Energy’s Smart Grid City program.
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