GE is seeing increased demand for its suite of smart appliances.

Billions of dollars in stimulus funding sparking demand for smart appliances.

We hear lots of talk about smart meters and smart grids. But these energy-saving devices and systems don’t reach their full smartness potential without the addition of smart appliances. And with billions of dollars from the stimulus funneling into smart grid research and pilot programs, companies like GE are seeing increased demand for smart appliances that can receive real-time price signals and react accordingly.

“Now that the stimulus grants have been awarded, utilities are moving forward with their plans – both those that did and did not receive funding,” said Kevin Nolan, Vice President of Technology for GE Consumer & Industrial.

So-called ’smart appliances’ receive a signal from the utility company‘s smart meter which alerts the appliances and the consumers when peak electrical usage and rates are in effect. By receiving real-time price signals from the utility, appliances can be programmed to avoid energy usage during that time or operate on a lower wattage

GE currently makes refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, microwaves, front load washer and dryers and hybrid water heaters that are smart technology enabled.

The refrigerator delays the defrost cycle from occurring during peak hours and goes into energy saving mode. Microwave ovens power down slightly by reducing wattage used when operated during peak hours. The “smart” dishwasher can delay starting the cycle to off peak times. Choosing to delay laundry to off peak time can help consumers meet their own energy efficiency targets.

Participants in GE’s smart appliance pilot projects across the U.S. have reported as much as a 20% savings on energy cost, just from using appliances when it costs less to do so.

GE expects that pace of adoption for their smart appliances is expected to grow as more currently pending Federal grant applications are approved.