ThinkEco(www.thinkeco.com), a New York City-based company that develops easy-to-use energy efficiency technologies for homes and businesses, will show the home version of its flagship product, the modlet®, at the Consumer Electronics Show.
The modlet—short for modern outlet—is the first wirelessly-communicating intelligent outlet that saves consumers money by reducing energy waste from plugged-in appliances and other consumer electronics.
ThinkEco's modlet will be available for home use this spring with an MSRP of $50 for a starter kit that includes a two-plug modlet and a USB receiver.
"There are more appliances and consumer electronics in homes today than ever before, and many draw power all the time, even if they are not being used. This wastes energy quietly and invisibly, in stark contrast to the very visible waste associated with other resources such as keeping your faucet on or idling your car," said Jun Shimada, president and CEO of ThinkEco, Inc. "The good news is that the modlet can help to eliminate this wasteful use of power by intelligently scheduling outlets to automatically shut off power to plugged-in devices when they are not needed, and then turn them back on at a pre-set time based on historic usage patterns."
In the home, the modlet is expected to pay for itself through the energy savings, on average, within six to nine months. Power consumption is controlled through the modlet's web-based interface, which allows users to see where they are wasting energy, and empowers them to take immediate action by accepting modlet-generated savings-plan recommendations.
"The patent-pending modlet was designed from day one with ease-of-use in mind," says Shimada. "It takes just a few minutes to install on a consumer's own home computer, and works with any existing appliance to give it energy-saving smart-home capabilities. The modlet for home comes with additional consumer-convenience features, such as smart-phone control capabilities."
ThinkEco's modlet was named an International CES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree. In addition to previews at the ThinkEco booth, the modlet will be displayed in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention at CES in the Innovations Showcase.
"ThinkEco makes it easy to save energy and money without worrying about who turned off the television or the computer, because the modlet does it for you," added Shimada. "The modlet enables energy efficiency with minimal effort and cost and also helps consumers make smarter choices about their future appliance and consumer electronics purchases."
