The Integrated Home Competition is seeking connected swimming pool products that help customers manage their energy use. While it is not expected that entries will include all of the following, desired qualities and capabilities include:

• Meet CEE Tier 1 Program Requirements, if applicable, as described in the CEE Residential Swimming Pool Pump Specification. Products that meet CEE Tier 2 or Advanced Tier requirements would be awarded additional points.
• Energy management, which encompasses features that reduce the product’s overall energy consumption levels either through core product functionality or influencing customer behavior.
  • Energy consumption information for users, including remote access via an app, website, or home energy management system.
  • Programmable settings, such as vacation, away, or low power modes that reduce energy use.
  • Ongoing, active management of settings through features like automatic scheduling or learning-based schedule creation based on customer preferences and habits.
• Ability to receive and respond to a utility or third-party signal (such as a pricing signal or curtailment signal).
• Demand response (DR) capabilities, defined as the ability to delay, curtail, or increase operation to enable load shifting from peak use or low supply periods to low use or high supply periods.
• Data sharing with consumers and consumer-authorized third parties, including operational status and energy consumption reporting.
• Ability to send or receive sensor data or user inputs from other connected devices or platforms to optimize pool system operation
• Consumer customization, such as the ability to input preferences and parameters related to product operation and the ability to tailor notifications for events like system failures, power surges, planned device shutdowns, servicing requirements, or upcoming DR events.
• Ability to operate seamlessly with other connected devices, systems, and platforms within the home (including the outdoor home environment).
• Simplified device set up and use, including installation and account set up.
• Intuitive consumer operation through multiple interfaces.

It is not expected that entries will include all of the above capabilities; rather, products should include measures that save energy and provide a positive consumer experience. Additional capabilities beyond this list will also be considered in the judging process. Products with greater functionality generally receive more points.

(see the Judging Criteria for more information)