SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ayla Networks’ Internet of Things (IoT) technology has enabled Aquanta Inc. to introduce the Aquanta Water Heater Controller, a first-of-its-kind system that enables remote and convenient control of nearly any existing water heater via a smartphone or web-enabled device. The Aquanta retrofittable water heater controller gives consumers convenient, cost-effective control over one of the most important energy and water consumers in their homes: their water heaters.
Aquanta worked with IoT experts from Ayla Networks to build the cloud connection that controls its retrofit water heater product, which is designed to help consumers save money and become more energy- and water-efficient.
“Ayla’s IoT platform allows manufacturers such as Aquanta to get secure, reliable connected products to market without having to become IoT technology experts themselves,” said David Friedman, CEO and co-founder of Ayla Networks. “Aquanta has taken an innovative approach to the IoT market, by providing a retrofit product that allows people to bring an appliance they already own into the 21st century.”
Aquanta estimates that retrofitting water heaters with the Aquanta controller can enable consumers to enjoy 10 percent to 30 percent in energy savings because they heat water only when needed. In addition, utilities can use the Aquanta water heater controller as part of their programs to help control energy demand to the grid, which is important for achieving mandates to reduce energy usage and avoid grid overloads.
The Aquanta controller installs easily onto a home’s existing gas or electric water heater. Its enabling technology accurately measures both energy going into a water heater as well as the energy being used. Aquanta’s software uses this sensor data to “learn” and control the water heating according to a resident's actual usage patterns.
“There are 125 million water heaters in North American homes and small businesses, and no one else is offering an easy retrofit to bring these inefficient appliances into the smart grid,” said Aquanta CEO Matt Carlson. “Ayla provided us with the comprehensive IoT technologies we required in a cost-effective model that fit our needs. Now, we’re making dumb water heaters smart; helping homeowners save money and energy; and playing a role in making the emerging smart grid a reality.”
The Aquanta retrofittable water heater controller is the latest example of how Ayla IoT technology is helping manufacturers of all kinds to participate in the growing IoT market, reaping benefits for themselves and for their customers. Other recent smart home products leveraging Ayla IoT platform technology include Hunter Fan ceiling fans, Fujitsu air conditioners, Kidde fire safety devices, LockState door locks and Dimplex electric heaters.
The Ayla IoT platform provides comprehensive device, cloud and mobile app connectivity for any kind of product. Ayla allows manufacturers to get secure, reliable connected products to market with minimal time, cost and effort—and to improve multiple aspects of their business based on the real-world knowledge gained from data generated by the connected devices.
About Aquanta
McLean, VA-based Aquanta Inc. develops innovative products and technologies that address climate change and enhance energy efficiency, with specific focus on the energy usage and inefficiencies inherent in water heating and plumbing systems. For more information on Aquanta, visit http://www.aquanta.io.
About Ayla Networks
Ayla Networks empowers leading manufacturers by simplifying the inherent complexity of the Internet of Things (IoT), enabling them to turn their products into smart connected systems and transform their businesses to compete in the game-changing world of connectivity. Delivered as a cloud platform-as-a-service (PaaS), Ayla’s Agile IoT platform provides the flexibility and modularity to enable rapid changes to practically any type of device, cloud or app environment. Ayla Networks was named a 2015 Cool Vendor in the Internet of Things by Gartner, Inc. Ayla’s investors include 3NOD, Acorn Pacific, Ants Capital, Cisco, Crosslink Capital, the International Finance Corporation, Linear Venture, Mitsui, SAIF Partners, SJF Ventures and Voyager Capital. For more information, visit www.aylanetworks.com.
