Consumers Save Energy with Near Field Communication & Cotherm
Electric radiator manufacturers save their customers money and boost their sales with innovative NFC-enabled products that provide...
- Energy savings
- Ease-of-use
- Affordability
- Conformance with new EU regulations
To help consumers control energy costs, Cotherm integrated Near Field Communication (NFC) in their temperature controllers to make advanced energy-saving features easily accessible by anyone from a smartphone app.
With the IoTize TapNLink modules featuring STMicroelectronics' ST25DV NFC tag, creating the proof-of-concept for market validation and rapid industrialization was done in record time.
The Challenge of Accessibility
Temperature regulators for electric space heaters have continued to evolve since their introduction, transforming from simple mechanical controls to PID electronic controls. Today, open window detection, adaptive start control, and presence detection are just a few features adopted as a result of the EU Ecodesign regulation of 2018. These make electric space heaters much more energy efficient, reducing consumption by up to 15% (Source ADEME).
How can manufacturers make these new features more readily accessible to any user?
The tiny LCD displays and push-buttons offered on entry-level products for programming radiators were time consuming and uncomfortable to use, causing most users to abandon them. These LCDs proved to be as unsatisfying as they were expensive.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have also been offered. But, these products were limited to technophiles because of the initial set up that required connection codes and network knowledge.
Saving Energy with NFC
With energy costs increasing, it's astonishing that fewer than 20% of electric radiator owners use the programmable controls that reduce consumption by up to 15%.
Looking for a solution to this dilemma, Cotherm discovered Near Field Communication and mobile apps, which make communication with smartphones very easy to use with many benefits:
- No pairing codes: just touch the NFC tag with a smartphone and communication starts.
- No radio emissions: NFC doesn't emit an advertising signal.
- No data leaks: data is exchanged only at very close range.
- No installation or set up: communication works immediately with Android and iOS phones.
- Direct app activation: tapping a smartphone to the NFC tag automatically launches the app.
- Accessible to the whole family: no need for a master account or cloud access.
The NFC Proof-of-Concept
Cotherm, who are experts in temperature regulation for heating appliances, adopted the IoTize solution for NFC. This solution supported their rapid implementation and deployment of new NFC-enabled controllers. The controllers interface with smartphones to provide a more accessible and easy-to-use graphical user interface for using programmable features.
Starting with IoTize's NFC module as a reference design, Cotherm quickly integrated NFC into a proof-of-concept that was used in demonstrations and a market survey of their DIY distribution networks. The enthusiasm for the controller design allowed Cotherm to rapidly validate the concept and transform it into a finished product called ERD Easy Touch.
Key Numbers for ERD Easy Touch
- 2 new controller models (dial or display)
- 2 new user interface apps
- 12-month development from POC to product
- 4,6 of 5 rating in European market survey
- Introduced March 2021
Solution for Instant NFC Integration
IoTize wireless designs and software ecosystem accelerate implementation and deployment of new devices that connect to smartphone apps.
IoTize's TapNLink wireless modules pre-implement the features required for connected appliances. For example, adding NFC to an existing electronic design is a simple matter of configuring features. No coding is required.
Plus, with its ST25DV dynamic NFC tag, TapNLink achieves the winning combination of responsiveness, low-power consumption and price that is required for mass market appliances.
TapNLink wireless modules can be added to a design as a component or used as reference designs that are fully embedded in the manufacturer's electronic design.
To create a user interface, TapNLink hardware is equally adapted for use with hybrid apps that are created using IoTize's App Creator and automatic generator, or with native apps that are created using other app design tools. With App Creator, designers immediately create their first apps without writing a single line of code. The resulting apps are based on industry standard, cross-platform tools for creating Android and iOS mobile applications.
ERD Easy Touch Controllers
The success of NFC controllers and mobile apps with installers and owners of electric radiators is opening other applications in heating and control of energy consumption. NFC and apps offer the ease-of-use and low price that are ideal for these features that are crucial but only used2 ot 3 tiñes per year.
Today, OEM manufacturers of electric heating appliances can get Cotherm's ERD controllers for integration in their products. For more information about ERD Easy Touch controllers and apps, contact Cotherm.