Direct Energy App to Let Customers to Learn About "Smart Thermostat"

One of the features that will be put at customers' fingertips through Direct Energy's new mobile app is the ability to, "Learn about Smart Thermostat" [sic], according to the app's webpage.

Direct Energy declined to comment on the "Smart Thermostat." Notably, learning about the "Smart Thermostat" was not listed as a feature of the app in a news release promoting the app, but was listed on a list of features on the app's website. However, upon downloading the app, Matters could not find any information about the "Smart Thermostat" on the app.

It's therefore unclear whether the "Smart Thermostat" is going to be a smart thermostat offered by Direct Energy in connection with its electricity and/or natural gas plans (whether the thermostat be branded as Direct Energy or a third-party), or if the app is being designed to work with a variety of third-party smart thermostats that the customer may purchase independent of their energy supply.

Direct Energy's language suggests it's the former (a bundled offering), by informing customers they can "Learn about Smart Thermostat" rather than smart thermostats (plural), and also due to making the term a proper noun, but this is not dispositive.

Direct Energy had previously piloted a Home Energy Manager, which was a tablet that allowed customers to control a variety of appliances, in addition to providing energy usage information. Part of the pilot included the provision of a CT-30 thermostat, an intelligent thermostat with various innovative settings, such as a savings mode that adjusts the thermostat to a customized temperature range — apart from the range set in the "Home" mode.