Samsung Joins Forces with British Gas to Help Customers Power Smarter Energy
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with British Gas, the UK’s leading energy and home services supplier. This long-term venture aims to assist customers in managing their energy consumption more effectively and promoting the adoption of low carbon heating technologies across Britain.
The partnership between Samsung and British Gas will involve the integration of British Gas’ services with Samsung’s SmartThings app. This integration will enable customers to optimize their home appliances, ensuring they use energy during periods of lower cost and demand. By receiving notifications on their smartphones, televisions, or other compatible devices, customers will be informed of the best times to use household appliances to save money.
As part of the collaboration, British Gas is introducing the PeakSave demand flexibility scheme, which includes PeakSave Sundays offering half-price electricity from 11 am to 4 pm every Sunday until the end of February for British Gas customers. Additionally, the scheme includes PeakSave Winter events, encouraging customers to shift their electricity use away from peak times when there is high demand on the energy grid.
Another key aspect of the collaboration is the aim to support customers in decarbonizing their homes. Starting in early 2024, British Gas plans to include Samsung heat pumps in its range of offerings to British households. Heat pumps are vital in achieving the UK’s goal of reaching net zero by 2050. To ensure a seamless transition, specially trained British Gas surveyors and engineers will work closely with consumers, explaining the benefits of heat pumps and conducting on-site installations. Samsung will also support workforce training to upskill the heating industry and meet the expected surge in demand for installations.
To make the transition to low carbon heating more affordable, British Gas offers flexible financing options for customers interested in purchasing heat pumps. Furthermore, the UK Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant has recently been increased to £7,500, providing an attractive package of financial support.
Deborah Honig, Chief Customer Officer at Samsung UK, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating that it would help educate consumers about the benefits of transitioning to heat pumps. She highlighted the SmartThings app’s role in managing energy use efficiently and empowering customers to take control of their homes and energy consumption.
Catherine O’Kelly, Managing Director of British Gas Energy, emphasized the venture’s significance in providing simple and affordable solutions to help customers reduce their energy bills and carbon emissions. She highlighted their shared commitment to supporting the UK’s net zero drive and the pivotal role of new technologies in achieving that goal.
Chanwoo Park, Executive Vice President at Samsung Global, highlighted British Gas’ position as a trusted and long-standing brand, making it the perfect partner for their innovative technology business. He highlighted the power of the SmartThings platform in enabling customers to analyze their behaviors and make informed changes to optimize their routines and energy usage.
Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, commended Samsung and British Gas for teaming up to help more households benefit from greener energy. He highlighted the significant increase in applications for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant since its recent expansion, demonstrating the growing interest in heat pumps among UK households.
With this collaboration, Samsung and British Gas are set to revolutionize the way customers manage their energy consumption and contribute to a greener future. By combining their strengths and expertise, the two companies are paving the way for innovative solutions that prioritize sustainability without compromising comfort.
For more information about Samsung’s SmartThings, visit https://www.samsung.com/uk/smartthings/ or download the SmartThings app on Android or iOS.
