Home Connectivity Alliance Announces HCA Interface Specification 1.0; Demos Energy Management Opportunities for Utilities and Consumers at CES 2023

News Highlights:

• Home Connectivity Alliance releases HCA Interface Specification 1.0, establishing an industry standard for Cloud-to-Cloud (C2C) interoperability across long-life appliances, HVAC systems and TVs within the connected home ecosystem
• HCA is displaying its “Any app to any device” interoperability demonstration at CES 2023, featuring solutions from multiple member companies leveraging C2C connectivity
• HCA’s CES demo also includes leading energy management aggregators and smart home appliance manufacturers highlighting how utilities can shape energy demand and strains on electrical grid shedding load from appliances and HVAC
• The specification paves the way for more energy-efficient solutions within the connected home, resulting in real-world energy and cost savings for the consumer

January 05, 2023

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA), an organization dedicated to the development and promotion of secure interoperability and energy savings across long-life appliances, HVAC systems and TVs within the connected home ecosystem, today announced the release of its HCA Interface Specification 1.0 for Cloud-to-Cloud (C2C) interoperability at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, Nev., USA on Jan. 5-8, 2023. The HCA exhibit is located in booth #52739 in the Venetian Expo Center.

“This is a monumental achievement for our members to release the HCA Interface Specification 1.0 within one year of the organization‘s launch at CES 2022,” said Yoon Ho Choi, Home Connectivity Alliance President. “The availability of this specification will enable the large appliance industry to begin development of interoperable and energy-efficient ecosystems between trusted global brands that will provide convenience, help stabilize the electrical grid, and help deliver cost savings for consumers.”

The HCA Interface Specification 1.0 leverages existing industry standards to define C2C interoperability and ensures that long-life appliances, HVAC systems and TVs are seamlessly interoperable with each other, regardless of manufacturer. Furthermore, the specification will cover legacy appliances and HVAC systems consumers already have in their homes today; ensuring that consumers can continue to use them, in most instances without major firmware updates. The specification will be available for public viewing on the HCA website and open-sourced to HCA members.

HCA will also be displaying its C2C interoperability demonstrations featuring solutions from multiple member companies in the Smart Home exhibition at CES 2023. This technical demonstration from HCA member companies leverages C2C connectivity, enabling multiple brands of apps to control multiple brands of appliances, HVAC systems and TVs. HCA continues to focus on making the smart home accessible to the everyday consumer and has focused on a select set of features most frequently used by consumers.

Energy Management in the Connected Home

The release of the HCA Interface Specification 1.0 paves the way for energy-efficient solutions that cover the entire connected home. HCA is actively working with industry leaders across energy management to build a foundation for a more energy-efficient and sustainable roadmap for the connected home. At CES, HCA members will present a simulation of how a utility could enhance its fleet of flexible loads by incorporating long life appliances alongside heating and cooling to reduce grid emergency risks.

With HCA, key data from devices that consume the most energy (appliances, HVAC systems, and TVs) – including how much energy they use and how to optimize it – become even more accessible. This leads directly to energy usage insights that empower consumers to leverage technology from member companies to act on or even automate key devices, with the option to override, resulting in energy efficiency and cost savings for the consumer.

Join Home Connectivity Alliance

Manufacturers in the connected home space are encouraged to join HCA now to receive access to the HCA Interface Specification and help build the future of C2C interoperability. For more information about membership benefits and how to join, visit www.homeconnectivityalliance.org/membership.

About Home Connectivity Alliance

The Home Connectivity Alliance is a member-driven organization comprised of 15 global brands dedicated to the development and promotion of safe and secure interoperability and energy savings across long-life appliances, HVAC systems and TVs within the connected home ecosystem. For more information, visit www.homeconnectivityalliance.org.