VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Smartcool Systems Inc. has partnered with smartACR to develop an automated energy management system for small commercial buildings that integrates Smartcool’s software with smartACR’s wireless control sensors and cloud-based thermostat for air conditioning, heat pump, and refrigeration systems.

According to the companies, over 4 million small commercial buildings in the United States (90 percent of all buildings in the country) have no IT-infrastructure to manage energy use because it has not been cost effective. smartACR is introducing a new solution for small buildings, consisting of intelligent wireless control and a cloud-based automation platform.

Smartcool’s software is forming the backbone of this new solution, which is designed to reduce energy consumption of the air conditioning, heat pump, and/or refrigeration systems in small buildings by an average of 25 percent, said the companies. These energy cost savings will exceed the monthly fee charged, so operators of small facilities gain immediate cash flow with no out-of-pocket costs.

Paul Gregory, CEO of smartACR, said, “Smartcool’s software provides defined, predictable, and measurable savings that make the automation of small commercial buildings not only financially viable, but financially attractive. Cloud computing and wireless sensors matched with Smartcool’s software make it possible for any facility to install a self-funding automated energy saving system.”

smartACR is rolling out this service with Dunkin Donuts franchisees including CAFUA management, the largest Dunkin brands franchisee in the world, as a part of National Grid’s energy efficiency program for restaurants. The company said other customers are also moving into automated energy management with smartACR, including Oschner Health System, 5-Star Senior Living, and Five Guys Burgers & Fries.

“The quick acceptance of smartACR’s offering is a strong indicator of the high demand for energy savings and easy, automated management for small businesses,” said George Burnes, president and CEO of Smartcool. “The financial model really sells itself thanks to Smartcool’s contribution of substantial energy savings. We are thrilled to see smartACR making such excellent progress and expect this to develop into a highly profitable revenue stream for Smartcool. We will see income not only from royalties under our software licensing agreement, but also from our ability to offer smartACR’s new products and platform to our own customers.”

For more information about smartACR, visit www.smartacr.com. For more information about Smartcool, visit www.smartcool.net.

Publication date: 4/21/2014

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