Samsung Electronics introduced new artificial intelligence (AI) features to help consumers more easily receive benefits from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment's electricity savings cashback policy.
According to a compilation of reporting by ChosunBiz on the 5th, Samsung Electronics recently applied "Get a customized energy-saving solution for my home" to the "Energy" service in the SmartThings smart home platform app. Ahead of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment's "Wise electricity life" policy rollout, it prepared and is operating a feature in which AI analyzes household power use patterns and proposes savings measures. As demand to cut electricity bills grows, it introduced an energy management service based on AI appliances to raise consumer access to the policy benefits.
Since on the 1st, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has been implementing a "demand flexibility policy" that refunds part of the bill if electricity is saved and offers additional benefits for use during daytime on weekends and holidays, when renewable energy supply is high. Samsung Electronics prepared a new service that lets consumers check household power flows in the app and set savings strategies without having to calculate the government cashback conditions one by one.
Through "Wise electricity life," the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment is easing and applying the criteria for residential energy cashback payments from this month through December. Previously, benefits were available only if usage was reduced by 3% or more compared with the average of the past two years, but during this period, cashback is given if a reduction of just 1% or more is met. Up to 120 won per kWh is paid depending on the reduction rate.
In July–August, households that cut power consumption from 5–8 p.m. on weekdays receive an additional 500 won per kWh. This system applies only to households participating in the energy cashback program that have advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) installed to allow time-of-use metering. In September–October, a pilot program will also offer 100 won per kWh for usage of washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and clothing care machines registered in Samsung and LG smart appliance apps from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
◇ AI analyzes our home's power use… and even suggests how to save
"Get a customized energy-saving solution for my home," which Samsung Electronics is operating, diagnoses household usage habits and nudges savings actions. When users enter goals and baselines, SmartThings analyzes usage patterns and presents a savings plan.
Users can receive an integrated report containing usage and savings by device on daily, weekly, and monthly bases. It compares and analyzes energy consumption and frequently used modes with those of other users of the same product to help enable intuitive management. For air conditioners, it checks how many times the power is turned off and on per day and explains which operation is advantageous. It also offers real-life guides, such as suggesting continuous operation when going out.
Existing power-saving features of AI appliances based on SmartThings can also help with participation in the ministry's cashback. If users set "AI saving mode" in the app, it automatically optimizes the power consumption of connected products, and if a separate energy meter is connected, it can reduce usage before reaching a progressive billing tier. According to Samsung Electronics, using AI saving mode can cut energy consumption by up to 25% for refrigerators, up to 60% for washing machines, and up to 30% for air conditioners.
During summer peak hours, "customized cooling" for air conditioners is cited as a key feature. This function operates a fan in the air-conditioned space together and analyzes humidity and temperature data to maintain comfort while lowering the power burden. Combined with "away mode," which remotely turns off appliances running while users are out, it can reduce waste with little inconvenience in daily life.
◇ Expanding energy collaboration at home and abroad… SmartThings' role grows
In Korea, Samsung Electronics is also running an "energy saving mission" (demand response) program in collaboration with local governments and Blue Energy. When the Korea Power Exchange or a local government anticipates a peak situation and issues a savings mission, SmartThings automatically switches linked products to AI saving mode or adjusts their operation. Participants can receive incentives based on their savings performance.
Overseas, it is expanding electricity bill savings benefits through partnerships with major energy companies. Samsung Electronics ran a program with Enel in Italy to provide two years of free electricity for laundry to customers who purchased washing machines. With CoolBlue in the Netherlands, it offered free washing and drying during hours when renewable energy supply is high, and with British Gas in the United Kingdom, it launched an exclusive plan offering 50% off weekend electricity rates.
The personalized briefing service "Now Brief," which summarizes essential daily information for users on one screen, has also widened its integration with SmartThings. Previously, users mainly checked the status of home devices or energy usage on smartphones, but now they can also view sleep environment, home security, pet activity, and family care information. Samsung Electronics is expanding this to TVs and Family Hub refrigerators.
Samsung Electronics is developing SmartThings as a core platform that bundles AI appliances and smart home services. It supports connections with more than 370 partners and more than 4,700 models. The introduction of "Get a customized energy-saving solution for my home" is also seen as a strategy to boost the use of AI appliances in line with the government's power demand flexibility policy.
A Samsung Electronics official said, "Previously, the convenience of AI appliances focused on saving time and effort, but now, combined with SmartThings, they are evolving into appliances that deliver tangible benefits."