September 13, 2024
Sharp Corporation
Realizing collaboration with the air conditioners of 5 companies (521 models), the most in the industry*1, and the water heaters of 7 companies (493 models).
Connecting with the photovoltaic system to suppress electricity costs, the "Life Eee Connect".
Significantly expanding the target models of air conditioners and water heaters for collaboration in services.
Sharp will significantly expand the models of air conditioners and water heaters (heat pump water heaters) that correspond to the "Life Eee Connect" (solar appliance collaboration) service, which effectively utilizes the electricity generated by the photovoltaic system for operating home appliances and facilities, in the cloud HEMS*2 service "COCORO ENERGY."
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to efficiently utilize the electricity generated by photovoltaic systems within households to suppress electricity costs, due to the soaring electricity charges and the decline in selling prices of electricity. Our company started the industry's first*4 "Life Eee Connect" service last November, which integrates and controls the photovoltaic system and home appliances that were previously controlled separately, shifting the operation with high power consumption to the times when there is surplus generation to suppress electricity costs. We have been promoting effective use of photovoltaic power in each household by collaborating*5 with air conditioners, water heaters, refrigerators, and drum type washing-drying machines.
Regarding air conditioners, in addition to our past models that are compatible with the IoT device communication standard "ECHONET Lite", we have expanded the lineup of 4 other companies' air conditioners, totaling 521 models※6. You can now use this service even with air conditioners that have already been installed. In addition, for water heaters, we have improved the utilization function of surplus power and added compatibility with the new EcoCute from Chofu Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Chofu Seisakusho"). The target models have been expanded to a total of 7 companies※7 and 493 models.
By collaborating with various companies that are committed to environmental contributions and expanding the range of compatible models, we can propose the effective utilization of photovoltaic technology to customers through a wide range of products, contributing to the achievement of carbon neutrality in homes.
It should be noted that we will be exhibiting this service at the technical exhibition event "SHARP Tech-Day'24 "Innovation Showcase"", to be held at the Tokyo International Forum (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) from September 17th (Tuesday) to 18th (Wednesday).
Compatible equipment | Newly affiliated manufacturers | Total number of affiliations | Service usage fee. | Start date |
Air conditioner | Daikin Industries, Ltd., Corona Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Fujitsu General Limited, Sharp | 5 companies (521 models) | Free | September 25, 2024 |
Water Heater | Nagafu Co., Ltd. * *It is planned to be compatible with models to be released after January 2025. | 7 companies (493 models) |
■ Main Features
1. The industry's largest stem inc, in addition to our company, has collaborated with four other air conditioner manufacturers to implement energy-saving operations based on surplus electricity.
2. Newly collaborated with Nagafu Manufacturing to achieve control utilizing power generation with the largest number of 7 water heaters in the industry.
*1 In the HEMS service that controls air conditioners and water heaters. According to our research (as of September 13, 2024). The target models will be gradually expanded.
*2 Abbreviation for Home Energy Management System. It is a system that manages and controls energy used in residences.
*3 To use this service, registration on our member site 'COCORO MEMBERS' and a cloud-connected energy controller
*4 In the HEMS service that controls ECHONET Lite compatible home appliances. According to our research (as of September 13, 2024).
*5 For details, please refer to our product site ().
*6 The target models for this time include IoT compatible models, including those already installed. However, some models may not be compatible with this service even if they are IoT compatible models. The compatible models will be sequentially listed on our product site ().
*7 For details, please refer to the press release issued on January 23, 2024 (). The water heater manufacturers that have already been coordinated are Daikin Industries, Ltd., Corona Corporation, Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Rinnai Corporation, and Noritz Corporation.
■ Main Features
1. The industry's largest stem inc, in addition to our company, has collaborated with four other air conditioner manufacturers to implement energy-saving operations based on surplus electricity.
In this round of 'Life Eee Connect,' we have expanded the target models of air conditioners that can be integrated with photovoltaic systems to include past models of our company that are compatible with 'ECHONET Lite' and air conditioners from four other domestic manufacturers (a total of 521 models). During the day, monitor the amount of power generation and power consumption with the cloud HEMS service 'COCORO ENERGY.' If the generated electricity is insufficient and there is a need to purchase electricity from the power company, the air conditioner will automatically switch to 'power saving mode * 8' before making the purchase. Also, when there is an excess of surplus electricity, it will automatically switch back to 'normal mode' and operate.
New air conditioner manufacturers included in 'Life Eee Connect' program:
 |  |  |  |
Daikin Industries, Ltd. unsponsored ADR | Corona Corporation | Panasonic Corporation | Fujitsu General Ltd. |
*8 The operating mode of the power-saving mode may differ for each company. Depending on the operating conditions, the power consumption may not necessarily decrease.
2. Newly collaborated with Nagafu Manufacturing to achieve control utilizing power generation with the largest number of 7 water heaters in the industry.
By starting cooperation with the newly developed eco-cute from Nagafu Co., Ltd., we will achieve boiling using surplus electricity in 7 companies' water heaters (a total of 493 models), the highest number in the industry.
The operation control when connected to the water heater has also evolved. In the past, boiling operation was performed only once during the day by utilizing surplus electricity on sunny days. With the new control, boiling can be added according to the weather and the availability of the tank on the same day. It is now possible to utilize electricity without waste. Customers who are currently using the eco-cute will also have our equipment updated automatically.
◆ Water heater manufacturers that are newly eligible for "Life Eee Connect"
Nagafu Co., Ltd.
Information about "Life Eee Connect" can also be found on the following website.
This service will be available to the general public at the technical exhibition event "SHARP Tech-Day’24 “Innovation Showcase”" to be held at Tokyo International Forum (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) on September 17th (Tue) and 18th (Wed) of this year.
For information and registration regarding "SHARP Tech-Day'24", please refer to the special website below.
■ Customer inquiries
0120-48-4649 (landline)Navi dial
0570-550-190 (mobile phone)