A woman in Colorado says her smart thermostat blocked her from lowering the temperature, displaying a warning: "You are not allowed to lower your thermostat set point because the energy grid in your regional area is stressed."
She had enrolled in Xcel Energy's voluntary demand-response program, which offers $50-150 in sign-up credits in exchange for letting the utility set limits on your AC.
These programs are already running in multiple states.
Apple’s upcoming push into smart home devices will include a doorbell, thermostat and other accessories developed through an unusual partnership with LG Electronics.
📷: Samyukta Lakshmi/Bloomberg