CE Pro March 2023 - 13

year, Beko's Healthy Kitchen
initiative brings together
designers, nutritionists
and strategic partners to
reimagine the kitchen as
the intersection of health,
wellness and sustainability
in the American home.
Savant provides climate,
lighting, entertainment,
security and energy integration,
while GE Lighting
offers energy-efficient
lamps, switches and fixtures.
A company called Smartflower
generates 90% of
the onsite power through
the world's first rooftop
residential application of its
sculpture-like solar energy
system that tracks the sun
from sunrise to sunset.
Study: Healthier Lifestyle
Choices Remain Priority
Post-Pandemic
IN A FOLLOW-UP to its original 2020 state of wellness
survey, Healthline Media released research last fall, which
found that 43% of adults in the United States stated that
their lifestyles were extremely or very healthy. That's a 16%
increase from pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, 45% more
people are using their free time to further improve their
health and wellness.
Where does that focus go? There's a lot from the study,
but the main ones that may be of interest to integrators are
cooking (53%), spending time with the family (48%), making
more time for oneself (42%), eating healthier (40%) and exercising
more (40%). Exercise is a very special case, as that saw
a massive 150% increase from the start of the pandemic.
Sure, cooking and eating healthier may be a bit of a stretch
right now, but with companies like Samsung adding Smart
Cooking to its SmartThings app, and Matter now opening
that ecosystem to many others, that reality may be a little
closer than expected.
About 39% in the study said inflation was the main reason
they have yet to make any significant changes, and that
concern has only continued to rise with inflation. It is worth
noting, however, the these buying patterns change the
higher the consumer income bracket. The same goes for one's
perception of health and wellness.
For instance, 60% of respondents making $100,000 or
more a year felt that their lifestyle was very healthy. Meanwhile
only 25% making $45,000 or less agreed on that.
Likewise, 57% of the higher income group found themselves
focusing on their health and wellness while only a third of the
lower income group did the same.
Despite this, well-being remains a priority and even a
source of empowerment for just about everyone in the study.
Compared to before the pandemic, 24% more people are
willing to make sacrifices to live a longer life.
cepro.com
The Home 8 ESS is managed by LG's ThinQ app and is
compatible with non-LG products.
LG Launches
Residential Energy
Storage System
RESIDENTIAL ENERGY storage systems have been a growing
opportunity for CE pros, and another big name is providing
an attractive option in the category. LG Electronics has
introduced the Home 8 residential energy storage system
(ESS), a new all-in-one solution that the company says will
enable U.S. homeowners to manage energy, provide backup
power and reduce dependence on the electric grid.
The LG Home 8 ESS was unveiled at the 2022 RE+ (formerly
SPI) trade show in Anaheim, Calif., last fall, where LG
Electronics USA also demonstrated a LG commercial ESS
version for the U.S. market.
LG's Home 8 energy storage system combines an advanced
inverter and battery in a single unit that is floor
standing, and wall supported to provide an organized,
streamlined installation, according to the company. Its 7.5kW
inverter/charger provides a total capacity of 14.4kWh of
usable on-demand energy and is stackable up to four units,
which in combination allows up to 57.6kWh of usable energy.
Customers who do not have a solar PV system and have a
Time of Use plan can still use Home 8, LG says. The ESS can
be used independently from the grid and can charge during
the daytime when electricity prices are lower. Home 8 can
then be utilized during peak consumption hours when prices
increase. In preparation for potential natural disasters and
power outages, Home 8 can store energy for later use.
An LED display on the front of the system allows owners
to check the estimated battery state of charge (SoC)
and encourages mindfulness of electricity use during
power outages.
Additionally, the company notes Home 8 is an integrated
system that can be incorporated into a complete smart
home environment.
March 2023 CE Pro | 13
http://www.cepro.com
CE Pro March 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CE Pro March 2023
