News

Best Buy has joined other big-box retailers like Lowes and Home Depot by testing an expansion into the smart grid arena. Best Buy is testing its Home Energy Learning Center concept in Houston, Chicago, and San Francisco. So far, consumers have proved receptive to the program, spending an average of 35 minutes learning about home energy use. Greentech Media reports:

It illustrates that in the right setting, with the right information, people are interested in learning about how to reduce their energy bills, or at least understand it. In the California store, the staff in the learning center spent days with Pacific Gas & Electricity employees to learn more about how the utility works. In Texas and California, the learning center staff can help customers choose electricity providers. [Rich Peterson, director of growth operations] would not give details, but the concept has “vastly exceeded expectations” and will likely expand across the country later this year. Along with energy-efficient televisions and light bulbs, the Geek Squad will also install your electric vehicle charger and Best Buy can help you set up a home energy audit.