Samsung Electronics Launches Pilot Smart Appliance Cashback Program, Linked to SmartThings

[Financial News] Samsung Electronics is joining a pilot Smart Appliance Cashback Program with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), which returns part of the electricity bill to customers who use home appliances during hours of high renewable energy output.
Samsung Electronics said on the 1st that it will provide a feature through the Samsung SmartThings app that can be linked to the Smart Appliance Cashback Program.
The Smart Appliance Cashback Program is designed to spread electricity demand by encouraging appliance use during periods when renewable energy generation, such as solar power, is abundant. The pilot will run for two months starting today.
Customers who take part in the program can receive 100 won per 1 kWh of electricity used, up to 300 won per hour, if they use eligible appliances between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekends and public holidays. The cashback will be provided as a deduction from the electricity bill or as a refund.
The program covers four product categories: washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and garment care appliances. These devices account for a relatively large share of electricity use, while their operating times are easier to adjust. The program stands out because it aims not just to reduce demand, but to shift usage to times when power supply is plentiful.
Samsung SmartThings users can apply for the program by selecting the Smart Appliance Cashback connection button in the Energy service under the Life tab in the Samsung SmartThings app. After signing up on the linked page and agreeing to share device usage data, the connection is completed.
Users can also take advantage of SmartThings' appliance scheduling feature. If they set a washing machine or dryer to run during cashback hours on weekend mornings, they can receive the benefit without manually operating the device.
Samsung Electronics also offers a feature through SmartThings Energy that lets users check the real-time power consumption of connected appliances and manage electricity use with the AI Energy Saving Mode.
The company is also expanding cooperation with energy firms overseas. Samsung Electronics is pursuing programs linked to electricity bill savings with Enel in Italy, British Gas in the United Kingdom, and Coolblue in the Netherlands.
In June, Samsung Electronics and Enel launched a service that provides customers who buy Samsung washing machines with up to 180 kWh of free laundry electricity for two years. With British Gas, the company introduced a plan that offers a 50% discount on weekend electricity rates.
In May, Samsung Electronics became the first Korean company to sign the European Union's Code of Conduct for Energy Smart Appliances, laying the groundwork for broader energy cooperation in Europe.
[email protected] Park Ji-yeon Reporter