Control4 Shows Partnerships with Sub-Zero and Wolf at CES

New connected appliances include refrigerator, wine storage unit, and oven

January 10, 2011 By Jack Cotter

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Control4 was showing off all kinds of partnerships at CES 2011, and that is great news for custom integrators. The new partnerships with Sub-Zero and Wolf are particularly exciting because they have expanded the options for connecting kitchen appliances into the home control system.

Sub-Zero displayed a connected refrigerator and wine storage unit, while Wolf showed a connected oven. Each was integrated into the Control4 network and displayed on any of the touch panels in the home.

Among the features demonstrated, were if the refrigerator door is left open unattended, the room lighting can flash, and an alert can sound over the sound system and be seen on a Control4 display panel anywhere in the home. If the oven is preheating, the homeowner can be alerted when the oven is ready. When a meal is being cooked, Control4 panels can report the oven temperature, the cooking timer, and even the meat temperature with an internal meat thermometer.

The wine storage unit allows users to monitor important details such as temperature and whether the door is shut to keep out air and maintain humidity. Homeowners can also be alerted by email or text message if the door is opened without permission.

Homeowners can also get energy usage reports and can set high energy functions such as ice-making to occur at different times of the day when energy costs are lower. 

Connected home entertainment and the smart grid have gotten a lot of attention, but it is also a great sign that Control4 is partnering with Sub-Zero and Wolf to add home control to high-end appliances. Connected devices like these with real functional applications will be a great selling point for custom integrators.