Last updated: 30 November 2022
Equiwatt Limited ("equiwatt") is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 09871368 and with its registered office at Proto: The Emerging Technology Centre, Abbott’s Hill, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England, NE8 3DF. A reference to “we”, “our” or “us” is to equiwatt.
If you would like to contact us in connection with your use of this website (“Website”) or if you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us at: support@equiwatt.com.
equiwatt is inviting users to use its website (https://www.equiwatt.com) and mobile and web applications (our “Services''). Our mobile application is available through the iOS AppStore or Google Play Store and the web application is available from the web link (https://app.equiwatt.com).
You are responsible for configuring your information technology, mobile devices, computer programmes and platform to access our website and our Services. You should use your own virus protection software. You must not misuse our website and our Services by knowingly introducing viruses, trojans, worms, logic bombs or other material that is malicious or technologically harmful. You must not attempt to gain unauthorised access to our website, the server on which our website is stored and our Services are hosted, or any server, computer or database connected to our website and our Services.
By using our Website or by creating a user account on our mobile/web application and using our Services, you confirm that you accept these terms and that you agree to comply with them. By using our Services to participate in National Grid DFS equivents you confirm that equiwatt shall be the only party to manage your flex services and that you have not appointed any other party to manage these services on your behalf.
The following additional terms also apply to your use of our Website:
Our Privacy Policy (https://www.equiwatt.com/privacy).
Our Cookie Policy (https://www.equiwatt.com/privacy), which sets out information about the cookies on our website.
Our Terms and Conditions for our Referral Scheme can be found here (https://www.equiwatt.com/referral-terms). Our Prizes Terms and Conditions can be found here (https://www.equiwatt.com/prizes-terms).
We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change these Terms at any time. We will notify you of such changes by any reasonable means, such as email or messaging through our Services. If a change is material we will provide at least 15 days notice prior to any new terms taking effect.
By using this website and our Services, you are expected to review these Terms and Conditions on a regular basis. If you continue to access our website and/or use our Services after any changes to these Terms become effective, your continued use will constitute acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree to the new terms, you should terminate this agreement immediately.
The names and logos identifying this Website and equiwatt are owned by equiwatt. As the owner and operator of the equiwatt Website, we exclusively hold all of the operating rights in respect of equiwatt and related trademarks and logos. You may not use “equiwatt” or any related trademarks and logos without our written permission.
1. Introduction
Our Services give users access to equiwatt’s smart energy platform and the company’s energy rewards program. The smart energy platform has been developed to launch a form of demand-side response (DSR) for the smart grid that saves peak-time energy by modifying electrical load characteristics on the UK’s energy network at certain times of day by engaging with residential energy consumers. Users are rewarded points for saving peak-time energy by turning off appliances and devices at peak times manually at the plug socket or automatically by leveraging the functionality of internet-enabled devices such as smart plugs, electric vehicles and smart appliances.
The key elements of our Services are:
To use web/app based notifications and email messaging to engage with the user and advise them to turn off appliances and devices during equiwatt’s peak-time energy saving events - equivents
To guide the user on how to automate their participation in equivents by providing instructions on how to pair their appliance or devices to equiwatt using compatible smart devices such as TP-LINK HS110 and KP115 smart plugs.
To use third-party energy monitoring tools such as TP-Link HS110 and KP115 power/current sensing functionality for the purpose of sensing, monitoring and logging connected appliance or device energy data to enhance user experience, enhance DSR service performance, detect user participation in equivents and award reward points for energy saving activities.
To provide access to installing and using equiwatt’s Powercapsule hub for the purpose of sensing, monitoring and logging household electricity data to enhance user experience, enhance DSR service performance, detect user participation in equivents and award reward points for energy saving activities.
To provide access to a gift store where points earned through equiwatt’s energy rewards program can be redeemed for a selection of third-party gift vouchers or third-party product discounts.
2. Definitions
Smart Devices - We refer to ‘Smart Devices’ to smart technology that is or can be connected to our platform including, but not limited to smart plugs, electric vehicles, appliances, smart appliances, smart thermostats, heaters, etc.
equivents - Energy saving events when energy usage is at its peak, during which equiwatt will remotely and temporarily switch off the connected smart enabled appliances and other devices. equivents last for 1 hour, however, participants can manage their time of participation preferences through the app.
Powercapsule - A smart energy hub manufactured by equiwatt for the purpose of sensing, monitoring and logging household electricity consumption via a third-party current sensor connected non-intrusively to an electricity meter
Smart Plug - A smart plug connects household appliances to your smart home network. They plug into traditional electrical sockets and allow you to remotely manage appliances online and via accompanying apps.
Demand Side Response (DSR) - The method by which the amount of energy and/or time of use by consumers (the demand side) is altered in response to an event when the grid is under stress.
3. Accounts
In order to use equiwatt's ‘Services’, you must create an account, as part of which you shall provide certain registration information concerning your name, email and address. You agree to provide accurate account details and you agree to notify equiwatt immediately of any changes in such information. You are responsible for keeping the details of your password and account confidential and are fully responsible for your account.
4. Description of Services
Our Services are designed to coordinate energy saving activities at specific times to reduce peak-time energy consumption, to provide flexibility to the electricity system. The aggregated reductions may be sold in the energy market. For these purposes, equiwatt will monitor the energy consumption of your connected technology ‘Smart Devices’ through a smart plug, Powercapsule, electric vehicle, smart charger and/or smart meter. In the event that data needs to be sent to a third party including but not limited to research technology organisations or the regulator, equiwatt will share this data in accordance with our Privacy Policy for the purpose of delivering, improving, enhancing and validating our Services.
To enable timely energy reduction, our Services contain a feature to remotely manage your connected technology (‘Smart Devices’) from your account. By accepting the Terms & Conditions you are authorising equiwatt to remotely manage your home appliances and other assets, such as electric vehicles, chargers, smart thermostats etc. on your behalf. You may at any time choose to override any actions taken by our Services.
In order to deliver our Services to you, 'Smart Devices' may be managed through services operated by third parties
For our service delivered through smart plugs, equiwatt uses the manufacturers of TP-Link’s KASA application, where you have opened an account and provided log-in credentials of the ‘Smart Devices’ to equiwatt.
For our service delivered through electric vehicles, equiwatt uses a secure API (application programming interface) service. You will be asked if you wish to connect your vehicle and be redirected to a secure login portal to enter your login credentials, the ones used for the vehicle's manufacturer app. We will find the EV and ask you to allow equiwatt access to your vehicle.
By providing the ‘Smart Devices’ credentials you agree and understand:
You have the authority and rights to provide your credentials to equiwatt.
You authorise equiwatt to remotely manage, namely temporarily switch off and back on your device(s) or pause electric vehicle charging, based on your settings during equivents.
equiwatt may not be able to turn your device back on at the end of an equivent due to Internet-connectivity related or other service issues.
We will monitor all ‘Smart Devices’ to ensure they come back on. equiwatt will take all measures necessary to try to turn them back on. In the case, we cannot turn an appliance or device back on after 3 consecutive attempts, we will contact you via email.
In the specific case of equiwatt providing any trial equipment for free, whether this is a smart plug, a Powercapsule or both, if once you have received the equipment and you do not install and take part in the trial within 15 days, you will be asked to return the equipment to equiwatt. You will also return all equipment to equiwatt if you install the equipment but do not take part in the trial for more than 30 days from receiving the equipment. If you choose to stop using our Services and equipment in the initial 6 months after the 30 days stated above, you are obliged to return the equipment to equiwatt.
Our app features and functions will be subject to updates as our Services evolve. You acknowledge that equiwatt may update, modify, or discontinue partly or totally any features and/or functions within our Services at any time at our discretion.
5. Service Limitations
Given that our Services are delivered through the Internet, our availability to provide them may be subject to certain limitations such as internet availability and quality. You acknowledge that our Services will be subject to such limitations and restrictions outside equiwatt’s control and that we may limit the availability of Services at any time, in whole or in part, to any person, geographic area or jurisdiction that we choose.
6. Privacy & Security
equiwatt is committed to protecting your privacy rights. For the use of our Services and our website, you may provide us with your personal information. equiwatt collects your submitted information to learn about your use of our Services and your visits to our website. With that, we acknowledge your trust and expect to treat your information appropriately.
By using our Services, you consent to the collection, use, disclosure and sharing of data as set forth in our privacy policy (https://www.equiwatt.com/privacy). Our ‘Privacy Policy’ explains our data processing practices and your options regarding the ways in which your personal data is used. If you have any requests concerning your personal information or any queries with regard to our processing please contact us at support@equiwatt.com.
equiwatt is committed to maintaining the security of the data you provide us and will take all reasonable measures to protect it. However, given that our Services are provided through wireless networks and the Internet, some risk in transmitting information over the Internet is always there. For this reason, equiwatt cannot fully guarantee the security and privacy of wireless transmissions or transmissions via the Internet, and you agree that we will not be liable for any lack of security relating to the use of our Services by you. You agree that you will not hold equiwatt liable for any damages resulting from any loss of privacy or security occurring in connection with any communications over such networks.
7. Data Protection
All personal Data is collected, stored and deleted strictly in line with GDPR regulations as stated under the equiwatt Privacy Policy. The Personal Data you provide to us when you register for our Services will be used to administer your participation for the purposes described in these terms and conditions.
equiwatt will use your Personal Data:
- To process your account creation
- To deliver our Services to you
- To manage your participation in our Services
- To provide energy saving rewards services to you
- To conduct product and service improvements
- To conduct research to enhance and improve our Services
- To seek periodic feedback from you
We may need to share some of your data to third parties, including but not limited to energy data and Smart Device power consumption data, for the purpose of delivering our Services to you and for improving the quality of our Services. In such cases, your data will be anonymised and shared securely with the third party with no way of any third party being able to personally identify you, your device or your household from the data.
8. Points & Rewards
Each user is entitled to rewards based on their level of participation in our Services. Points will be allocated on a constantly changing scale dependent on the level of the Smart Device usage and market conditions. The amount of points granted to each user is based on a variety of factors including, including but not limited to, ‘Smart Device’ connected, equivent participation preferences and manual response engagement, which is reflected in the total amount of energy saved by a user.
When users have accumulated enough points, they will be able to redeem them for rewards. The rewards can be made effective through our Gift Store section where the steps will guide users to complete the redeeming process.
Points redemption is restricted to one account per household. We recommend using one account per household and sharing user login and password between family / housemates.
Please note that the rewards are not guaranteed and equiwatt reserves the right to change the terms, or remove the offer without any prior notice.
Points and rewards are not sponsored by any third party or other technology providers.
9. Smart Plug Starter Pack Giveaway
equiwatt may run promotional smart plug giveaway campaigns during certain times of the year. Only new registrations to equiwatt will qualify for these campaigns and only one complimentary Smart Plug Starter Pack may be claimed per address.
Smart Plug Starter Packs must only be used to connect qualifying household appliances to equiwatt in order to enable automated participation in equivents. Claimed Smart Plugs Starter Packs that are not connected to equiwatt within 30 days of receipt must be returned to equiwatt with any postage costs being at the expense of equiwatt. Smart Plugs Starter Packs must be used regularly to take part in equivents and equiwatt reserves the right to request that a Smart Plug be returned to equiwatt if the frequency of use is low.
We retain the right to reject claims if it is believed via validation checks that submission details include false or fraudulent information, invalid claim codes or invalid personal and address information. Only claims submitted via the online form will be accepted and claimants must have already registered an account with equiwatt and completed their in app profile to include address details to qualify.
We retain the right to withdraw the giveaway without prior notice at any time. Multiple claim codes and campaigns may be operated at any given time and according to the timings published as part of each campaign. Decisions on the successful completion of the giveaway criteria are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
equiwatt is not responsible for damage or loss of the Smart Plug Starter Pack during delivery.
The giveaway is only open to UK residents over the age of 18, excluding employees of equiwatt, their families, or anyone connected with the giveaway. Smart Plugs Starter Packs are non-transferable and no cash alternative is available. All valid Smart Plug Starter Pack claims are subject to availability. Smart Plugs can only be delivered to a valid UK address.
Acceptance of these terms and conditions is a condition of entry. Giveaway campaigns are only active during the start and finish dates specified within published campaign details and apply to unique claim codes. Claimants agree to receive communications from equiwatt in order to keep them updated about their claim progress as well as keeping them updated about the equiwatt community. Claimants may be contacted to participate in publicity/case studies.
We reserve the right to reject entries received from promotional sources that are unapproved by equiwatt. We are not responsible for the operation of the smart plugs and only provide support for customers in relation to such plugs being connected to equiwatt and participating in equivents.
Giveaways are not sponsored by any third party such as either Apple or Google or other technology providers.
10. Material on the website
All material on the Website or made available via the Website belongs to us or to third parties who have allowed us to use and display their material. The Website is protected by copyright. It is published by equiwatt and may not be reproduced other than when downloaded and viewed on a single device for private use only. It is not to be otherwise reproduced, adapted or transmitted nor made available on a network (or otherwise) without the prior written permission of equiwatt.
No text or data mining, or web scraping
You shall not conduct, facilitate, authorise or permit any text or data mining or web scraping in relation to our site or any services provided via, or in relation to, our site. This includes using (or permitting, authorising or attempting the use of):
Any "robot", "bot", "spider", "scraper" or other automated device, programme, tool, algorithm, code, process or methodology to access, obtain, copy, monitor or republish any portion of the site or any data, content, information or services accessed via the same.
Any automated analytical technique aimed at analysing text and data in digital form to generate information which includes but is not limited to patterns, trends and correlations.
The provisions in this clause should be treated as an express reservation of our rights in this regard.
This clause shall not apply insofar as (but only to the extent that) we are unable to exclude or limit text or data mining or web scraping activity by contract under the laws which are applicable to us.
Do not rely on information on this Website
Although we make reasonable efforts to update the information on our Website, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on our Website is accurate, complete or up to date. We do not accept responsibility or liability to users or any third parties in relation to the use of this Website or its content.
We are not responsible for websites we link to
Where our Website contains links to other websites and resources provided by third parties, these links are provided for your information only. Such links should not be interpreted as approval by us of those linked websites or information you may obtain from them. We have no control over the contents of those sites or resources.
We may suspend or withdraw our Website
Our Website is made available free of charge. We do not guarantee that our Website, or any content on it, will always be available or be uninterrupted. We may suspend or withdraw or restrict the availability of all or any part of our Website for business and operational reasons.
Viruses
We do not guarantee that our Website will be secure or free from bugs or viruses. You are responsible for configuring your information technology, computer programmes and platform to access our Website. You should use your own virus protection software. We do not accept any responsibility for any loss, disruption or damage to your data or your computer system which may occur whilst using material derived from the Website. You must take reasonable precautions to ensure that you do not introduce a virus or anything else that has contaminating or destructive qualities to the Website.
11. Termination
This terms and conditions effective from the date of publication until terminated.
equiwatt may end any ongoing trial participations at any time and terminate or suspend your account and your use of Service without prior notice. equiwatt may also terminate or suspend your account and your use of the Services at any time and without prior notice, for any reason, including but not limited to, a breach of any provision of these Terms. Upon any such termination or suspension, all rights and licenses granted under these Terms will cease immediately.
You may terminate your account at any time by disconnecting any connected ‘Smart Devices’ or devices and by discontinuing use of the Services. If you wish to delete your account and all data associated with your account, please contact us at support@equiwatt.com.
On termination of this Agreement, you shall return any free trial equipment if they were provided to you by equiwatt for the purposes described in this agreement. Until such equipment has been returned, you shall be solely responsible for its safekeeping.
On termination, any provision of this agreement that expressly or by implication is intended to come into or continue in force on or after termination, including clauses 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 11, 12,13, 14, 15 and 16 shall remain in full force and effect.
12. Our responsibility for loss or damage suffered by you
So far as lawfully possible we exclude all implied conditions, warranties, representations or other terms that may apply to our Website or any content on it and, so far as lawfully possible, we will not be liable to you for any loss or damage, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, even if foreseeable, arising under or in connection with use of, or inability to use, our Website or use of or reliance on any content displayed on our Website.
If you are a consumer user: as a consumer you agree not to use our Website for any commercial or business purposes.
13. How we may use your personal information
We will only use your personal information as set out in our Privacy Policy (https://www.equiwatt.com/privacy)
14. Hardware
Our Service, in certain cases, requires the user to install third-party hardware and/or provide data and management access to such hardware installed in the home by methods described in Section 4. In these cases, terms and conditions of third-party hardware apply in their own form.
In some trials, decided on sole discretion of equiwatt, equiwatt may supply, for suitable users the Powercapsule hub and request the user to install the hub for delivering its Services. In these cases, the equiwatt Powercapsule cannot be tampered with, disassembled or modified to any degree and doing so will result in termination of this agreement. The equiwatt Powercapsule remains the property of equiwatt and can be recalled at any time at the discretion of equiwatt. Users may not sell or trade the equiwatt Powercapsule. If the equiwatt Powercapsule is broken, users must send the equiwatt Powercapsule back to equiwatt within 15 days.
15. Disclaimer
The Website is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We do not make any guarantees or warranties that our Website, or any content on it, will always be available or be uninterrupted.
It is the sole responsibility of the user to check the accuracy or reliability of relevant facts before entering into any financial or other commitment based upon any information on this Website. We accept no responsibility for any loss or liability which may arise from reliance on the information contained in the Website.
Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or the exclusion or limitation of liability, so the limitations above may not apply to you.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
If you are a consumer, please note that these terms of use, their subject matter and their formation, are governed by the laws of England and Wales. You and we both agree that the courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction except that if you are a resident of Northern Ireland you may also bring proceedings in Northern Ireland, and if you are a resident of Scotland, you may also bring proceedings in Scotland.
If you are a business, these terms of use, their subject matter and their formation (and any non-contractual disputes or claims) are governed by laws of England and Wales. We both agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Equiwatt Limited
Abbott's Hill, Baltic Business Quarter
Gateshead, England, NE8 3DF
Copyright © 2015 - 2023 Equiwatt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.