Point of View – by Mia Javier

[Cross posted on cleantech.com]

Sugar Land, Texas-based startup Dropiom is looking to help homeowners not only monitor energy usage, but enable rational, data-driven energy efficiency improvements to their residences.

Founded in 2009, the company has developed a system where wireless sensors transmit energy current and temperature data to a software program that identifies energy efficiency improvements, Dropiom’s Technology and Business Program Manager Michel Ghosn told the Cleantech Group.

Not only does the program identify improvements, Ghosn said, but it specifically outlines initial cost, cost savings, and return on investment of such improvements.

“While commercial solutions for large office buildings exist, no one has fully addressed the residential market where energy savings can run from $100 to a few thousand dollars per year,” Ghosn said. “Residential is a good niche market for us.”

According to Ghosn, Dropiom’s non-intervening sensors are installed on wires where electromagnetically, it senses current running through the wires. Unlike other residential energy management technology that measures total energy consumption on the main circuit breaker line, Dropiom said its system can monitor every line, which ultimately leads to more accurate analysis of data.

“On top of all this, the system includes wireless sensors that monitor temperature both inside and outside of the home,” Ghosn said.

The genesis of Dropiom’s technology, according to Ghosn, took root in a personal desire to manage energy use and implement efficiency measures in his own home. There was nothing he saw in the market that allowed him to monitor his energy usage and enable rational decisions around efficiency measures.

Coupled with Ghosn’s background in heating, ventilating, and cooling (HVAC) systems and engineering, this all came together.

To that point, Ghosn said measuring the ratio of heating and cooling against electricity consumption can determine the actual overall efficiency of HVAC units and fit for use. In this way, Ghosn said the software application can troubleshoot and walk the user through a logical flow of improvements based on costs and analysis of the energy usage profile.

The company is currently at the prototype stage, and is attempting to take it to the product stage, he said.

“At this point, there is no technical risk,” Ghosn said.

The company has filed a non-provisional patent, which it anticipates being granted by next year.

According to Ghosn, the company’s go-to-market strategy involves direct marketing in the first phase to build momentum and revenue. The second phase is expected to entail marketing to select retailers, he said.

Dropiom is seeking a $450,000 Series A round of funding to conduct field trials. The company is aiming to collect user feedback and expects to generate revenue within the first 12 months after funding, he added.

Dropiom is one of 38 potential new investment opportunities the Cleantech Group added to its innovation pipeline this week, available as an exclusive benefit forresearch subscribers. Clients can click here to search the database.

Interested in emerging cleantech innovations? Here are two new companies added to the Cleantech Group’s database this week also looking for funding:

• Newark, Calif.-based ZERE is seeking $10 million in Series A funding for working capital and to expand its business. The company is continuing to develop its zero emission combined heat and power technology that can utilize a variety of biomass wastes as a feedstock.
• British Columbia, Canada-based Envirocoat Technologies (a subsidiary of Prima Developments) is seeking $500,000 for production material and equipment, marketing and advertising as well as general working capital. The company has developed a ceramic coating that produces a unique thermal barrier for protecting commercial, industrial, and residential structures.

Seeking capital, partners or customers? Submit to the Cleantech Group’s innovation pipeline.

Browse past pitches here.