A refrigerator, a microwave and a washer/dryer might seem like an unlikely lineup for an escape room. At the November 5 launch of the Meralco Smart Home, those appliances were part of the mystery. Guests taking on The Smart Home After Dark had to explore LG appliances to solve clues about something familiar to anyone who pays the electric bill: how a household uses power.
LG Electronics Philippines and Meralco set up the experience in a demonstration facility laid out like a home. An LG air conditioner, television and Styler garment care appliance also figured in the challenge. With everything in a household setting, guests could see where each appliance fit into their day.
From the morning rush to the last load of laundry
A second activity, A Day in the Life in the Smart Home, followed a family routine from waking up and leaving for work to making dinner, watching TV and winding down. Some of the most practical choices were familiar ones, such as setting the air conditioner to a comfortable temperature or adjusting how the household does its laundry.
Meralco’s side of the exhibit gave those decisions some context. Its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) gives customers a clearer view of their electricity consumption. Its Bright Ideas education platform helps them make sense of that information. For households with a choice about when to run an appliance, Meralco also presented Peak/Off-Peak pricing, an option that makes the time of day relevant to what customers pay for electricity.
For families with solar panels, a different question comes up: what happens when the home generates more power than it uses? Through Net Metering, eligible customers can receive credits for surplus electricity they send back to the grid.
LG calls its approach to AI “Affectionate Intelligence,” with the aim of making its technology easier to use in everyday life. Nakhyun Seong, managing director of LG Electronics Philippines Inc., put the household first when explaining the collaboration.
“Technology becomes truly meaningful when it makes everyday life easier and gives people greater control over their homes. Through this collaboration with Meralco, we want to show Filipino households how intelligent appliances and smarter energy choices can work together to bring greater convenience, comfort, and efficiency. At LG, we believe the future of smart living should always begin with understanding what people need and helping them enjoy a better life.”
For anyone who has ever looked at the electric bill and wondered what the family could do differently, the Smart Home offers a place to start. The next conversation at home might be as ordinary as when to do the laundry.
