Apple’s EnergyKit: Empowering Apps to Reduce Costs and Carbon Footprint

Apple is set to launch a new tool for developers in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability. This innovative framework, known as EnergyKit, provides apps with access to personalized grid forecasts, indicating periods when electricity is cleaner and, potentially, more affordable for users who link their utility accounts. As part of Apple’s commitment to environmental responsibility, EnergyKit focuses on residential applications, specifically targeting common household energy demands such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems (HVAC), and electric vehicle charging.

Through this framework, developers can create apps that offer recommendations on optimal electricity usage based on real-time grid conditions. EnergyKit performs thorough environmental analyses to inform users of cleaner energy periods. For those who connect their electric utility accounts via the Home app, the framework highlights peak and off-peak hours according to their time-varying rate plans.

This enables users to determine the best times to operate appliances, like running a dryer or pre-cooling their homes, and to choose when to charge their electric vehicles to minimize costs and environmental impact. Notably, EnergyKit is designed for “behind-the-meter” devices, focusing on home appliances and electric vehicles that directly draw power from the grid. Developers can monitor energy consumption patterns by sending “load events” to the EnergyKit, which offers insights into electricity usage trends and cleaner energy periods.

Additionally, the system provides Electricity Insight Records, detailing the carbon intensity of electricity usage and helping users assess their energy habits. Currently in beta, EnergyKit is available for developers utilizing Xcode in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. At present, support is limited to development builds with plans for expanded support through TestFlight and App Store submissions anticipated for late 2025.

However, EnergyKit’s guidance features are geographically restricted to the contiguous United States, excluding areas like Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories. While still in its early stages, EnergyKit holds potential for eventually transforming home energy management practices and influencing broader energy usage behaviors.