We’ve been hearing for a long time that households aren’t interested in energy efficiency gadgets. Give consumers the choice between an electronic toy for the home and a smart thermostat, and they take the toy, right?
Turns out, we may not give consumers enough credit.
Automated devices that save energy (and money) are now the most popular electronic devices for home installation. So says a new study by the Consumer Electronics Association.
In fact, the energy efficient thermostat beat out security systems and home theater in the expanding home tech market.
“The rise in housing starts in 2013 has contributed to a steady increase in the overall outlook for home technology,” said Kevin Tillmann, a CEA senior research analyst. “Products that can offer energy efficiency are leading the home automation technology market, with the ability to save money serving as a key motivator for purchases.”
This defies conventional thinking in the industry about households and energy efficiency. The belief is that energy gadgets don’t reduce utility bills enough to engage consumers.
CEA found that almost half (47 percent) of US households that are online now have either a programmable or smart thermostat. Meanwhile, 31 percent of these households own security technologies; 25 percent home theater systems.
And it looks like even better days may be ahead for energy efficient home tech. A sizable percentage of households plan to buy automated energy efficient products in the future, according to CEA.
Credit: CEA
Installers take note: Consumers prefer to have the devices professionally installed, especially if they are energy-related, according to the study.
The bad news? While energy efficient thermostats are selling, lighting controls and home energy management systems still aren’t making it into many homes — although sales are trending upward. See the CEA graphic below.
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Additional graphic from CEA
