Schneider Electric has uncovered a critical disconnect between homeowners’ awareness of energy efficiency and their actual adoption of technology-driven solutions to minimize costs.
In its latest consumer survey, detailed in a white paper titled “Evolving Home Energy Consumption: Intentions, Actions, and Hurdles to Greater Home Energy Efficiency,” the company reported that while 82% of respondents deem energy efficiency essential and 84% prioritize it as a home improvement, many are not implementing effective energy-saving measures.
The comprehensive study, which surveyed 13,000 individuals across 11 countries, revealed that despite rising energy expenses and escalating climate concerns, homeowners are hesitant to integrate smart home technologies that can curtail consumption and reduce bills. Schneider Electric attributes this hesitation to several obstacles, including cost, complexity, and insufficient information.
The findings indicate that few homeowners take optimal measures to lower energy usage. For instance, only 44% of participants regularly adjust their ambient temperature—a key action for energy conservation. In contrast, 58% rely on turning off lights as their main strategy for saving energy, despite lighting comprising only about 5% of total electricity expenses. Unplugging unused chargers, the second-most common approach, is employed by 48% of homeowners, with an annual savings of merely $0.26 per charger.
Michael Gierges, Executive Vice President of Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric, noted, “Consumers express a desire to lower their energy bills, enhance energy reliability, and boost home energy efficiency. However, there is a noticeable gap between intention and execution. Although the technology to improve home energy efficiency is readily available, awareness of effective implementation remains limited.”
The report emphasizes an unnecessary focus on lighting technology. While 52% of consumers regard smart lighting as energy-efficient, only 24% actually own such devices. Additionally, only 21% have smart thermostats, and fewer than half (46%) recognize their potential energy-saving benefits, which can lead to reductions of up to 30% in annual bills.
For the first time, the survey addressed consumer attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI). Although AI and automation can potentially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10%, 44% of participants stated they would never depend on AI for household tasks, 35% do not fully understand it, and 41% consciously avoid it.
Furthermore, 52% of respondents believe that smart home technology is prohibitively expensive, despite evidence showing that connected homes can achieve energy savings of up to 22%. The study also uncovered a knowledge gap regarding traditional home technology, revealing that 30% of participants are unaware of their electrical panel’s function, and 16% do not know its location.
