Homeowners are factoring energy efficiency into purchase decisions of consumer electronics in an effort to reduce home energy costs, according to a new study from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The study, “Home Technologies and Energy Efficiency: A Look At Behaviors, Issues and Solutions”, finds increasing consumer interest in the energy efficiency benefits of consumer electronics products, including do-it-yourself solutions and professionally installed home technologies.
Consumers are more likely to turn to smart energy meters than home energy audits to reduce energy consumption. In the past two years, about one in 10 households conducted a home energy audit. Of those who had undergone an audit, 61 percent replaced appliances or CE devices with more energy efficient models. 56 percent of consumers show interest in “smart energy meters” that provide information on optimum times to run appliances for utility bill savings.
“The possibility of another rise in home energy costs provides CE manufacturers and electronic system contractors the opportunity to educate homeowners on technology and systems that maximise home energy efficiency,” states Chris Ely, CEA senior research analyst. “Consumers are first turning to home improvement stores and utility companies for solutions. CE manufacturers of energy efficient products and systems should look for ways to increase their presence and work with these outlets to improve consumer awareness.”
The CEA says that while consumers are aware of the US EPA’s Energy Star designation (84 percent), only 50 percent are aware of the term “smart home” and 38 percent are aware of “home automation”. When given a sample of five major companies that sell smart home products or technologies, a little over a third of respondents were aware of those companies.
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