SmartEnergy IP™, a leading research and advisory firm focused on customer experience in energy and utilities, announced today the release of its industry white paper entitled "Customer Preferences Dictate the Future of Smart Home Business Models: Exploring the Role of Smart Home in the Utility of Future Business Model". The paper was published following a series of customer surveys beginning in November 2019 and ending in August 2020 that focused on identifying key drivers for smart home investment.
In addition, the survey also spotlighted the opportunity for utilities and energy companies to optimize these programs for home energy management and automation, evolving current energy efficiency programs by providing more tangible tools for customers to save energy and money.
The combined surveys reached 6,000 customers across the United States and across gender and age brackets.
Key findings of the paper include:
- While "the cool factor" drives interest in smart home, energy reduction solutions top the list of motivators to buy
- Customers aged 35-54 prefer bundled solutions
- The majority of customers expect smart home solutions from their utilities
- Smart Home is the natural next step in AMI Investment
"We are embarking on a new chapter for utility energy efficiency programs and smart grid investments. It is the separate, but equal forces at play that will lead to sustainable energy reduction," said Juliet Shavit, President of SmartMark Communications and Founder of SmartEnergy IP. "The natural next step to optimizing AMI investments is to understand the role of the smart home in the smart grid.
As an industry we have already established the role technology automation plays in reliability, safety and efficiency. We must no longer overlook home automation and the role customers play in long term grid modernization and offer them the tools that they need to take control of their energy use," added Shavit.
