Schneider Electric has launched the third edition of its consumer habits survey, in a paper titled “Evolving home energy consumption: Intentions, actions and hurdles to greater home energy efficiency”. The study analyzed the opinions of 13,000 people in 11 countries around the world, providing a global perspective on home energy efficiency, sustainability and smart home technologies.
Residential energy consumption is the main factor determining the level of household emissions and has been steadily increasing in recent years as energy-consuming devices and appliances have become widespread. This trend, combined with the skyrocketing energy costs and the dramatic impact of climate change, has led to increased awareness of energy consumption in households.
With this in mind, the report focuses on behaviors, barriers, and willingness to adopt energy-saving solutions. In particular, this year’s results highlight a large gap between awareness and action. 82% of respondents consider energy efficiency to be “somewhat important” or “very important,” while 84% said energy efficiency was the most important home improvement, and 70% said reducing their carbon footprint was “important” to them.
However, few people take truly effective steps to reduce their energy consumption. Only 44% regularly adjust their room temperature, although this is one of the most impactful actions. In contrast, 58% of homeowners turn off the lights as their primary energy-saving strategy, even though lighting only accounts for about 5% of their electricity bill. The second most popular method is unplugging unused chargers (48%), but this too has minimal impact – saving just $0.26 per year per charger.
The report reveals another overemphasis on lighting when it comes to the types of energy technology consumers have in their homes, with 52% of consumers believing that smart lighting improves energy efficiency. While 24% own smart lighting, only 21% have a smart thermostat, and less than half (46%) are aware of its energy-saving benefits, despite evidence showing it could reduce bills by up to 30% annually.
For the first time, the survey explored attitudes towards artificial intelligence (AI). Despite predictions that AI and automation could help mitigate up to 10% of global GHG emissions, 44% of respondents said they would never rely on AI for household tasks, 35% do not fully understand it, and 41% want to actively avoid it. In addition, 52% believe that smart home technology is too expensive, even though connected homes can generate energy savings of up to 22%.
The survey also highlights a knowledge gap regarding traditional home technologies: 30% of respondents do not know what the electrical panel is, and 16% do not know where it is located. The electrical panel is the centerpiece of a home’s power system and plays a critical role in protecting devices and appliances. Therefore, this lack of knowledge can pose a serious risk as homes become increasingly electrified and the condition of the electrical panel is neglected.
“Consumers want to reduce their energy bills, increase their energy reliability and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. However, there is a gap between intention and action. The technology to improve the energy efficiency of homes already exists, but awareness of the most effective ways to implement it is lacking,” said Michael Lotfy Gierges, Executive Vice President Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric. “With increased electrification and digitalization, home energy consumption can be better measured, controlled and directed towards more renewable sources.”
