CEA Study Finds Homeowners Use Electronics to Reduce Home Energy Costs

According to a new study from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, homeowners are factoring energy efficiency into purchase decisions of consumer electronics in an effort to reduce home energy costs. The study, Home Technologies and Energy Efficiency: A Look At Behaviors, Issues and Solutions, found increasing consumer interest in the energy efficiency benefits of consumer electronics products.

The study revealed that approximately one in 10 households conducted a home energy audit in the past two years alone. Of those who had undergone an audit, 61 percent replaced appliances or consumer electronic devices with more energy efficient models. Fifty-six percent of consumers show interest in "smart energy meters" that provide information on optimum times to run appliances for energy bill savings.

CEA also found that 57 percent of consumers believe an equal mix of behavioral changes and the use of new technology will help them conserve household energy. On average, consumers told CEA that they would need to see a 31 percent increase in their monthly home energy costs before they would seek out technology options to improve energy efficiency within the home.

One issue that needs to be addressed is low consumer awareness for terms used by the custom installation industry to describe home energy efficient technology. CEA found that, while consumers are highly aware of the 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 are aware of those companies.

For more info on the study, check out the CEA press release.