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Homeowners Overlook High-Impact Energy-Saving Actions

Key findings from the H&D 2024 consumer survey

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Consumer survey 2024: What’s new?

  • Global consumer survey conducted across eleven markets in September - October 2024
  • 13,000 respondents completed the Smart Homes and Psychology of Sustainability survey.

  • The survey was conducted online via a survey form, in the respondents’ native language with translations provided by a professional translation company. Questions that involved elements such as currency and political parties, were customized for each market.

  • The research was collected by OPINIUM, a strategic insight agency that uses the right approach and methodology to deliver robust insights, strategic counsel and targeted recommendations that generate change and positive outcomes.

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric |

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RESPONDENTS PROFILES

SCOPE OF COUNTRIES

2021

2023

2024

France

United States

Germany

Spain

Sweden

UK

Australia

2,001

2,000

1,003

1,000

1,000

1,006

1,000

1,004

1,000

n/a

2,001

2,000

1,004

1,000

2,000

1,000

1,000

1,000

1,000

2,000

1,000

India

n/a

n/a

1,000

Switzerland

n/a

n/a

1,000

Denmark

n/a

n/a

1,000

Norway

n/a

n/a

1,000

UK

Sweden

Germany

France

Spain

US

Australia

India

Switzerland

Denmark

Norway

2020

1,000

1,000

1,000

1,000

1,000

2,000

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

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Key Findings & Narrative

Homeowners Want Energy Efficiency But Overlook High-Impact Energy Saving Actions

84% rank energy efficiency as important home improvement above all else 

Yet, 52% believe smart lighting is top smart home tech to make homes energy efficient/more sustainable

Gap Between Desire to Reduce Residential Carbon Emissions and Action

70% rank reducing their carbon footprint as important

But only 44% take high-impact steps like reducing home temperatures

Scepticism and Barriers Toward Smart Home Technology and AI

52% believe smart home tech is too expensive

44% say they would never rely on AI for household tasks

16% don’t know where the electrical panel is; 30% don’t know what it does

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General

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Findings Breakdown ��Energy Efficiency Top of Mind

Consumer Perspectives

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Internal

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Energy efficiency and energy security are top of consumers' minds

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Importance of energy efficiency to consumers has risen in nearly all tracked markets

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Newly added markets, 2024

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Energy efficiency 'very important' in homes

Energy efficiency top 'very important' topic in homes, followed by connectivity/technology and comfort. Overall, safety and security are generally most important to homes.

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Energy efficiency/savings ranked the most important home improvement to make

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Cemented connection between climate change and homes

Consumer Perspectives

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Climate change remains important in homes

Global average of 69% people rate sustainability/climate change as important to their home.

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Most consumers foresee a rise in energy bills if global temperatures increase

Respondents clearly make the connection between climate change and household bills.

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When asked who is responsible for carbon emissions, half of consumers consider themselves responsible

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Reducing carbon footprints important to consumers, actions vary

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Most consumers say net zero is important, but fewer think it is achievable

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Many respondents say sustainability is a duty for all, including themselves

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*of those with children

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Home energy actions

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People are likely to make simple energy changes this winter

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Most are ready to invest in energy efficiency in the next year

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Energy efficient smart home technology

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People view some smart tech much more likely to require expert help

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The importance of energy efficient smart home tech varies across countries

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Over half of consumers find smart home tech expensive but 46% believe it makes life easier and should be standard in all new homes

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Consumers think visible smart tech will reduce energy more

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Electrical panels

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16% of consumers don’t know where their panel is located; 30% don't know what it does

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Internal

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Consumers are less sure if new tech requires a panel upgrade

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Artificial intelligence

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Many consumers are reluctant to engage with AI

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Appendix

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Internal

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Global consumer survey conducted across six markets in July 2021

The study was conducted amongst 8,019 respondents across 6 markets:

  • France – 1,003 respondents
  • Spain – 1,006 respondents
  • Sweden – 1,004 respondents
  • UK – 2,001 respondents
  • USA – 2,001 respondents
  • Australia – 1,004 respondents

The survey was conducted online via a survey form, in the respondents’ native language with translations provided by a professional translation company. Questions that involved elements such as currency and political parties, were customized for each market.

The research was collected by OPINIUM, a strategic insight agency that uses the right approach and methodology to deliver robust insights, strategic counsel and targeted recommendations that generate change and positive outcomes.

Methodology 2020, 2021, and 2023 surveys

Confidential Property of Schneider Electric |

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Global consumer survey conducted across six markets in July - November 2020

The study was conducted amongst 7,000 respondents across 6 markets:

 

  • France – 1,000 respondents
  • Spain – 1,000 respondents
  • Sweden – 1,000 respondents
  • UK – 2,000 respondents
  • USA – 1,000 respondents
  • Germany – 1,000 respondents

 

The survey was conducted online via a survey form, in the respondents’ native language with translations provided by a professional translation company.

Questions that involved elements such as currency and political parties, were customized for each market.

The research was collected by OPINIUM (U.K. and Spain), and by Edelman (U.S., France, Germany and Sweden).

Global consumer survey conducted across six markets in August - September 2023

The study was conducted amongst 9,000 respondents across 7 markets:

  • France – 1,000 respondents
  • Spain – 1,000 respondents
  • Sweden – 1,000 respondents
  • UK – 2,000 respondents
  • USA – 2,000 respondents
  • Australia – 1,000 respondents
  • Germany – 1,000 respondents

The survey was conducted online via a survey form, in the respondents’ native language with translations provided by a professional translation company. Questions that involved elements such as currency and political parties, were customized for each market.

The research was collected by OPINIUM, a strategic insight agency that uses the right approach and methodology to deliver robust insights, strategic counsel and targeted recommendations that generate change and positive outcomes.

Internal

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Internal