"energy" articles

Utility programs designed to reduce residential energy consumption have been available for decades. However, consumer participation in these programs is very limited. Currently, only 19% of US internet households use a time-of-use (TOU) rate plan from their utility or energy provider. A lack of consumer awareness and lack of consumer engagement with energy consumption and conservation act as barriers to the adoption of these programs. Customers who invest in energy...

Last week, Parks Associates hosted a virtual session “ Home Energy Management Solutions: Driving Energy Savings ,” Thursday, June 30, as part of the 13th annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer . In these sessions, we shared our research and also conversations from the industry on consumer adoption of smart energy devices and interest in energy management use cases. Our latest consumer study, “ Smart Energy at Home: Renewable, Responsive, Resilient ,” reveals most...

Parks Associates continues its thirteenth-annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer with the virtual session, Home Energy Management Solutions: Driving Energy Savings , on Thursday, June, 30 from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM CT. Advait Katarki, Business Development Manager - Connected Solutions & EV Charging Infrastructure, Eaton will be featured on the interactive panel, Smart Apartments and Energy Platforms , at 11:15 AM CT, addressing the business and consumer value of...

The California Energy Commission is responsible for ensuring new and existing buildings improve energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. Title 24, Part 6 covers the specific details regarding all low-rise residential buildings including single-family home new construction, which is the focus of the report. Local agencies enforce and verify compliance to the codes. Codes are updated every three years to incorporate new technologies and construction techniques that are...

AutoGrid, which specializes in AI-driven optimization for distributed energy resources (DERs), has just announced that it will be acquired by Schneider Electric. The two companies have been working together since 2015 and in 2020, they introduced an integrated solution focused on digital transformation for utilities. Once the agreement passes regulatory approval and the usual closing conditions, the deal is expected to close in Q3. Parks Associates’ research reveals that smart...

Multi-dwelling unit managers and owners who opt to install smart home solutions can leverage their investments to promote their properties and attract new residents, and providing these in-unit devices to residents can increase occupancy and justify higher rents per unit. The primary benefits of in-unit products have easy value propositions for consumers to understand: access control and energy management solutions. Access and Control Smart door locks Residents...

Smart lighting has yet to capture the imagination of most consumers, in part due to a lack of familiarity and in part due to the industry’s poor use case explanations. Significant opportunity still exists in the smart lighting category. Smart Lighting Devices Smart lighting devices belong in the family of smart home energy devices and are comprised of three categories – smart light bulbs, smart in-wall switches, and smart plugs/adapter modules. Unlike traditional...

Data analytics solutions, including disaggregation and energy modeling, provide detailed information and real-time feedback that can inform energy providers' home energy efficiency and demand response programs. Data sources include interval energy consumption data from meter data management systems and devices in the home such as thermostats and major appliances. The effectiveness of many energy programs is tied to applying this type of technology. More consumers see the benefits of...