Parks Associates reports consumer interest in lifestyle improvement (65%) as strong as demand for cost savings (68%) in motivating home upgrades

While consumer awareness of smart grids remains low, U.S. households are still taking energy-saving actions themselves, with roughly 80% making energy-related improvements in their home, according to international research firm Parks Associates. The firm also reports perceptions of energy-efficient solutions are expanding, with consumers showing near equal interest in lifestyle enhancements as well as cost savings in motivating these changes.

Parks Associates will host Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer on January 24-26, 2011, in Austin, Texas, which will feature the session "Opportunities beyond the HAN" to discuss new opportunities for energy-related solutions, including smart appliances and electric vehicles.

"While 68% of households have made home improvements to save on their utility bill, almost two-thirds cite personal comfort as another primary reason for making upgrades," said Bill Ablondi, director, home systems research, Parks Associates. "Our Residential Energy Management project shows consumers associate energy-efficient products and services as means to improve and upgrade their homes as well as save money. Providers and manufacturers can tap into this motivator to expand adoption."

Parks Associates reports only 12% of U.S. consumers have strong familiarity with the term smart grid, essentially unchanged from 11% in 2009, indicating utilities and companies providing utility-related solutions must invest in education and marketing to capture consumer interest.

"Opportunities beyond the HAN," 1:45 p.m. on January 26, will feature the following speakers:

Utz Baldwin, CEO, CEDIA

Andy Melder, Powerline Marketing, Broadcom

JT Thompson, Utility Sales Leader, GE Appliances and Lighting

Smart Energy Summit is the premier event examining business opportunities and technical challenges as smart grid technologies move into the home. The agenda features keynote speakers from IBM, Grid Net, and the U.S. Department of Commerce and includes interactive panels and presentations focused on strategies to demonstrate the value proposition of new energy management products, services, and standards.

Visit www.smartenergysummit2011.com or contact 972-490-1113, [email protected] for information.

About Smart Energy Summit

Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer addresses the evolution of the consumer utility market, the impact of COVID-19 on energy management programs, and new opportunities to drive engagement in utility-sponsored programs. Virtual panels and networking sessions, featuring executive-level experts from multiple industries, address strategies for utilities, service providers, retailers, software providers, and manufacturers to expand and monetize energy management and other energy-focused offerings through consumer engagement, new business models, unique partnerships, and innovative technologies.

Smart Energy Summit features an in-person conference February 13-15 at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, with virtual sessions on June 15, August 17, and November 9. The summit agenda features leaders from utilities, state and national regulators, telecom and security companies, retailers, and OEMs. Follow the event on Twitter at @SmartEnergySmt and #SmartEnergy23. For information on speaking, sponsoring, or attending Smart Energy Summit, visit www.smartenergysmt.com.
 

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