A recent US & UK “smart home energy management’” consumer survey from IMS Research split respondents by attitude to demand-response programs. A demand-response program consists of ‘smart’ (communications network-enabled) in-home devices that react to signals from electricity providers, to reduce electricity consumption in times of peak-demand.

 

Those with a positive attitude to demand-response selected, on average, 2.75 devices that they would allow to participate in such a program, in exchange for a financial incentive.

 

Significant differences in demographic and attitudinal data were found between ‘demand-response positive’ and ‘demand-response negative’ respondents. Key differences include what type of financial incentive would motivate each group to take part in a demand-response program.

 

Lisa Arrowsmith, Market Analyst at IMS Research, explains, “demand response positive" respondents found time-of-use pricing to be the most motivating financial incentive to encourage demand-response participation. In contrast, ‘demand-response negative’ respondents would consider a percentage rebate from their annual electricity bills more compelling”.

 

This consumer survey analyzed the attitudes and expectations of 1,000 respondents (500 in the UK, and 500 in the US), to find out their views on a variety of smart home energy management functions, including attitudes to demand response, and willingness to pay for remote home management functions.