The next generation of home energy usage
Our homes represent comfort, security, and the heart of our daily lives. But routines change. With remote work, digital learning, and streaming entertainment becoming the norm, our living spaces are being pushed to new limits, especially when it comes to energy consumption.
Across Europe and beyond, households are feeling the squeeze from persistent energy price hikes and ongoing global uncertainties. From geopolitical tensions to supply chain disruption, these forces are driving up costs and making it harder for families to balance their budgets.
In this landscape of uncertainty, the way we power our homes needs to keep pace. Embracing smarter, more efficient technologies isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s a necessity. By harnessing intelligent solutions to minimize waste and maximize efficiency, families can take control of their energy use, reduce expenses, and buffer themselves against unpredictable market swings. Today’s innovations even allow for seamless automation, making energy efficiency effortless.
But the benefits go far beyond the bottom line. Energy efficiency is a cornerstone of sustainability, playing a vital role in reducing carbon footprints and supporting environmental goals, regardless of the economic climate.
A new perspective on household energy use
A recent global survey conducted by Schneider Electric highlights the shift in attitudes toward home energy efficiency. The report, which surveyed 13,000 people
from 11 countries across the world, found that a significant majority (84 percent) identified energy efficiency as their most desired home improvement, and 70 percent expressed that reducing their carbon footprint is important to them.
Often, the hardest thing to change can be people’s attitudes, so it’s encouraging to see more people acknowledging the importance of sustainable improvements. This may have been a result of rising energy costs in recent years, which acted as a catalyst to changing attitudes around energy efficiency. That said, the findings also reveal a disconnect. While small actions – like turning off lights or unplugging unused devices- are widely practiced, fewer people are taking high-impact actions. For example, the vast majority of energy usage in homes goes to heating and cooling, so adjusting the thermostat to an appropriate temperature can significantly cut down energy usage.
Clearly, there is an opportunity to close this knowledge gap and empower homeowners to make smarter energy choices.
The smartest action is to have the right temperature at the right time and place thanks to automation and control.
From awareness to action
Home energy use has a major part to play in global decarbonization, today accounting for around 20 percent of global CO2 emissions. This makes energy management one of the most significant ways individuals can contribute to sustainability efforts. The challenge lies in how we heat, cool, and power our homes – often with inefficient practices that waste both energy and money.
Half of the solution is to integrate clean, renewable energy into your home – either by purchasing directly from the grid or producing it yourself. For many households, high upfront costs and ongoing maintenance of solar technology presents a barrier, although this technology has become much more accessible in recent years.
The other half of the solution – arguably the easier and quicker path – is to tackle energy demand with more electrification and smarter energy use. Adjusting everyday behaviors while also leveraging energy-efficient technologies and automation can make a huge difference. For example, what many people don’t realize is that just small temperature adjustments to heating and cooling (which typically account for the largest portion of home energy use) can significantly cut energy consumption. Smart thermostats, powered by AI and machine learning (ML), can automate this process, dynamically optimizing temperatures based on occupancy patterns and external weather conditions.
Smart solutions for cost-effective living
Digital technology is a game-changer for home energy efficiency, and the good news is that it already exists today. Smart home devices, such as Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS), not only monitor energy usage but also automate optimization without requiring user input. These systems leverage AI to analyze real-time energy data, automatically adjusting appliance usage, shifting energy-intensive tasks to off-peak hours, and integrating with smart grids to respond to price fluctuations.
Despite their benefits, adoption of smart home technologies remains low. Schneider Electric’s survey revealed that only 21 percent have installed smart thermostats. The most common barrier? Cost. Around half (52 percent) of consumers perceive these technologies as expensive, even though connected homes can achieve energy savings of up to 22 percent. These investments can pay off quickly. Our previous research found that 25 percent of homeowners who invested in energy efficiency measures reported seeing a return on investment within just one to three years – before then continuing to benefit from cost and carbon savings, permanently. This is thanks to the ability of smart home solutions to automatically adjust heating and cooling in unoccupied rooms or shift energy use to off-peak hours, reducing both costs and emissions without sacrificing convenience.
Empowering change, one home at a time
The choices we make within our own four walls ripple far beyond our front doors. By embracing intelligent home energy solutions, we can each play a meaningful role in shaping a more sustainable tomorrow.
Whether it’s taking simple steps to optimize daily energy use or investing in cutting-edge technology, every action counts. Now is the moment to get involved. By making conscious decisions today, we can collectively drive progress and build a brighter, greener future – starting right at home.
For a list of the sources used in this article, please contact the editor or click links highlighted.
By Frédéric Godemel
Frédéric Godemel is EVP Energy Management, Schneider Electric. Schneider’s purpose is to create impact by empowering all to make the most of energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. At Schneider, that is called Life Is On.