A recent Schneider Electric survey sheds light on the disconnect between consumers’ sustainability goals and their actual energy-saving practices.
While a significant majority—70%—recognizes the importance of reducing their carbon footprint, most homeowners still rely on ineffective methods, such as switching off lights (58%) or unplugging chargers (48%), despite their minimal impact on total energy costs.
In contrast, only 44% adjust their home temperatures, even though heating and cooling account for over 50% of a household’s energy consumption.
Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, published these findings in the latest edition of its consumer survey, detailed in the white paper Evolving Home Energy Consumption: Intentions, Actions, and Hurdles to Greater Home Energy Efficiency.
The report, based on responses from 13,000 consumers across 11 countries, explores global attitudes toward home energy efficiency, sustainability, and smart technology adoption.
A Gap Between Awareness and Implementation
As energy consumption continues to rise alongside increasing costs and climate-related concerns, the survey highlights a clear gap between consumer awareness and action. Notably:
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82% of respondents rate energy efficiency as at least “somewhat important.”
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84% consider it a priority for home improvements.
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70% say reducing their carbon footprint is personally important.
Despite this, many homeowners fail to take high-impact steps to reduce energy use. Instead of optimizing heating and cooling, most prioritize switching off lights, which contribute only 5% of an average household’s electricity bill.
Smart Home Tech: Underutilized Potential
The report also reveals widespread misconceptions about smart home technology. While 52% of consumers believe smart lighting boosts energy efficiency, just 24% have adopted it. Even fewer—21%—own smart thermostats, despite their potential to reduce energy bills by up to 30%.
Additionally, this year’s survey examined perspectives on artificial intelligence (AI) in home energy management. While AI-driven solutions could potentially cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 10%, many consumers remain skeptical:
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44% say they would never rely on AI for household tasks.
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35% don’t fully understand AI’s role in energy management.
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41% prefer to avoid AI entirely.
The report also exposes a significant knowledge gap regarding essential home energy systems. Approximately 30% of respondents don’t understand their home’s electrical panel, and 16% are unaware of its location. Given that the panel plays a crucial role in managing household power safely, this lack of awareness poses potential safety risks as homes become increasingly electrified.
According to Michael Lotfy Gierges, Executive Vice President of Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric, homeowners need more education on high-impact energy solutions. “Consumers aim to lower their energy bills, improve reliability, and enhance efficiency, yet a disconnect remains between awareness and meaningful action. The technology is available today, but knowledge of its most effective applications is lacking,” he explained.