IoT research workshop addresses consumer adoption of smart energy and the role of incentives in expanding engagement in residential energy management
Smart energy research by international research firm Parks Associates reveals only 30% of U.S. broadband households believe that smart thermostats are affordable and only 18% of consumers would purchase one of these devices for $250, the historic price point for products such as Nest, ecobee, and Honeywell Lyric. Parks Associates will present consumer research and strategies to increase adoption of smart energy solutions during the research workshop “The Role of Energy Providers in the Smart Home” prior to the start of the ninth-annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer.
“Utilities are actively working with device manufacturers to drive adoption of energy-saving solutions,” said Tom Kerber, Director, IoT Strategy, Parks Associates. “Smart thermostats have demonstrated significant energy savings, and financial incentives have a dramatic impact on the value judgement made by consumers. Offering a $100 rebate on a smart thermostat more than doubles the percentage of homes that intend to purchase the product.”
The research workshop takes place Monday, February 19, and includes detailed findings from Parks Associates’ consumer and industry studies on the smart home, IoT, and energy management markets.
Topics for the workshop include:
- Crossing the Chasm: Smart Home Solutions
- Expanding Adoption
- Incentivizing the Smart Home
- Whole Home Energy Efficiency
- Utility Role in the Smart Home
- Moving into the Smart Home
- Time-of-Use and DR Incentives
- Successful Rollout of TOU
- HVAC Maintenance Services
- Energy Providers and HVAC Services
- Solar and Storage
- Moving the Residential PV Market Forward
The 2018 Smart Energy Summit, which will be held February 19-21 at the Omni Austin Downtown in Austin, Texas, includes keynotes by executives from Itron and Meritage Homes. The event will feature more than 300 high-level executives in an intimate networking environment and the agenda includes keynotes, presentations, and speaker panels from experts in energy management, with discussions on current technologies and consumer research. Conference sponsorsinclude Rapid Response, Affinegy, Alarm.com, Austin Energy, Carrier, Innotrail, Powerley, Trusource Labs, The Weather Company, and Whisker Labs.
Parks Associatesis accepting press pass requests for Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer at www.parksassociates.com/ses-presspass. To speak with an analyst or request specific research data, contact Julia Homier at Julia.homier@parksassociates.com or 972-996-0214.
About Smart Energy Summit
The 17th annual Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer addresses the rising demand for energy, accelerated by the growth of data centers and AI, and its impact on energy management, renewable adoption, and grid modernization. Organized by Parks Associates and co-located with DISTRIBUTECH, Smart Energy Summit brings together leaders from energy, smart home, and technology industries to explore strategies and partnerships critical to the energy transition.
Smart Energy Summit takes place February 3-4, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center. It will focus on integrating smart energy solutions, leveraging AI and IoT for home energy management, and tackling challenges in demand response and grid orchestration. Supported by Parks Associates’ consumer and industry research, the event provides key insights into market trends and the path forward for utilities, technology providers, and consumer brands.
Follow #SmartEnergy26 on Parks Associates’ LinkedIn. For information on speaking, sponsoring, or attending Smart Energy Summit, visit www.smartenergysmt.com.
